Power sharing in the coastal zone: shifting roles of government in community-based coastal management

Hildebrand, Lawrence P. 2009. Power sharing in the coastal zone: shifting roles of government in community-based coastal management. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

The objective of this research is to evaluate the role of government in collaborative government-community coastal management initiatives. The research aimed specifically to: demonstrate that governments are willing to share selected management responsibilities with non-statutory community-based organizations and that the community-based organizations are willing and able to assume specific responsibilities to describe the conditions under which such power sharing occurs and to identify the specific management functions that can and are willing to be shared. This research was informed by a detailed review of a diverse literature and a specific case study of a well-developed community-based coastal management program in Atlantic Canada - the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP). This thesis hypothesized that the effective functioning and sustainability of government-community partnerships will be strengthened by a clearer definition, mutual understanding and acceptance of the shared and respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities among the government and community partners in these initiatives. The research was informed by an on-line survey and semi-structured telephone interviews with a cross-section of both community and government actors in the case study. The thesis identifies the need for a 'shifting' role for governments that enter into and support these partnership arrangements. The data show that most of the identified management functions in the case study have already shifted to a community lead, but with a clear desire for government to be involved as the collaboration continues. The significant challenges that such a shifting view and perspective require in these hybrid coastal governance partnerships are explored in depth and supported by the findings that these approaches are indeed good for government, respond to community expectations for greater and more meaningful involvement and can be strong and effective means of capitalizing on the strengths and capacities of both community and government actors in advancing Integrated Coastal Management.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography
ISBN:	9781303215360
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2018 02:58
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/54908

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