A proposal for the application of integrated coastal management for institutional arrangements in Xiamen

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) is a feasible approach to address coastal issues, including resource use conflicts, ecological environments and management issues. An institutional arrangement is a precondition for the fulfillment of management functions. Therefore, a scientific institutional arrangement must be established as soon as possible for more effective implementation of ICM. In this paper, theories on ICM institutional arrangements were analyzed. In addition, characteristics and lessons learned domestically and internationally from the ICM institutional arrangements were summarized. Finally, based on the issues encountered in the first Xiamen ICM implementation, as well as on the major existing problems faced in Xiamen's coast, establishing a new ICM institutional arrangement for Xiamen was proposed.