An Overview of Criteria and Scenarios Relevant for Development of Seaports of County and Local Importance in the Republic of Croatia

The development of seaports is a complex process influenced by a number of external factors, from the economic ones to the social environment. Seaports differ from each other in their spatial and functional characteristics, the complexity and purpose of their operation, as well as the need for investment and additional construction of port infrastructure and superstructure, so their development must be approached analytically. In order for the proposed development guidelines to be applicable to ports with similar characteristics, it is necessary to define criteria for their classification. Relevant criteria for classifying and planning the development of seaports are derived from: laws and regulations established by legal regulations, goals and plans proposed by current strategic documents, and spatial plans that set the conditions for planning, forming and developing ports in a certain area. The purpose of this scientific work is to determine which national and regional regulations and documents affect the development of regional ports in the Republic of Croatia, and to define classification criteria that will serve as a basis for the formation of development directions for seaports.