Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
At local level, two instruments were in place until the recent reform: a stra-
tegic Structure Plan, prepared by county councils, and a local plan, prepared by
district councils, which sets out development proposals on a topographical map
base. Plans must be in conformity with national and regional guidance, which has
become a very important source for guiding and challenging planning decisions.
The reform of the planning system will introduce new planning instruments at local
level and effectively abolish county structure plans.
In the absence of a clear regulatory framework and administrative procedures,
the English planning system relies for its operation on the professional judgement of
its planners, and planning practice and education are more strongly professionalised
and institutionalised than in other European countries. Yet the communicative and
discretionary approach to planning to date also means that not much attention has
been given to spatial analysis or 'mapping' in planning education. Overall, the
absence of a strong approach to strategic planning and a generally non-spatial and
policy-led understanding of planning mean that spatial concepts have played a
minor role in English planning, with the exception of the well known example of
'green belts' around major urban areas. The reform of the English planning system
towards more integrated spatial strategies at regional and local levels suggests that
spatial concepts will now be given increasing attention. Furthermore, network ideas
are being introduced into regional planning (expressed as the recognition of func-
tional interdependences and connections with neighbouring regions, for which sub-
regional spatial strategies can be prepared) as well as zoning ideas (such as
Business Planning Zones). This new mixed approach will pose challenges for
English planners in the cartographic representation of spatial policies in regional
plans, where key diagrams have to date played a rather minor role.
THE STYLE AND CONTENT OF CARTOGRAPHIC
REPRESENTATIONS IN STRATEGIC SPATIAL PLANS IN THE
NETHERLANDS, GERMANY AND ENGLAND
In this section, strategic spatial plans from national/federal and regional level in the
Netherlands and Germany and from regional level in England are analysed and
compared according to the criteria set out in Boxes 4.1 and 4.2.
For the Netherlands, the
Nota Ruimte
(VROM, 2004) (Plate 4) at national
level and three provincial
Streekplannen
are considered, i.e. Streekplan Noord-
Holland Zuid (Provincie Noord-Holland, 2003) (Plate 6), Streekplan Noord-Brabant
(Provincie Noord-Brabant, 2002), and Streekplan Friesland (Provinciale Staten van
Friesland, 1994)
5
(Plate 5). Due to the indicative nature of
PKBs
and
Streekplan-
nen
, much effort is spent on presenting attractive and convincing documents. The
