Understanding territorial dynamics in coastal areas

Abstract

The study of territory dynamics (in coastal or non-coastal areas) is an essential contribution to understand Global Change. While the problems caused by these changes are diverse, all of them can put the sustainable development of a region at risk. The importance of coastal areas as a study object has emerged in recent times. This increasing significance is due to the complex activities that are present in those regions. Moreover different scientific research domains contemplate this complexity. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is defined as a dynamic, continuous and iterative process, by which decisions are made for a sustainable use, development and conservation of the coast and its resources.