Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
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The
relative weight given to text and cartographic representations in the doc-
ument
was chosen as a criterion to assess the emphasis given to carto-
graphic representation in strategic spatial plans in different planning
traditions. The rationale behind this criterion is that the more use is made of
'visual language' in existing spatial plans the better prepared planning actors
are to 'read' and communicate through cartographic representations in other
settings than their domestic one. Further, it gives an indication of how 'spa-
tially conscious' (Healey, 2006) a planning tradition is. If the majority of policy
options discussed in the policy text are also represented on the 'policy map',
then this could be an indication that much thought has been given to the
'spatial impacts' of policy aims and options in a particular planning tradition.
Several aspects have been chosen to analyse this relationship between
'text' and 'maps'. First, by setting the number of pages in the planning docu-
ment (i.e. the written text) in relation to the number of cartographic illustra-
tions (i.e. analytical and policy maps, but excluding photographs and other
non-cartographic illustrations). Second, by undertaking a content analysis to
explore the relationship between the themes and policy options discussed in
the plan text, and those that are represented on the 'policy map'. This again
gives an insight into the 'spatiality' of the chosen policy options, and the com-
prehensiveness of the cartographic representations, and will help to discover
patterns of those themes that generally tend to be cartographically represented
to the detriment of others (or, in Forester's (1989) words, lead to structural
distortions).
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The criterion of the
visual hierarchy
, or what Harley (1989) has called the
'rules of social order', relates to the visually most dominant elements in the
cartographic representation of spatial policy. This is a subjective method to
identify those elements on the policy map that 'stand out' and therefore
attract the attention of the reader. This can give clues about the issues that
are deemed most important for cartographic representation.
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The last category to express the 'linguistic structure' of 'policy maps' relates
to the
spatial positioning and 'connectivity'
of the planning area. This focuses
on an analysis of how the 'geographical context' of the planning region is
depicted (i.e. whether neighbouring regions, or the wider geographical
context are represented, or whether the planned area is represented as an
'unconnected island'). Furthermore, the analytical framework covers an
assessment of the 'connectivity' of the region, i.e. a representation of
'network space' (cf. Graham and Healey, 1999; Hajer and Zonneveld, 2000)
or of underlying functional interdependences (cf. Ormeling, 1992). This
appears particularly relevant in collaborative planning processes where plan-
ners are expected to think outside their own territories, and where experience
