Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Nota Ruimte
Streekplan Noord-
Holland
Streekplan Noord-
Brabant
Streekplan
Friesland
ORA
LEP NRW
LEPro RLP
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
LEP Hessen
RPG1
RPG10
Draft RPG14
Figure 4.10
Complexity of 'policy maps' in strategic spatial plans in the Netherlands, Germany and
England
0
20
40
60
80
100
Number of elements (listed in key)
combining all relevant themes in one 'integrated' map, as is required for
Länder
,
6
regional and local level plans in Germany, the
ORA
formulates five different
Leit-
bilder
, four of which are cartographically represented, thus keeping the complexity
of each diagram to a minimum. Second, because each
Leitbild
covers only one
theme or theme complex, the number of symbols used is also very limited. The dif-
ferent strategies are thus efficient with regard to their envisaged audience: while
the binding plans at
Länder
and regional levels are aimed at other professionals
(planners, public authorities, other sector departments), the
ORA
is intended for a
much wider audience, including the general public, thus putting different require-
ments on its design and complexity.
ASSOCIATION: THE USE OF COLOUR AND SYMBOLS
In Dutch and German strategic spatial plans the whole planning territory is often
represented in colour (and thus is the object of planning, which could be interpreted
as the understanding of the plan as a 'master plan'), whereas in English spatial plans
usually much of the territory where policies are not expected to apply is left white.
This again demonstrates the different understanding of planning between the
Netherlands and Germany on the one hand, and England on the other.
There is generally use of associative colours for those objects that easily lend
themselves to being represented in a certain colour, such as 'green areas' and
water (cf. Table 4.1). The exception to this are the English key diagrams, where
there is more variation in the colours used to depict such areas. There is variety
across the three countries as regards the use of conventional colours, although in
