An Innovative Approach to National Park Creation

Sustainable development has become one of the most discussed and interest arousing topics of the 21st century. At a time of extensive exploitation of coastal and marine zones, proper and deliberate management is a necessity due to their high environmental, social and economical importance.
The present study uses a Multi-Criteria Analysis technique (Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis) in order to examine how National Park designation can contribute to the integrated management of Argyll Islands and Coast in west Scotland. Both marine and ground candidate areas can be assessed by the discussed method. Scoring of the criteria, in the four options studied, is realised with the ''relative preference scales'' method. Qualitative data, derived from interviewees representing different stakeholder groups, are included in the MCDA model.
The outcome is promising depending on the quantity and quality of the data input. Students, academics, decision makers and professionals in Ecological Economics will find this book an invaluable tool for project management.

Autorentext

Christina Garoufalia was born in Athens, Greece in 1981. She studied Marine Sciences at the University of the Aegean. Her thesis results were presented at the 8th Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanography & Fisheries, organised by the HCMR. This work constitutes her MSc thesis in Environmental Sustainability completed at the University of Edinburgh. Graham Russell is an ecologist who used to go sailing to escape work but who now sits on committees relating to coastal zone management in Scotland. He is in the Centre for Environmental Change and Sustainability of the University of Edinburgh and chairs the Scottish Steering Group of the Green Blue environmental initiative for recreational boating.