Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Planning as a
communicative
process aimed
at co-ordination
Planning as a
communicative
process aimed
at steering
Planning as a
programming of
decision-making
aimed at co-ordination
Planning as a
programming of
decision-making
aimed at steering
Figure 3.11 Four dimensions of spatial planning
Source: De Vries (2002: 364); reprinted from 'Grenzen verkend. Internationalisering van de ruimtelijke
planning in de Benelux', by permission of IOS Press
change over time in a planning process, for instance depending on the degree of
consensus achieved between actors.
For the planning processes of the Second Benelux Structural Outline and
the Spatial Development Perspective of the Rhine-Scheldt Delta, De Vries
(2002) argued that the initial approach was directed towards planning as steer-
ing, and significant attention was given to programming. This is a remarkable
observation considering that both a high level of consensus and a large number of
effective instruments were absent in the processes, yet are crucial if planning as
programming aimed at steering is to be a success. However, although program-
ming was an important goal in both processes, neither plan was very explicit
about the target group - something which might be partly explained by the focus
on spatial structures in the process. Thus, by formulating problems and objectives
in terms of spatial structure (for instance, main ecological structure and open
space), the explicit identification of actors remained largely absent. Similarly, the
approach in both processes under study was generally oriented towards steering,
and only limited attention was given to concrete co-ordination issues. However, it
is difficult to achieve the required level of consensus on spatial objectives needed
for steering. Co-ordination issues frequently involve situations where actors have
conflicting interests, and compromise is therefore often the most that can be
achieved. On the basis of his research, De Vries (2002) concluded that process
management should clearly distinguish between the communicative and program-
ming dimensions of transnational and cross-border planning but not separate
them completely.
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