An assessment of costa Rica's coastal management program

Abstract

Costa Rica has a long customary and legal history of reserving its Pacific Coast and Caribbean Sea for public benefit. The most important law for the management of the coast, enacted in 1977, focuses on the zona maritimo‐terrestre (the marine and terrestrial zone). It has been actively implemented by national and local government. Costa Rica thus has the distinction of possessing the longest history (now 12 years) of coastal program implementation among developing nations. A review of the literature on environmental management in developing countries indicates that there are few other success stories. The analysis of Costa Rica's program demonstrates that it has achieved many of its objectives. The public has more access to the beaches, the aesthetic quality of coastal development has improved, and important coastal habitats have more protection. Seven factors are selected to explain why the program is succeeding. Although the program is 12 years old, there is still much work to be done. The institutional and implementation arrangements are sound and provide optimism that the program will continue its record of achievement.