Introduction to the SPICOSA project and workshop aims

SPICOSA WP13 – pilot training course: Gdansk 7th - 8th October, 2008

Science and Policy Integration for COastal Systems Assessment

Introduction to the SPICOSA project

and workshop aims

SPICOSA = Science and Policy Integration for Coastal Systems Assessment



Structure:

• Facts and figures on SPICOSA.

• The SPICOSA approach

• Key concepts of SPICOSA

• Role and aim of this workshop.



Facts and figures:

• FP6 – integrated project (~€14m)

• 54 partners from EU – mostly academic

• 13 Work Packages

• WP13 – professional training

• 18 study sites (SSA’s)

• Gdansk WP7.2



The SPICOSA approach:

• Views the coast as a system with many physical and human elements AND conceptual/ methodological systems to explore and address issues.

• Popperian domains: physical/mind/information.

• Domains lack a common quality but have points of interaction between them.

• Systems Approach is the selected methodology to bring domains together.

• ...but not mechanical – evolving clockwork.



?

Clocks can change and evolve over time and situation…..….so can coasts due to natural processes or human management



8 Key concepts of SPICOSA approach:

1. Multiple domains – « worlds ».

2. Hard and soft systems.

3. Models (conceptual, mathematical & numerical).

4. Systems thinking.



8 Key concepts of SPICOSA approach:

5. Cause and effect: DPSIR.

6. Scale (size + resolution).

7. Multiple perceptions.

8. Support decision making.



Role and aim of this workshop:• SPICOSA’s role is to support « decision

making processes aiming at improving the sustainability of Coastal Systems.. ».

• We don’t « do » management.• We don’t « advise » on management.• We do provide knowledge to help

managers.• .....BUT.....



Role and aim of this workshop:

• ...SPICOSA is an academic framework

• ....SPICOSA is an uproven approach

• .....SPICOSA has the opportunity to be tested out at SSA’s (including Gdansk).




• Thus, we wish to « ground truth » the project in management reality.

• This involves interacting with « real » people (stakeholders)....like you!

• We hope you will gain insights into approaches and ways to view the coastal system.




• Thus, the aim of this workshop is « to develop awareness in Gdansk stakeholders of the SPICOSA approach and to jointly ground-truth some key aspects of the Cork site approach».




• The workshop is designed to promote interaction, free-thinking & innovation.

• Differences of views are supported!

• We will facilitate but the result is in your hands.

Documents

Introduction to the SPICOSA project and workshop aims