Analysis of regional spatial planning and decision making ... - Plurel

Summary
Are the above planning strategies examples of territorial governance In order to assess
the question, it will be considered whether policy-making includes diverse local actors,
integrates different, hierarchic levels of the state for decision-making and whether state
actors have a comparatively weak role in the process.
While showing some characteristics of multi-level territorial governance, formal planning
strategies, because of the dominant role of the state in decision-making and because of
selective opportunities for participation, are no governance strategies. The same is true
for inter-municipal cooperation, because ultimately state actors – the local authorities
involved – take decisions.
The judgement is different for the majority of informal spatial planning strategies:
Diverse extra governmental actors ‘behind’ integrated spatial development concepts (e.g.
representatives of businesses and enterprises, civil and social initiatives, associations and
others) are, to some extent at least, involved in decision-making in steering committees
alongside governmental actors. Coordination between different levels of government for
strategy formulation and implementation exists, but is less pronounced than is the case
for planning instruments: Spatial planning strategies are not binding for municipal
planning. Generally, their role is more that of a guiding framework. However, spatial
planning strategies, generally, conform to the regional and Saxon spatial development
plans. In short, spatial planning strategies are an example of multi-level, territorial
governance because of collaborative decision-making procedures and integration with
decision-making at lower and higher tiers of the planning administration; the question
which actors get to participate in concept-preparation and implementation on which
grounds remains open.
particiaption of
gov./extra-gov.
actors
weak role of
state actors
integration of
different levels of
the state
multi-level
governance
formal strategies
X X No
informal strategies
X X () X (yes)
inter-municipal
cooperation
(„Zweckverbände“)
no
Table 6. Decision-making and governance
6.4 Conclusions
Spatial planning strategies in the Leipzig peri-urban area differ with regard to
implementaion areas, thematic focus and decision-making processes that led to their
adoption. The broad conception of the majority of planning strategies – both formal and
informal strategies - is noticeable. This can be explained by the fact that certain strategies
play a role for negotiating land-use claims emanating from other policy sectors and that
their purpose is to coordinate diverse interests.
Exceptions, i.e. strategies with a narrower thematic conception, include all forms of intermunicipal
cooperation (“Zweckverbände”), which is based on common land-use problems
Page 49 • PLUREL D 3.3.Leipzig • November 2008, Annette Sinn, Dagmar Haase, Anne Walde