IN-PLAN PRACTICE
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According to the Torremolinos Charter1, spatial planning gives geographical expression to the economic, social, cultural, and ecological policies of society. It is a scientific discipline, an administrative technique, and a policy that promotes balanced regional development and the physical organisation of space through an interdisciplinary approach. Spatial plans are powerful tools used to define the spatial development of a territory, including land use categories, infrastructure placement, and specific construction and development requirements. They aim to create a rational territorial organisation of land uses, balancing development demands with environmental protection and achieving socio-economic objectives. Spatial planning coordinates the spatial impacts of sectoral policies, balances economic development between regions, and regulates land and property use conversions.
In essence, spatial planning manages the arrangement and development of living, working, and environmental conditions across various spatial levels—from residential quarters and urban districts to entire cities, regions, states, and even international levels. It is an expression of sovereign power and a public responsibility at the state, provincial, and municipal levels, based on legal regulations. Spatial planning laws provide for various forms of plans, which take legal effect as ordinances and have long-term impacts.
Therefore, spatial planning encompasses a wide range of instruments, from strategic frameworks and land-use planning to urban development agreements. These could include, for example, provincial development strategies, regional and sectoral programmes, local development strategies, land use plans and building schemes, but also municipal heating plans, spatial energy plans, etc. Local and regional governments utilise these tools to outline development pathways, setting restrictions and guidelines for land use and growth.
Integrated spatial planning is a comprehensive approach to managing spatial development that encompasses three critical dimensions: vertical integration, horizontal integration, and territorial integration. Vertical integration involves collaboration between different levels of governance, such as local, regional, national, and international authorities. This coordination ensures that policies and plans are aligned effectively, avoiding conflicts and redundancies and creating coherent development strategies.
Horizontal integration emphasises cooperation across different policy areas and departments within a municipality. This approach involves addressing issues holistically rather than in isolation. For achieving climate neutrality, this means integrating climate adaptation, sustainable mobility, and renewable energy into spatial planning. Additionally, by considering social and economic aspects, spatial planning aims to achieve sustainable development that balances growth with environmental protection and social equity, ensuring that projects have positive, multifaceted impacts.
Territorial integration entails regional cooperation between municipalities. By working together, municipalities can address shared challenges, optimise resource use, and implement regional development strategies that transcend individual boundaries. This cooperation enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of spatial planning efforts, leading to more cohesive and comprehensive regional development.
The European Commission advocates for sustainable and integrated spatial development with additional key features. It promotes a strategic vision for territorial development, guiding long-term planning efforts to align with broader sustainability and growth objectives. The Commission’s approach also emphasises multi-level governance and multi-stakeholder coordination, involving various actors according to their roles, skills, and scales of intervention, and ensuring active citizen engagement.
Furthermore, the Commission supports the integration of multiple funding sources to support spatial development projects, maximising resource availability and enabling the implementation of large-scale, impactful projects. It also promotes a result-oriented approach, establishing frameworks for monitoring and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and accountability. By emphasising these elements, the European Commission aims to promote a more sustainable, cohesive, and effective approach to spatial development across Europe.
Completing these EU-level policy initiatives, there is a growing trend to incorporate renewable energy and climate protection into spatial planning laws. Many countries and regions recognise that sustainable and integrated spatial planning is essential for addressing climate change and facilitating the energy transition, making it a vital component in the global effort to achieve climate neutrality.