Assessing Economic Profiles of Coastal Regions in the Blue Economy: A Radar Chart Approach

This study investigates the features of regional development within the Blue Economy system, focusing on sustainable growth and resilience in coastal regions.The Blue Economy emphasizes the sustainable and equitable use of marine resources, requiring a development model that integrates economic, ecological, and social dimensions.This research explores how regional development under the Blue Economy can be understood, assessed, and supported through analytical tools.Using a multi-step tool that combines interquartile range (IQR) analysis, clustering methods, and z-score normalization, representative coastal economies are identified to provide insights into the stability, specialization, and economic efficiency of the Blue Economy.Additionally, a radar chart tool is introduced to assess and visualize the region's profiles, offering an accessible means for planning by highlighting economic strengths, vulnerabilities, and sectoral dependencies.The findings emphasize the need for a balanced development approach tailored to each region's socio-economic and ecological context to foster resilience and sustainability.Further enhancements to these tools are proposed, including incorporating additional socio-economic and ecological indicators, to broaden their applicability for comprehensive assessments of the development of the regions in the Blue Economy system.This research thus provides valuable tools for stakeholders to monitor and strengthen the economic health of coastal regions, supporting sustainable regional development within the Blue Economy.