Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
geodesign
, which has been mainly used in the German literature (cf. BfLR, 1993),
refers to the design aspects of the (carto)graphic representation of highly abstract
and generalised policy instruments at national or transnational spatial scale. The
following sections will present recent experiences with these informal planning
instruments in Europe.
SCENARIOS
The method of scenario-building is an instrument for the exploration of future
spatial development trends, and has been described as a particularly suitable way
to visualise and communicate complex and slow processes such as those of terri-
torial development (BBR, 2003). Stiens (2004a) has commented that visions of
the future which are based on different spatial development scenarios facilitate the
discussion of a 'desirable future'. The following categories of scenario types can
be distinguished according to their function (Stiens, 2004a):
•
Descriptive scenarios or trend scenarios.
These show the continuation of
existing development trends, and the impacts on the territory if no policy
intervention occurs.
•
Leitbild or strategy scenarios.
These are normative scenarios which illustrate
the realisation of certain spatial
Leitbilder
.
•
Alternative scenarios.
These show favourable spatial structures in compari-
son to the present situation. These 'visions' are the most radical and utopian
amongst the scenarios presented, given that effective application models and
related institutional framework conditions for these utopian visions do not
(yet) exist. In contrast,
alternative strategy scenarios
show spatial develop-
ments which can be achieved through certain actions and policy options.
Any of these can be presented as 'carto-scenarios' (Stiens, 2004b), which are
highly generalised synthesised representations of the prognosis/trends or a norm-
ative picture in cartographic form. The cartographic synthesis can help to make the
main message accessible and comprehensible also for lay people and non-experts
(Stiens, 1996).
The recent popularity of qualitative spatial scenarios, especially at trans-
national levels, is undoubtedly an effect of the ESDP process and the subsequent
revival of strategic spatial planning approaches. The publication of the European
Commission study documents
Europe 2000
(CEC, 1991) and
Europe 2000
(CEC, 1994) was fundamental to the thinking about transnational co-operation and
the future spatial development of the European territory (cf. Chapter 1). Trans-
national regional development studies were undertaken on the basis of
Europe
2000
, which included the development of 'trend scenarios' and 'active scenarios'
