European Spatial Development Perspective
Encyclopedia
The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) is a document approved by the Informal Council of Ministers of Spatial Planning of European Commission
in Potsdam
in 1999. It is a legally non-binding document forming a policy framework with 60 policy options for all tiers of administration with a planning responsibility. The strategic aim is to achieve a balanced and sustainable spatial development strategy.
, multi-sectoral and indicative strategy
for the spatial development, the key ideas of ESDP are:
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
in Potsdam
Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. It is situated on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin city centre....
in 1999. It is a legally non-binding document forming a policy framework with 60 policy options for all tiers of administration with a planning responsibility. The strategic aim is to achieve a balanced and sustainable spatial development strategy.
Key concepts
With the aim to provide an integratedRegional integration
Regional integration is a process in which states enter into a regional agreement in order to enhance regional cooperation through regional institutions and rules...
, multi-sectoral and indicative strategy
Strategy
Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...
for the spatial development, the key ideas of ESDP are:
- an integrated approach - Not just to look at specific sectors of development activity (e.g. environment, economic development, or transport), but to recognise that they all affect each other;
- spatial development - a much wider view of the development, vital for integrative approach;
- strategic aspects - interlinked actions to achieve balanced and sustainable territorial development;
- indicative views - the responsibility lies with the developed regions and territories to implement the development principals.
Spatial policy guidelines
- Development of a polycentricPolycentrismPolycentrism is the principle of organization of a region around several political, social or financial centres. Examples of polycentric cities include the Ruhr area in Germany, and Stoke-on-Trent in the UK. Today, the former is a large city that grew from a dozen smaller cities, the latter a...
and balanced urban system, and strengthening of the partnership between urban and rural areas, so as to create a new urban-rural relationship. - Promotion of integrated transport and communication concepts, which support the polycentric development of the EU territory, so that there is gradual progress towards parity of access to infrastructure and knowledge.
- Wise management of the natural and cultural heritage, which will help conserve regional identities and cultural diversity in the face of globalisation.
Further reading
- Andreas Faludi, Bas Waterhout: The making of the European spatial development perspective: no masterplan, Routledge, 2002
External links
- ESDP Report, PotsdamPotsdamPotsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. It is situated on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin city centre....
, May 1999