Policy Analysis for Performance Assessment of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Initiatives for Coastal Sustainability

Integrated Coastal Management (ICZM) is a process which ensures a balance between coastal demands related to the socio economic and environmental aspects. Throughout the globe, coastal zones are of strategic importance because of their aesthetic attributes. An ICZM policy is regarded as a way to improve the quality of life of communities dependent on coastal zone resources and maintain the existing biodiversity and ecosystems. It is also a guide of concerted future actions from stakeholders that may be adopted to attain the goals of ICZM. The ICZM process in many countries has known difficulties owing to loopholes at different levels. In this paper, an analysis of ICZM policies for three countries has been carried out. The results also show that ICZM in the three countries are at different levels of progress in terms of performance and reveals a series of factors that either hinders or promotes the process of ICZM.