SPATIAL PLANNING Key Instrument for Development and Effective Governance

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7. TOWARDS STONGER AND MORE EFFECTIVESPATIAL PLANNINGThis chapter identifies some of the priority areas in developing spatial planning systems. It providessome examples of how these issues are being tackled in certain UNECE countries and concludes byidentifying the key issues for strengthening and promoting spatial planning.7.1 Encouraging debateA spatial planning system that manages development in an efficient, effective and fair way is a centralcomponent of good governance. Citizens’ access to opportunities, health, well-being and life chancesare fundamentally influenced by patterns of development. This is why development decisions can beso controversial. A number of countries have recently engaged in major public debates about thenature and role of spatial planning, involving all parts and levels of government, NGOs and theacademic community (e.g. in Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and the United Kingdom).Such debates can help to build consensus about the need for, and direction of, change. TheBox 4: The “Netherlands 2030” exerciseThe “Netherlands 2030” document explores the opportunities and threats for spatial development on the basis of sixspatial challenges.1. The demand for spaceHow does the Dutch government respond to the continuing urbanization? Accept or resist it? The Netherlands willcontain in 2030 around 18.5 million inhabitants (there are now 15.6 million), who will demand more space per capitaand a better quality of housing than they now have. The demand for rural housing and high quality housing locations ingeneral will grow strongly.2. TravelHow will the growth in the transport of people and goods be dealt with? Should new forms of public transport beencouraged? Traffic jams are a daily reality on many Dutch motorways, whereby cities become more and moreinaccessible. Should there be more roads or can the existing ones better be used? What role can technologicalinnovations or new forms of private and public transport play in all this?3. Relationship between the environment and the economyHow can a sustainable balance be achieved between the economy and ecology? With the aid of technologicalinnovations or through a new economic order? The service and information sectors will increase in importance,Rotterdam and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will further expand their “main port” functions. Are both developmentspossible without damaging the quality of the environment and nature?4. Life styles and housing needsHow can a division between the privileged and underprivileged be prevented? Should there be investments in humandevelopment or in the physical environment? The Netherlands is developing into a multicultural society, with acolourful palette of lifestyles and housing needs. Can all these needs be met?5. Nature and landscapeNature conservation and biodiversity are important to Dutch society. Nature conservation organizations have a largenumber of members. The urban population also seeks opportunities for recreation in the nature and rural areas. Canthe objectives of preservation of the species and the recreational needs of the population be adequately met?6. Relationship between government and the individualHow do the authorities and individuals relate to each other as far as spatial planning and land use are concerned?Should the emphasis be on centralization or decentralization?Source: Netherlands Council of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, 1998.Spatial Planning - Key Instrument for Development and Effective Governance 37
‘Netherlands 2030’ exercise in 1998 presented four scenarios and six challenges for spatial planningin the Netherlands up to 2030 as a way of providing a platform for a national debate on the future ofspatial development (Box 4).7.2 The legal frameworkThe spatial planning system needs to be built on a clear legal basis, one which provides a frameworkfor solutions to be designed at the local level. The legal framework should clarify:• The roles and responsibilities of government and other agencies, but allow for the sharing ofcompetences among them in the making of strategies and decisions;• The broad shape of the required planning instruments at each jurisdictional level;• The minimum procedures for plan-making and regulating development that ensure consistentmethods of accountability and the protection of human and property rights across the wholeterritory;• The requirements for collaboration among local authorities and supervision by regional andnational authorities on decisions that will have an impact beyond the local authority territory (seeexample in Box 5);• The methods by which local authorities can provide incentives and sanctions to help in managingdevelopment.Box 5: Spatial Strategies on the Island of IrelandAccording to the 2006 report “Spatial Strategies on the Island of Ireland”, greater cooperation between the twoGovernments of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is vital to maximize the estimated €100 billion which is tobe spent across the island of Ireland on transport, information technology, power and communications over the next 10years. The study uses several European case examples, illustrating a diverse range of cross-border initiatives, to showthat collaboration on spatial development and infrastructure can increase the competitiveness of individual countrieswhile maintaining the integrity of individual jurisdictions. It recognizes that much practical day-to-day cooperation isoccurring in areas such as investment in energy and transportation networks and tackling historical infrastructuredeficits. However, the study states that more needs to be done urgently to take forward innovative aspects of bothspatial strategies within a framework for collaboration. Examples include accelerating the development of key corridorsbetween core cities, towns and intervening rural areas.Source: Adair et al, 2006.7.3 Administrative and informal actionsIn some countries, plans must become part of the national or regional body of law before they can beenforced. There may also be extensive requirements for approval by higher levels. Carefulconsideration needs to be given to extending the powers of local authorities to adopt their own plansand regulate development only when in conformity with a strategic framework on the developmentissues that cross local authority boundaries. This should be within a framework of principles andregulations set at a higher level and under the general supervision of regional or national government.Partnership arrangements will also need to be considered (see example in Box 6).38 Spatial Planning - Key Instrument for Development and Effective Governance
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SPATIAL PLANNING Key Instrument for Development and Effective Governance

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