Integrated, ecosystem-based Marine Spatial Planning: Design and results of a game-based, quasi-experiment

• Published in: Ocean & coastal management 2013-09, Vol.82, p.7-26
• Main Authors: Mayer, Igor, Zhou, Qiqi, Lo, Julia, Abspoel, Lodewijk, Keijser, Xander, Olsen, Erik, Nixon, Eugene, Kannen, Andreas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Geomorphology, landform evolution; issues and policy; learning; Marine and continental quaternary; planning; professionals; questionnaires; scientists; Surficial geology
• ISSN: 0964-5691; 1873-524X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2013.04.006

The authors analyse the complexity of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and explore the role that simulation gaming (SG) could play in addressing it. They present the set-up of and insights from a game-based, quasi-experimental study and policy intervention involving MSP. The simulation game MSP Challenge 2011 was played in Lisbon on 3 November 2011 by 68 international MSP professionals – mainly scientists, policy advisers and marine spatial planners – from 16 countries. Data on MSP in the various countries, as well as on the effectiveness of the policy intervention, were collected using pre-game, in-game and post-game questionnaires, combined with the analysis of MSP processes and outcomes in a digital map tool and observations. The analysis shows that MSP lends itself to comparative assessment in real and simulated environments. Observed variety and changes in the game-based intervention provide evidence that the participants engaged in experimentation with different strategies, policy change and policy-oriented learning. The game-based intervention proved an effective and promising method for national/international experimentation and exchange among professional MSP planners. •MSP has characteristics of Complex, Multi-actor Socio-Technical systems and management strategies need to address it as such.•Game-based, quasi experiments can approach MSP in an integrated fashion, combining research, learning and intervention.•Playing a complex policy game, professional-participants learnt considerably and in many aspects about the complexity of MSP.•‘Integration’ in MSP can be made more specific and measurable.