Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
question the validity of the depicted issues, such as for instance the information
basis for the definition of 'gateway cities' and 'potential cross-border co-operation'
in one of the maps (see Figure 5.2).
Yet even the decision to concentrate exclusively on analytical maps for the
ESDP proved difficult, as a note from an internal communication between the core
group members on the inclusion of an illustration of the TEN-T network demon-
strates:
the maps on transportation issues still cause many problems. The initial decision
to use the maps included in the official TEN-document (TEN directive no.
1692/96(EC)) to illustrate the existing transportation networks in order to avoid
any discussion among member states, proved not to be a solution, at least not
for all modes of transportation. It appeared that the keys with these maps
contain also planned links, while the [CSD] desires not to map any planned
items in Chapter II [of the ESDP], since this describes existing situations and
trends, and moreover because consensus about planned issues turns out to be
difficult to achieve. Unfortunately the planned links cannot be removed from the
TEN-maps without harming the correct representation of the existing networks.
(Note to ESDP group of experts, dated 18 March 1998, archives of VROM)
THE FINAL ESDP (POTSDAM, 1999)
After the work on the Glasgow draft had focused on analytical maps, and the
decision was taken to finalise the ESDP under German presidency, no further
attempts were made to develop other policy-oriented illustrations. The Potsdam
ministerial meeting and the anticipated wide dissemination of the ESDP meant
that the strategy was lifted out of the relatively closed circle of the CSD into a
much wider domain, and besides these 'micropolitical' relations increasingly
'macropolitical' considerations came to the fore. A further consideration of an illus-
tration of policy options therefore seemed impossible at this stage. In order to illus-
trate the ESDP policy options in the final ESDP, generic, non-territory-specific
'vignettes' were prepared (see Figure 5.3), based on a highly abstract representa-
tion of Europe as a peninsula of the Eurasian continent (dubbed the 'European
nose').
'POST-ADOPTION' OF THE ESDP
This section will give a selective overview of the attempts to visualise and spatially
interpret the EU policy options following the adoption of the ESDP. The discussion
of the appropriate depiction of EU policies is still ongoing, and a review of these
