Spatial planning policies and conceptions on the European level - influences on national spatial planning systems - Abstract

Despite of its informal character, spatial planning on the European level has become a sphere of research and activities of its own in recent years. Meanwhile it attracts EU-institutions as well as EU-member countries. On the European level it is therefore no longer enough just to have knowledge about the spatial planning systems of neighbouring countries. In the frame of the ongoing processes of change within spatial planning it becomes more and more obvious that there is the need for critical analysis of the national planning systems and to strengthen their transnational capability. The question arises, if there will be a harmonisation of spatial planning systems in the long run and which indicators can give an orientation in this development.
The experiences gained so far within spatial planning on the European level can offer essential points for a future oriented development of national spatial planning systems, as they are based on a minimum European consensus. Formulating such "minimum standards" for national spatial planning systems on the European level can for example support central and eastern European spatial planning systems which are still undergoing a fundamental transition.
On this basis the following expressions show an attempt to develop a profile of demands for national spatial planning systems based on spatial planning on the European level. The most important characteristics of spatial planning on the European level which can be generalised will be taken into account.