A method for the participatory design of an indicator system as a tool for local coastal management

This paper proposes a method for the participatory design of an indicator system as a tool for coastal management at village level. The method includes three phases: (1) a participatory process where stakeholders have the opportunity to decide the orientation of the indicator system and to define indicators, (2) the design of a hierarchical indicator structure based on the derivation of principles and criteria from stakeholder priorities and (3) a filtering process for the selection of stakeholder-defined indicators that can reflect the viability and performance of the coastal region. A case study in the Bragança coastal region of northern Brazil is presented to illustrate the method's applicability. The resultant hierarchical indicator system design includes four principles, 11 criteria and 35 indicators linked to the environmental, social, governance and economic dimensions. The indicator system can be used as a tool for measuring changes and to influence local ICM policies.