Project overview

The CAMP Turkey – The Bay of Izmir project was one of the first Coastal Area Management Programmes (CAMPs) implemented under the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the Barcelona Convention. It was carried out through a cooperation agreement between the Government of Türkiye and UNEP/MAP.

The project focused on the Izmir metropolitan coastal area, which had been experiencing rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and population growth since the 1960s. These processes resulted in significant environmental degradation, including marine pollution, loss of natural resources, and increasing pressure on land and water systems.

The CAMP aimed to introduce and apply Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICAM) principles in the Izmir region. A central component of the project was the preparation of an Integrated Management Study (IMS), which provided a comprehensive assessment of the environmental, socio-economic, and institutional conditions of the Izmir area and proposed a framework for sustainable coastal development.

 

Key objectives

CAMP Türkiye – The Bay of Izmir focused on improving coastal governance and management through the following objectives:

  • introduce and test ICAM approaches in the Izmir coastal area
  • analyse interactions between development processes and environmental degradation
  • provide a comprehensive environmental profile of the Izmir metropolitan area
  • define policy recommendations for sustainable coastal and marine resource use
  • support the preparation of an Integrated Coastal Master Plan (ICMP)
  • strengthen institutional coordination and management structures
  • build local capacity through training and methodological support

 

Main results

The CAMP Türkiye produced a range of analytical, strategic, and methodological outputs, many of which were pioneering within the MAP framework.

Integrated Management Study (IMS)

  • Preparation of a comprehensive Integrated Management Study for the Izmir area (1991–1993)
  • Analysis of natural resources, land use, socio-economic development, and environmental conditions and identification of key environmental problems. 

Environmental and development assessment

  • Detailed assessment of development-environment interactions
  • Identification of major pressures such as industrial pollution, wastewater discharge, and land-use conflicts
  • Evaluation of future development scenarios 

Policy framework and recommendations

  • Definition of goals and policy recommendations for sustainable development
  • Proposal of urgent and medium-term measures to address environmental degradation
  • Emphasis on balancing socio-economic growth with environmental protection

ICAM framework and institutional arrangements

  • Introduction of Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICAM) as a continuous and adaptive process 
  • Proposal for establishing coordinated institutional structures (e.g. coastal management committees)
  • Identification of the need for improved vertical and horizontal coordination among authorities 

Preparation of the Integrated Coastal Master Plan (ICMP)

  • Definition of the methodological approach for preparing the ICMP
  • Proposal of planning phases, data requirements, and organisational arrangements
  • Recommendation to develop a long-term strategic planning instrument for the Izmir coastal area

Capacity building and tools

  • Training of local experts in ICAM methodology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Development of GIS databases to support planning and decision-making 
  • Strengthening of technical and institutional capacities at local and national levels

 

Partnership

Turkiye

  • Ministry of Environment
  • Metropolitan Municipality of Izmir

UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention system

  • Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC)