Improving governance through coastal partnerships in the UK

Bradshaw, Natasha

Abstract

Coastal governance exhibits particular challenges due to the different legal and policy contexts which exist for terrestrial and marine planning. UK Coastal Partnerships promote collaboration for sustainable management of coastal and estuary ecosystems.
This paper tracks their evolution over the past ten years following a publication in The Geographical Journal under a similar title (Stojanovic & Barker, 2008). It describes patterns in the evolution of Coastal Partnerships considering their internal and external
operating environment. The results indicate a 50% decline in the number of partnerships overall, with many changing their name, orientation and geographical extent of operation. The causes of this evolution are evaluated alongside an assessment of the changes in coastal governance over the past decade in the UK. Future scenarios are then considered in the context of the evolving terrestrial and marine, legal and policy environment. This review concludes that there has been significant change in the evolution of Coastal Partnerships operating at the local level over the past decade, to more regional and diverse forms of engagement with coastal communities and stakeholders. It also poses questions about the adequacy of leadership to steer the future direction of Coastal Partnerships.

Citation

Bradshaw, N. Improving governance through coastal partnerships in the UK. UWE Bristol

• Report Type: Research Report
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 29, 2022
• Keywords: UK coastal management, Coastal management, Coastal governance, Environment
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10194502
• Additional Information: This research was part of a PhD supervised by Dr Thomas Appleby and Dr Enda Hayes at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK, members of the International Water Security Network: www.watersecuritynetwork.org/uk-coastal-governance/; ; Thesis title: Enhancing Collaborative Governance for Coastal Stewardship in the UK.; Natasha Jayne Barker Bradshaw, December 2022; Faculty of Environment and Technology, University of the West of England, Bristol.; ; The research was part funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charitable foundation, helping to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research. For more information, see: www.lrfoundation.org.uk.