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

Project description

Name of the case study
Spatial planning - a holistic approach

Description of context
The "Regional Planning Act" and the "Provincial Development Programme" are two principal laws that need to be considered when developing long - and mid term policies and programmes.

At the local level, the urban development programme (UDP) comprises a policy paper and the land utilisation plan is the tool to implement the urban development programme. The municipality accounts for the UDP.

The UDP has to describe the intended ecological, economic, social and cultural developments of the municipality, including:
• the necessary aims and measures to safeguard natural capacity and environment;
• orientations about the population development;
• economic development ;
• housing;
• education, culture, leisure;
• health and welfare;
• aims and measures regarding energy supply;
• traffic;
• spatial and functional development.

So this policy has to integrate cross-sectoral issues in a holistic sense and to refer to both higher level planning and programming as well as regarding developments from neighbouring communities. Further on, the development plan, which includes detailed information about a planned building project, represents the creative elements for land utilisation and describes in more detail the planned utilisation of the urban area. This plan has not only to regard the legal context but also consider on-site characteristics (e.g. landscape features, drainage of water, fauna and flora) and needs to include acceptable solutions in the proposed development plan.

Additional support comes from the "open space plan" which has been set up to manage and plan the green areas in and close to the city limits.
The "spatial mission statement" evaluates the projects influence on the natural as well as the existing construction situation. The spatial mission statement distinguishes different "urban area types" according to their spatial and functional characteristics. It has been set up to avoid interference in the existing spatial structure. Therefore, it aims to visualize remaining areas with a certain potential for further development.

Description of project - background
The development of the tool dates back to the early 70s and 80s, with the aim of providing a common basis for continuous planning and decision making. The idea is to regularly update tools and procedures in use, to take into account changing circumstances. The tool is based on a number of indicators, such as:
• Climate (air exchange, wind situation)
• Air pollutants / traffic infrastructure
• Soil permeability / water drainage
• Landscape / urban morphology
• Existing access to energy supply
• Existing access to sewage system
• Site / urban density
• Green areas / protected areas
• Areas for flood protection / run-off
• Protected blue/green areas
This information is supported by GIS-based maps.

Description of project - objectives/aims
The objectives of the project are:
The urban development programme constitutes the policy for urban land use planning. It includes a number of goals, which try to follow the idea of sustainability through:
• Strengthening the city’s position as an economic and cultural centre,
• Improving regional co-operation,
• Nature protection and the environment through considering air quality, reducing noise pollution, open space development, biotopes and their connection, social improvement (green in living areas, accessibility), recreation facilities, pedestrian and cycling zones,
• economic potential, improving living conditions, education, culture, sports facilities, infrastructure improvement (energy, water, sewage), traffic, functional classification of the urban landscape

Description of project - time interval and stages
Planning is a continuous process.

Description of project - financing
There is no specific funding since it is the main duty of the department.

Description of project - other sectors involved
The core work demands co-operation with relevant sectors as well as with the public. Improvements that regard communication and exchange between departments as well as to the citizens are still to be made.

What tools were used to assess sustainability?

Indicators and procedures for Spatial Planning

More information

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