Energy
Waste
Water and Sewage
Transport
Green Blue
Buildings & land use
englishdeutsch
Project Summary Project Description Application of Tools Opinion of Tools Decision making process Contact Details

Opinion of tools

Name of the case study
Spatial planning - a holistic approach


Name of tool
Indicators and procedures for Spatial Planning

Opinion of tool - argumentation for choosing the tool
The tool is implemented in order to meet the main objective that is to serve the purpose of the planning unit and to achieve the set aims of the policy and planning documents which comprises the overall aim and task of the planning unit (refer to the objectives of the planning unit outlined in the case study). Therefore it is essential that the indicators and checklists are up-to date. and, the criteria used have to explain decisions and planning efforts.
The planning unit has been the initiator of the use of the tool.
The criteria for choosing the tool were to support the planners work, increase their efficiency and provide additional argumentation.
Information about other tools was available, however due to lack of time and resources there is limited space for extra efforts.

Opinion of tool - barriers for the tool implementation
The implementation of the tool is routine, however when introducing new indicators a certain hesitation in applying them can be noticed, mainly due to time constraints of the personnel for additional capacity building.


Opinion of tool - assessment by tool users
The tool users believe that the standard set of indicators seem to be sufficient for the purpose of serving the planning process. The recent evaluation step in the planning procedure comprises the "spatial mission statement", which evaluates the projects influence on the natural as well as the existing building situation. This step has led to an improvement with regard to environmental aspects (for example the obligation to include urban green space in the plan).

One of the results of using the tool relates to participatory procedures which occurred due to the increasing interests of the citizens and has lead to testing new forms of public involvement.
Furthermore, the public interest in urban development increased distinctly and has resulted in extensive information provisions. In this respect a new form of public participation procedure "the planning cell" has been tested, where the basic idea to this is, to include a randomly chosen number of people, at a very early stage of the planning process and collect and discuss their notions on planning topics.

In the near future provisions for development plans are to be changed, namely the role of participation in the planning process. Therefore the planning unit wants to be ready and set up to deal with these new requirements. However, limits for the planning unit are:
• Lack of time and personnel for "new approaches or non-routines"
• increasing pressure from higher planning levels and from economy.

A potential for further use of the indicator set, would be a link to a GIS-system which would seem to be a proper tool for the planning procedure as well as an information tool (e.g. different thematic maps).

The tool has the potential to be used in other situations, provided the technical equipment is (GIS) available (see paragraph above). Principal requests, from the planners’ point of view, relate to the introduction of participation and communication procedures.

Opinion of tool - reviewer\'s assessment
One of the principal requirements of the tool is to have a "ready tool" for the different development projects. The tool and its procedures are designed to be used in future projects. Requests for improvement have been stated from the users, with regard to the operator’s convenience in using the different information sets, especially when it comes to incorporating thematic maps. Self evaluation / improvements: Day-to-day work of the planning staff, which comprises work on development plans mainly and long-term strategic planning, could somehow be improved and enriched by increasing the planners personal notion on “environment” or “awareness of natural quality”. At present different factors concerning nature, recognising nature and its potential are not regular practice. Staff training for the future could include: • Capacity building • Shaping Awareness and ideas • Training on certain items The commencement of the SEA Directive will afford new procedures in participatory processes as well as in elaborating future plans and programmes which might have an effect on the environment.

What tools were used to assess sustainability?

Indicators and procedures for Spatial Planning

More information

Click here for a full description (pdf)