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Project Summary Project Description Application of Tools Opinion of Tools Decision making process Contact Details

Decision making process

Name of the case study
Procedure for Environmental Assessment of local regulation in Copenhagen

Decision making process - stages
The tool is implemented in the initial stages (assessment of law proposals and plans).

Decision making process - levels
The assessment is made by technicians, to support political decisions.

Decision making process - sources of information
Sources of information include: information letters, brochures, meetings

Decision making process - who are the decision makers
Decision-makers are the politicians in the City council

Decision making process - who made the final decision for project implementation
It was a political decision, made by the politicians in the City council.


Name of tool
Procedure for Environmental Assessment of local regulation in Copenhagen

Decision making process - tools in decision-making process

The procedure is implemented in the initial stages (assessment of law proposals and plans). The assessment is made by technicians, to support political decisions.

It is too early to say, how much the EA-procedure will influence the decision-making processes. In the 4.th quarter of 2002, 228 assessments were carried out, corresponding to 62% of the 366 proposals put forward (Copenhagen Municipality’s Green Accounts 2002).

Example
One example of a positive influence is the renovation of Brønshøj Torv (square). This served as test-case for the new environmental policy for the Department of Roads and Parks, and included use of the MEMPD (see tools review), the municipality’s guidelines for environmental friendly renovation as well as the EA-procedure was used as an inspiration for the environmental efforts made, which included:
• Reusing the existing granite-stones from the “old” square on the new square
• Recycling concrete at the site (crushing it and using it for filling behind stairs)
• The cut trees will be reused at the playground
• Rainwater from the square will be lead to the local village pond (substituting drinking water)

Another positive example is that the assessment of school-buildings has caused the Mayor for Schools in Copenhagen to ask the Department for Building and Technique why the schools did not include any elements of environmentally good or best practice. This is the type of reactions from politicians that the Copenhagen EPA is hoping for, as this will encourage officers in the department to include more environmental goals in projects and plans.

Quantitative goals and benchmarks were defined during the decision making process. The present environmental goals in the Municipality (app. 160 goals) are used as benchmarks for assessing the environmental impacts.

It is too early to say whether the tool was used to support argumentations.


Decision making process - how was the information for the dmp disseminated
Sources of dissemination include: information letters, brochures, meetings

Decision making process - how was the public involved
There was no public involvement.

Decision making process - was there public discussion over the project
No

What tools were used to assess sustainability?

Procedure for Environmental Assessment of local regulation in Copenhagen

More information

Click here for a full description (pdf)