Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 3.1
Categorisations of spatial planning systems in the EU-15 according to the
EU Compendium of
Spatial Planning Systems and Policies
The Compendium identifies four major traditions of spatial planning in the European
Union:
1
The regional economic planning approach.
In this tradition, spatial planning very
broadly relates to the pursuit of social and economic objectives, especially in
relation to the reduction of regional disparities. Spatial planning issues are integ-
rated into regional development policies, and spatial planning is therefore not
defined for the whole territory, but is rather understood as compensatory spatial
development where the use of the territory is left to sectoral planners and the
private sector. The department responsible for spatial planning intervenes only in
the case of socially undesirable developments. Central government inevitably
plays an important role in managing development pressures across the country
and in undertaking public-sector investment. The planning systems in France and
to a lesser extent in Portugal are associated with this approach.
2
The comprehensive integrated approach.
This has also been described as
'framework management' and is characterised by a spatial planning system that
is conducted through a very systematic and formal hierarchy of plans, from
national to local level, which co-ordinate public-sector activity across different
sectors but focus more specifically on spatial co-ordination than on economic
development. Planning is separated from other sector policies and concentrates
on co-ordinating their spatial impacts by defining guiding principles for the
whole of the territory which are aimed to help avoid undesirable spatial develop-
ments. This spatial planning approach requires sophisticated and responsive
planning institutions and mechanisms and considerable political commitment to
the planning process. Public-sector investment is important for the realisation of
the planning framework. The Netherlands are closely associated with this tradi-
tion of planning. The
Compendium
differentiates two sub-categories in this
approach: the Nordic countries, which use a rational planning approach and
significant public-sector investment, and where local authorities share
responsibilities with central government; and the federal countries Austria and
Germany, where a similar systematic structure and process is followed but the
regional governments (
Länder
) play a very important role.
3
The land use management approach.
This planning tradition is more narrowly
defined as controlling land use change at the strategic and local levels. The UK
is the main example of this approach, with the local authorities undertaking most
of the planning work but the central administration also exercising a significant
degree of power, either through supervising the system or by setting central
policy objectives.
4
The 'urbanism' tradition.
This approach is typical of the Mediterranean member
states and is strongly concerned with architecture, urban design and building
control. Regulation is undertaken through rigid zoning and codes.
Source: CEC (1997).
