Aqaba Gulf: Difference between revisions

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The heavy and continuous multi-use of the Aqaba Gulf in Tourism and industry have resulted in great load and damage of the coral reefs and demanded the authorities' attention to initiate guidelines for using the coastline feasibly but at the same time to conserve its environmental value. Therefore, and based on the guidelines listed in this plan part of the coral reef has been translocated to the Marine Park of Aqaba and the industrial zone has been moved to the most southern part of the coast.
The heavy and continuous multi-use of the Aqaba Gulf in Tourism and industry have resulted in great load and damage of the coral reefs and demanded the authorities' attention to initiate guidelines for using the coastline feasibly but at the same time to conserve its environmental value. Therefore, and based on the guidelines listed in this plan part of the coral reef has been translocated to the Marine Park of Aqaba and the industrial zone has been moved to the most southern part of the coast.
''''' 3. EU Nature Protection Policy/ European Commission Natura 2000'' -  European Policy'''
The goal of this policy is to stop the loss of Biodiversity on the European and the global scale by the year 2020, due to its importance to both our health and economy. Therefore, in 2011, the EU has adopted a strategy listing 6 targets and 20 actions to reach its goal of protecting the ecosystem and its services. And over the past 25 years, they have built the largest network of protected areas in the World known as Natura 2000, and their understanding is that protection alone is not enough so they have connected these PAs using green infrastructure to restore the ecosystem services and allow the different species to thrive across the EU's outstanding achievement '''''Natura 2000'''''.


== A.4 References ==
== A.4 References ==

Revision as of 09:05, 29 April 2018

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Area Aqaba Gulf
Place Aqaba
Country Jordan
Topics Tourism Industry
Author(s) Mohammad, Nawar & Reem
Case Study Area Aqaba.png

Rationale

  • Aqaba is a primary tourist destination for locals and foreigners and one of the key diving locations in the world, due to its world-known coral reefs. In addition, the Gulf of Aqaba is the only seaport in the country of Jordan, which led to the presence of international trade in the area. Moreover, it is considered as international waters with Israel which is raising political conflicts and competitions in tourism strategies in the past few years. These factors are demanding and leading to an accelerating economic development to transform the area into a sustainable economic growth and touristic engine for the country, leaving heavy pressures on the coastal landscapes in the area, and as a result, it has raised our curiosity to understand the coastal landscape management plan in the area.

Location and scope

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A Landscape System Analysis

A.1 Landscape layers and their system context

Geomorphology, landscape units and coastal typology

The Gulf of Aqaba (GOA) is one of the two waterways that originate from the northern margin of the Red Sea, which is about 165 kilometers long, with an average width of 20 kilometers and 800 meters deep. It is also a developing rift at the southern end of the dead sea transform system. The whole structure is a part of the Syrian–African rift valley, which is flanked by a mixture of mountains and deserts both to the east and the west. The southern end of this important waterway is separated from the Red Sea by a shallow sill at the Straits of Tiran. The Fossil reefs indicate that in the past 7000 Years the Red Sea level was stable and vertical tectonic movements were negligible. Geological Studies indicate sedimentary structures from two trenches dug in beach sediments buried and emerged fossil reefs and the local submarine slope morphology. The GOA has been subject to rapid changes due to the Urban and industrial expansions, as well as, the dramatic appearance of Touristic resorts along the shoreline.

Land use

Green/blue infrastructure

  • What are the major potential elements of a green/blue infrastructure network? Are these likely to change/disappear? Why is that?


Actors and stakeholders

  • The main driving forces behind the change of the Landscape in Aqaba are the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) which is the main authority body in the city, as well as, the investors and the shareholders who are dramatically investing in the Recreational and Touristic sector. Local residents are the most affected by these changes since all the public beaches are now being transformed into 5 Stars resort beaches, which can only be used by the resorts' guests.

Sacred spaces and heritage

  • Aside from the diving tourism which Aqaba is famous for, there are several sites with religious, historical and cultural values to the locals and tourists, and some tourists come from Eilat and other neighboring countries to celebrate these sites.

