Towards More Balanced Territorial Relations—The Role (and Limitations) of Spatial Planning as a Governance Approach

Karlheinz Knickel, Alexandra Almeida, Lisa Bauchinger, Maria Pia Casini, Bernd Gassler, Kerstin Hausegger-Nestelberger, Jesse Heley, Reinhard Henke, Marina Knickel, Henk Oostindie, Ulla Ovaska, Carlos Pina, Massimo Rovai, Hans Vulto and Johannes S. C. Wiskerke
Additional contact information
Karlheinz Knickel: HELSUS—Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Alexandra Almeida: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo (CCDR-LVT), 1269-053 Lisboa, Portugal
Lisa Bauchinger: Federal Institute for Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
Maria Pia Casini: Territorial Planning Office, Province of Lucca, 55100 Lucca, Italy
Bernd Gassler: Regional Management of Metropolitan Area of Styria, A-8010 Graz, Austria
Kerstin Hausegger-Nestelberger: Regional Management of Metropolitan Area of Styria, A-8010 Graz, Austria
Jesse Heley: Research Group ‘New Political Geographies’, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, UK
Reinhard Henke: Regionalverband FrankfurtRheinMain, D-60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Marina Knickel: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), Pisa University, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
Henk Oostindie: Rural Sociology Group (RSO), Section Space, Place and Society (SPS), Wageningen University, NL-6700 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Ulla Ovaska: Rural Studies, Land Use and Natural Resource Governance Group, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
Carlos Pina: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo (CCDR-LVT), 1269-053 Lisboa, Portugal
Massimo Rovai: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), Pisa University, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
Hans Vulto: Municipality of Ede, NL-6877 Ede, The Netherlands
Johannes S. C. Wiskerke: Rural Sociology Group (RSO), Section Space, Place and Society (SPS), Wageningen University, NL-6700 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Decision-makers, planners and administrators involved in different policy domains at different governance levels face the important challenge of fostering more balanced, sustainable and territorially integrated development. Well-designed, multi-level, multi-sector and multi-actor governance arrangements can play a key role in this process through orchestrating the interplay between different spheres, activities, actors and interests. In this paper, we examine the role of spatial planning in improving the relations between rural, peri-urban and urban areas. We analyse the strengths and limitations of spatial planning and explore the connections with territorial development. The methodology used for this analysis combines regional case studies in seven European locations—Ede, Frankfurt/Rhein-Main, Styria/Graz, Helsinki, Lisbon, Lucca and Mid Wales, with rapid appraisals, the analysis of published data, expert judgement and triangulation. We ask under which conditions spatial planning can induce more balanced, sustainable territorial relations, and look at the contribution planning can make to achieving sustainable development goals. The problem of ineffective (or toothless) plan implementation provides the entry point into the analysis and discussion. We illustrate why mutually beneficial relations between urban, peri-urban and rural communities (and territories) cannot simply be planned. Instead, these relationships need to be supported by strategies, policy instruments and governance arrangements that foster synergies between different actors and activities. The planning process itself needs to become more transparent and participatory. We conclude that the questions addressed in this article in an exploratory fashion merit further research especially as a more sustainable and territorially integrated development is becoming increasingly important in European policy making.

Keywords: urban; peri-urban; rural; spatial planning; territorial governance; sustainable development; case studies; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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