Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
presidency in 1995 to prepare trend scenarios, which would subsequently be
further elaborated into policy scenarios or spatial visions, i.e. an illustration repre-
senting the desired future spatial structure and the policy instruments needed to
achieve it, were never followed through. This is possibly because there had not
been a 'diffusion' of these ideas in the group but, more important, because the
function of these cartographic illustrations had not been clearly defined and sub-
sequent presidencies had a different perception of how to approach the 'mapping'
issue and the preparation of the ESDP in general. These experiences, however,
show that it is very difficult to keep an overview of the function and construction
process of complex instruments such as 'maps' over a long period of time, and the
resulting confusion can lead to insecurity and mistrust in the group.
While the audience for spatial plans is usually well known in the established
planning systems of member states, there is much less certainty about this at
transnational level. The discussion of the ESDP process has shown that although
the strategy at least since the mid-1990s was directed at the integration of sec-
toral impacts, the consultations with sector departments within member states and
with other Directorates General within the European Commission were left until the
late 1990s, which then in turn led to additional political sensitivities. Towards the
end of the ESDP process, the question of the audience for the strategy resulted in
higher political sensitivity within the CSD towards any cartographic representation,
and a return to 'safer' and more traditional approaches of spatial analysis than the
attempt to visualise spatial policy for the EU territory. The current definition of
spatial planning covers a very wide range of actors, not just because sector depart-
ments in all EU member states are addressed, but also because the understanding
of strategic spatial planning implies that informal instruments are increasingly
directed at the wider public rather than 'just' other professionals, as is usually the
case with strategic plans at regional and sub-regional levels. A discussion about
the intended audience for transnational spatial visions or strategies would also, in
turn, influence the discussion on the function of the plan, and the appropriate auto-
graphic representation.
LESSONS FOR PLANNING PRACTICE
What are the lessons that can be learned from the discussions in this topic for
planning practice and future transnational planning processes? The first guiding
question for every transnational spatial planning process concerns the function that
this informal spatial strategy is expected to fulfil. Depending on whether a 'pro-
gramming' or a 'communicative' function of spatial planning (De Vries, 2002) is
deemed more appropriate, this will in turn allow an informed discussion about the
