In principle UCIT represents a philosophy that aims to conveniently combine data, models and tools for analysis for the benefit of end users and researchers. It is developed with the "frame of reference"-approach as a basis as described in Van Koningsveld et al. (2004).
The UCIT philosophy: data, models an analysis tools
Van Koningsveld et al. (2005) describe the development of the UCIT concept and an experimental application of this concept to Dutch coastal managment. UCIT is developed with the "frame of reference"-approach as a basis. The "frame of reference"-approach, developed by Van Koningsveld (2003) aims to facilitate the communication between researchers and end users of research, in a practice oriented research context. To facilitate the step from conceptual to actual quantitative information the conceptual frame of reference was expanded to a more concrete instrument, viz. UCIT (see Figure 2).
A fundamental notion behind UCIT is that for stretches of coast that are regularly monitored and constantly subject to management activities, the same data, models and Coastal State Indicators (CSIs) are used time and again! Once CSIs are selected they are commonly to be extracted from the field data and to be analysed on a routine basis. Data helps to monitor a CSIs past values and trends. Models may be used to predict their future state and evolution. GIS is used for visualisation and (at least at the moment)less for a direct analysis.
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Although each UCIT has its own peculiarities, some basic steps may be identified. The next chapter focuses on a brief description of those steps.
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