provided by Research Papers in Economics
Changing spatial planning systems and the role of the regional
government level; Comparing the Netherlands, Flanders and
England
Paper presented at the ERSA conference in Amsterdam, 23-27 August 2005
Marjolein Spaans and Herman de Wolff
OTB Institute for Housing, Urban and Mobility Studies, Delft University of Technology
Jaffalaan 9, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
Tel.: +31.15.2783005
Email: [email protected] and [email protected].
Abstract
What does the changing spatial planning practice mean for formal planning systems in
European countries? The focus in this paper is on the new role for the regional level taking
into account the principles of multi-level governance and subsidiarity. We analyse the recent
changes in the spatial planning systems of the Netherlands, Flanders (Belgium), and England.
The choice of these countries was inspired by the fact that radical changes were recently
implemented (England and Flanders) or proposed (Netherlands). While the focus in the new
role for the English region is on planning instruments and the institutional framework for the
strategic role, the Flemish province has become better equipped for both the strategy and the
implementation role. In comparison with the other two countries, the Dutch province has
already disposed of its competences for the strategic role, so that the changes involve a
reinforcement of the implementation role.
Keywords: international comparison, spatial planning systems, planning instruments, region
and province.
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial assistance of the Dutch government through
the Habiforum Program Innovative Land Use and Delft University of Technology through the
Delft Centre for Sustainable Urban Areas