de la Peña Zarzuelo, I.; Canales ELorduy, I. (2021). “Port authority’s contribution to coastal protection in Spain: methodology and practical application to manage surplus property revaluing idle coastal infrastructures and protecting public heritage” Jorunal of Coastal Conservation (2021), 25(2): 1-20

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-020-00792-2

ABSTRACT: Surplus Property occurs when some assets are retained by an entity, but they are not currently being fully utilized because they are obsolete, out of date or simply they are no longer providing the service they were built or procured for. Thus, these assets remain fully or partially idle. This is a typical effect affecting some public entities being Port Authorities one of them and Aids to Navigation one of their most affected properties. However, lighthouses are located in unique geographical locations, being widely visited spaces and with a high potential of attractiveness for new complementary uses. A stepped methodology to effectively manage public assets is presented with the goal of selecting those assets to be included in a Surplus Property Plan and to find the best suitable uses to be implemented in them. A real case on Ferrol – San Cibrao Port Authority located in the Northwest of Spain is presented in order to illustrate the practical application of such methodology in a set of lighthouses and other Aids to Navigation owned and managed by this Entity. Lighthouses and other aids to navigation can contribute to public coastal conservation goals if a structured plan is put in place. Otherwise, the contrary effect occurs and deterioration of these assets due to lack of use may prejudice severely the coast and public image of their owners, frequently Port Authorities. The methodology successfully used in Ferrol – San Cibrao Port Authority (Spain) can be easily extrapolated to other environments contributing to meet the Sustainable Development Goals included in the Agenda 2030 and other international commitments related to the conservation of cultural heritage as the Faro Convention of the Council of Europe.