This page provides a preliminary summary on the following items for Croatia:

1. Spatial planning

The highest organ at the national level responsible for spatial planning was the Ministry of Territorial Management, Construction and Housing. But in the beginning of 2000 the ministry merged with the State Directorate for Environment and Nature Protection into the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning. Another important organ at the national level is the Ministry of Development and Reconstruction.
The system of territorial management comprises County Institutes and Offices for Physical Planning. The State Council of Physical Management evaluates documents related to spatial planning at the regional level. Within the local self-government there are departments in charge of land-use planning. Environmental protection has similar organisational structure. [18]

1.2 Coastal Policy

The land use planning system in Croatia as defined by The Law on Physical Planning is comprehensive and includes planning documents such as the National Physical Development Strategy and the Programme of Physical Development on the State level, County Physical Plans as regional level planning documents (the first generation of these planning documents is being prepared now), Comprehensive Plans of Towns and Municipalities, General Master Plans, Local Plans and Site Plans, all covering whole or parts of local jurisdictions. [19]
 
 
 

2. Environment

The highest organ at the national level responsible for the environment was the Directorate for Environment and Nature Protection. But in the beginning of 2000 the Directorate merged with the Ministry of Territorial Management and, Construction and Housing into the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning. (21) Another important organ at the national level is the State Directorate for Water. At the national level the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications also plays a role. The Council for the Environment evaluates documents relative to environmental planning at the regional level.

2.3 Environmental Policy

In Croatia Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an integrated part of the procedures preceding economic activities to evaluate if the projects can cause any considerable damage to the environment.
 
 

3. Nature Conservation

3.1 Legislation and Regulations

The highest organ at the national level responsible for nature conservation was the State Directorate for Environment and Nature Protection. But in the beginning of 2000 the Directorate merged with the Ministry of Territorial Management and, Construction and Housing into the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning. [23] Another important organ at the national level is the Directorate for Cultural and National Heritage under the Ministry of Culture. The Council for the Environment evaluates documents related to the protection of the environment. [24]

3.3 System of Protected Areas

In the coastal region, there are 107 protected objects, of which 33 objects of nature have been selected and classified in 8 protection categories; National parks, natural parks, Strict reservations, Special reservations, Park-forests, Protected landscapes, monuments of nature and Monument of park architecture. The majority of protected areas in the coastal zone concern National Parks and Nature Parks. The National Parks are areas with at least one protected ecosystem and with an exceptional value. Nature Parks are nature areas with particular values where you can exercise activities that do not endanger the essential characteristics of the park. The protected objects of nature in the coastal region cover a total area of 2,863 km², or 65% of the area covered by all the protected objects in the Republic of Croatia, which illustrates the great value, as well as sensitivity of the coastal and island areas. [25]
 
 

4. Sectoral Development

4.1 Coastal Defence

No information received.

4.2 Recreation and Tourism

The tourist sector is contributing 10-12% to the GNP and employs 180.000 people, direct or indirect. The total capacity of the tourist sector in 1990 was around 862.653 beds and 830.981 of were located in the coastal provinces. In 1992 the number of beds dropped to 2/3 of the capacity registered in 1992, mainly caused by a drop in the number of tourists (approximately 70 % foreign tourists), from 49 million in 1990 to only 9 million in 1992. After 1993 we can see a gradual and stable growth. But modernisation of the tourist sector will demand considerable investments where it is also important to create a new identity. A rich environment with high ecological values will contribute to long term development in the tourist sector.

4.3 Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fisheries are a traditional sector that is showing a decrease in the catch of fish, molluscs and crustaceans (from 48.822 tons in 1987 to 17.347 tons in 1996). Deep-sea fish like anchovy makes up the biggest part of the catch. Aquaculture is showing an increase in producing sea organisms. In 1995 25 aquaculture farms were registered, 17 on the islands and 8 on the main land. They produced 1.600 tons of fish, 600 tons of mussels and 50.000 oysters.

4.4 Transport

In 1992, the total length of the motorways in the coastal provinces is 10.879 km, of which 9.258 km is paved. But the density of motorways, especially highways is still insufficient. Croatia is planning to construct 1.600 km of motorways, mainly in this decennium, which should improve communications in Croatia.

4.5 Harbours and Shipping

Naval construction is a traditional industrial branch in Croatia. Naval construction is equally divided in the coastal provinces (Split-Dalmatia, Primorje-Gorski kotar and Istria). Naval traffic is also a traditional economic activity in the coastal provinces, with big fluctuations in revenues in the 90s. In 1996, six big naval companies, employing more than 1.000 employees, realised revenues of 500 million dollar. The main harbours, as well for goods as for passengers, are situated along the Adriatic coast. The main harbours for goods are Rijeka and Ploce. The traffic in the Croatian harbours decreased from 29.042.000 tons in 1987 to 13.875.000 tons in 1996. The number of passengers, more than 10 million in 1996, is still increasing.

4.6 Industry

The process of de-industrialisation of the Croatian economy is clearly visible from 1987. The volume of the total industrial production diminished constantly between 1987 and 1995, in 1996 there was slight progress in production. The contribution of the industrial sector to the GNP has diminished to approximately 25% in the last few years. At the same time the number of people working in the industrial sector decreased rapidly. The positive side of the de-industrialisation is the elimination of polluting technologies near the coast and the possibility of creating new economic activities that are not endangering the coastal environment.

Primorje-Gorski kotar is the most industrialised coastal province, followed by Split-Dalmatia and Istria. The main industrial plants are found around the cities of Rijeka and Split.

4.7 Agriculture

Agriculture is characterised by a constant decrease of the share of the rural in the total population. Agricultural grounds cover approximately 55% of the total surface in the 7 coastal provinces. Istria, Ravni Kotari (between the river Zrmanja and the river Krka), the valley of Split-Kaštela and the delta of the river Neretva are the most favourable areas for agricultural exploitation. The mild Mediterranean climate is particularly suitable for growing grapes, olives, fruit and vegetables, flowers and typical Mediterranean plants. A diminishing trend has been noted in the cultivation of traditional Mediterranean species that give way to other species that are less labour intensive or more profitable. The contribution of agriculture (including fisheries!) to the GNP nowadays is approximately 10%.
 
 

5. Framework for Development of ICZM

Croatia hosts the Regional Activity Centre for the Priority Actions Programme, which has been acting for almost 20 years within the Mediterranean Action Plan-UNEP. The principal activity of the Centre is integrated planning and management of coastal areas. Special stress has been placed at the implementation of the MAP Coastal Area Management Programme. Croatia actively participates in the work of other UNEP-MAP bodies, such as the Commission for Sustainable development, and is also signatory of the Agenda 21 for the Mediterranean.
 
 

6. National Achievements in the Field of ICZM

7. Problems and Constraints for the Development of ICZM

References