Visual appearance and landscape narrative

  • There are several elements that characterize the landscape such as the high mountains surrounding the city, the sandy desert and the Red Sea with its rich coral reef.

A.2 Summary of you landscape system analysis and your development Targets

The goals that according to our drivers could be at risk include numbers 13, 14, and 15. Starting with climate action that has not been brought up by any of the local related parties. No action from local community or authorities is being taken towards the risks that are caused by the climate change that in return affect goal number 14 which is the life under water. Coral reefs dating back to more than 6000 years ago are at huge risk with all the encouraged increasing tourism in the area. Goal number 15, life on land, is another one at risk as to attention only given to the areas near the coast and the huge investments done there while excluding many people from their right to access and experience the coastal landscape


A.3 Theory reflection

1. National Aqaba Ecotourism Development Plan (2014) - National Policy

A document prepared as a guideline for the project of Mainstreaming Marine Biodiversity Conservation into Coastal Zone Management in Aqaba. The most important guidelines were related to the promotion of Biodiversity friendly investments, as well as, the biodiversity conservation and coral reef protection plan, which had been partially applied in some of the coastal resorts constructed during the years 2015 - 2017, and some resorts have not applied these guidelines such the Ayla Project.


2. Aqaba Translocation Project Plan (2014) - National Policy

The heavy and continuous multi-use of the Aqaba Gulf in Tourism and industry have resulted in great load and damage of the coral reefs and demanded the authorities' attention to initiate guidelines for using the coastline feasibly but at the same time to conserve its environmental value. Therefore, and based on the guidelines listed in this plan part of the coral reef has been translocated to the Marine Park of Aqaba and the industrial zone has been moved to the most southern part of the coast.


3. EU Nature Protection Policy/ European Commission Natura 2000 - European Policy

The goal of this policy is to stop the loss of Biodiversity on the European and the global scale by the year 2020, due to its importance to both our health and economy. Therefore, in 2011, the EU has adopted a strategy listing 6 targets and 20 actions to reach its goal of protecting the ecosystem and its services. And over the past 25 years, they have built the largest network of protected areas in the World known as Natura 2000, and their understanding is that protection alone is not enough so they have connected these PAs using green infrastructure to restore the ecosystem services and allow the different species to thrive across the EU's outstanding achievement Natura 2000.

A.4 References

Phase B: Landscape Evaluation and Assessment

B.1 Assessment Strategy

  • Based on the hypothesis derived from your previous landscape systems analysis you are now asked to define the goals for assessing the landscape. Your assessment is the basis for evaluating the landscape status.
  • Which elements and phenomena need to be mapped, why and how?
  • This a text contribution, max 250 words

B.2 Mapping

  • As defined by your assessment strategy you conduct the mapping and present your findings here
  • As a minimum, at least three different themes need to be mapped, you may choose more if needed

B.3 Problem definition and priority setting

  • Give a summary of the major findings of your mapping process, what are the problems/potentials identified?
  • Draw a problems/potentials map
  • Set priorities for the most relevant issues

B.4 Theory reflection

  • Please reflect the assessment and evaluation methods used based on at least three readings
  • Did you encounter limitations'
  • 200 words test contribution

B.5 References

  • give a full list of the references you have used for this section

Phase C – Strategy and Master Plan

C.1 Goal Setting

  • Define strategic planning objectives based on the evaluation findings
  • Link back to your original targets from section one and the Development Goals
  • 150 words text contribution

C.2 Spatial Strategy and Transect

  • translate your strategic goals into a vision
  • develop a spatial translation of your vision
  • exemplify your vision in the form of a transect with concrete interventions
  • add map(s) and visualizations

C.3 From Theory of Change to Implementation

  • For implementing your vision: Which partnerships are needed? Which governance model is required?
  • Who needs to act and how? Draw and explain a change/process model/timeline
  • Which resources are needed? On which assets can you build?
  • add 150 words text and visuals

C.4 References

  • give a full list of the references you have used for this section

D. Process Reflection

  • Reflect in your intercultural and interdisciplinary team on the outcomes of your study
  • Which limitations were you facing?
  • What have you learnt from each other?
  • What would you do differently next time?
  • You can also use diagrams/visuals
  • 250 words text