Nature conservation and integrated coastal zone management in Europe: present and future

The present and future of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) in Europe is discussed with an emphasis on nature conservation. The position of nature conservation in physical planning and in legislation is discussed within the historical perspective of the Netherlands. With regard to the present position of nature conservation in planning and legislation, differences in Europe between the northwest, the south and the east are discussed. The roles of various organisations (such as NGOs, GOs, Universities and the European Union) in ICZM is briefly mentioned. The paper advocates a strong position for nature conservation in integrated coastal zone management if it is to be developed on a sustainable basis.