EU Demo on ICZM: Co-operation, integrated management and sustainable development in the coastal zones of the European Union-Portugal

The Lima valley, in northern Portugal, covers 1276 km2 with 26 km of coastline. Its has a population of 170 000, with a density of 133 / km2. The region is traversed by the Lima river, from the interior (Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca) to the coast (Viana do Castelo), where the river emerges into the sea. In the Lima valley, the unemployment rate is 6.5% and 49.5% of the population works in local companies. The international port of Viana do Castelo has maritime links with various ports of the world and operates freight services with an annual capacity of 800 000 tonnes. Valíma is the name of the Association of the Municipalities of the Vale do Lima, namely Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo.

Valíma is taking part in the Concercost project with the following objectives:

• To draft strategic management documents in the economic and social field for VALIMA.
• To emphasise the link between planning and ecology, in order to facilitate the implementation of an integrated and coherent action plan.
• To attract people to settle and work in the municipalities in the interior of the valley.

VALIMA is responsible for the following:

• Setting up the TERRA network, Institutional Committee, Management Committee, Committee of Experts and Forum.
• Drafting the strategic development plan for the Vale do Lima.