BalticRIM will analyse the relationship between Maritime Cultural Heritage (MCH) and Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). On regional level the two stakeholder groups will collaborate to find out more about minimum criteria. Different classifying types of heritage sites will be elaborated for solid planning. Databases will be compared and improved for a better knowledge of each other’s approach.

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The project will also provide tools to structure decision-making processes and to integrate MCH within the topical implementation of MSP in the BSR. MCH experts will understand the real MSP processes and see how information has to be prepared. Opportunities provided by the MSP processes will be outlined and those management questions defined which are not solvable within the planning exercise.  Legal and management options to foster interaction between MCH and MSP will be outlined.

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Through a series of structured workshops, MCH & MSP will bring together MCH and MSP experts to jointly optimise and implement spatial planning instruments and participation processes. The workshops will result in generic conflict and synergy matrices, also as guidance for place-specific planning solutions in pilot areas (planning pilots). In these MSP pilots and related zoning exercises, partners will not only work with small heritage spots but larger areas, including those zones which can be used for terrestrial planning.

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The BalticRIM’s pilots shall showcase how optimal synergies can be created through appropriate management schemes between MCH assets and other blue growth sectors (cooperation pilots). For example, commercial opportunities for underwater tourism can be supported by planning, showing how to make it sustainable and safe for the heritage and the visitor, or how underwater heritage can be made better accessible for divers and non-divers.

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The project will result in knowledge base and standardized recommendations for planners and investors in the field of protection of MCH and surrounding ecosystems.

The target groups – aside MCH and MSP experts and authorities – are tourism, divers, aquaculture, shipping and offshore wind farmers. They will gain an increased capacity to plan or take care of MCH projects in a sustainable, spatially compatible manner.

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Working with the relevant national and regional MSP authorities, sub-regions and the BSSSC (Baltic Sea States Sub-regional Co-operation) as well as the CBSS Groups on Maritime Heritage ensure that project results are fed into political decision-making.

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The BalticRIM website will be made in the beginning of 2018. Until then read more about the project here.

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BSSSC's role

The BSSSC will support the project by discussing and communicating results e.g. within seminars and the BSSSC Annual Conferences.