Planning phases and schedule

The maritime spatial planning process, which is now being carried out for the first time, has been developed in collaboration with maritime stakeholders. The process is roughly divided into five phases that progress in the manner presented in the diagram below. Of the two Maritime Spatial Planning hearings arranged, the first was in spring 2019 and the other in spring 2020. The maritime spatial plans were approved by 18 Dec 2020.

The planning process is divided into the following more detailed phases:

1. Start-up and specification
   • Compiling an interaction plan, decision on launching and organisation of planning, compiling planning data
2. Formation of a situational picture
   • Situational picture of marine ecology
   • Situational picture of blue growth
   • Characteristics of marine areas
3. Scenario work
   • Future scenarios of blue growth and their impact on marine environment
     
   • Public consultation on the situational picture and scenarios
4. Specification of the vision and measures
   • Specification of the overall Vision 2050 for Marine area and planning area-specific visions and maritime sectors’ pathways 2030
   • Impact assessment
   • Public consultation on the plan proposals 18th May – 17th June 2020.
     
5. Finalisation of the maritime spatial plans and reporting
   • Finalisation of the plans
   • Approval of the plan
6. Implementation and monitoring
   • Continuous implementation as part of regional development and land use planning and as part of work in different industries

All planning phases include interaction with the maritime spatial planning coordination network and involved parties as outlined in the interaction plans.