This a rticle briefly summarizes the types of degradation that affects the coastal and marine environment of these cities. The actions of the UN in this field are also highlighted, and in particular the contribution of sci entifically based programmes to the sustainable management of cities. This paper reviews methods and tools for spatial analysis, their integration and application to coastal zone management. Following a definition of the coastal zone, and a short description of its peculiarities and unique management problems, the paper initially describes the major tools for spatial analysis, in particular GIS and remote sensing, spatially distrib-uted simulation modelling and optimisation, and expert systems, as well as their integration in information and decision support systems. This is followed by a short review of the main paradigms of spatial analysis such as environmental impact analysis, risk assessment and policy analysis, and specific problems such as zoning and site selection.
Special emphasis is given to the issues of indus-trial development in coastal zone management.
Examples from literature are used to illustrate concepts and trends, and the discussion addresses the role of information technology in spatial analysis and its application to coastal zone management in particular. 10 CSD 9 Global Compact UN Environmental programme UN Industrial Development Future Forests Food and Agriculture Organisation International Chamber of Commerce .