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Urbanization is a worldwide phenomenon and a major driver of global environmental change. For example, 75 % of the annual CO2 emissions are produced in cities and towns. Currently, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, this proportion is predicted to increase to 66 % (UN World Urbanization Prospects 2014).

Coasts around the world are subject to intense and increasing pressures, with environmental and economic implications for present and future generations. Housing, tourism, industry, marine transport, fishing and aquaculture are some examples of competing coastal resource uses. In the Baltic Sea region environmental problems related to these human activities include water pollution, loss of biodiversity and negative impacts on the aesthetic qualities of coastal landscapes. The deterioration of the quality of the environment and natural resources in many coastal regions has been recently noted e.g. by the European Commission (1995: 5).