WHEN THE CITY MEETS THE SEA: A GLOCALIZED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT MODEL

Abstract

In the past several decades, the need to protect the environment is a leading concern in international policy. Chiefly, the massive coastal construction which overloads the seas and shores and damages one of the most important natural resources. Hence, in order to allow development with minimum environmental harm, the concept of sustainability was formed. Various sustainable environmental plans and policies were established, however a “one-size-fits-all” plan is impossible due to the intricate and dynamic nature of the coastal environment worldwide. Diverse activities, interests and problems require different management strategies that are unique to countries, regions and, ultimately, a local scale. This paper analyzes the tension between international environmental legislation and their local implementation, while offering an initial glocalized coastal zone management model that takes all these aspects into consideration. Notably, this study proclaims that mankind can enjoy the natural resource without overusing it, as long as the coastline management embraces a holistic viewpoint that will combine all the forces working at hand, while being adjusted and localized to the Israeli setting.