Regional Spatial Planning for Coordination: A case study on the strategic structural picture of Skåne
2016 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Giving a spatial structure to the regional development strategies in order to achieve a balanced use of lands and resources for a more sustainable development is not a straightforward task for the regions in Sweden. The reason is the planning monopoly of the municipalities and lack of planning power at the regional level based on the Planning and Building Act. Therefore, using a strategic spatial planning process as a coordination process is a controversial issue in the Swedish planning system. This thesis is dedicated to a case study (Structural picture of Skåne) in order to achieve a better and deeper understanding of the various aspects of such process. This purpose has been followed through collecting quantitative data (semi structured interviews and documents) and analyzing them according to a conceptual framework. The findings demonstrate that in order to meta-governing the network of municipalities in a region, strategic spatial planning process includes meta-governance mechanisms (network design, network framing and network management). The network design mechanism is heavily depends on the legitimacy of the spatial planning process and the initiator (here Region Skåne) is required to increase this legitimacy by working on different aspects of legitimacy. The network framing is to interactively build a consensus among all the actors by developing a common vision for the region and concretize it through common strategies. The scenarios for the future of the region must be developed through discussions and joint interpretation of the facts and analysis rather than being made merely by technical spatial analysis. Otherwise, making the strategies would face lots of misunderstandings, ambiguities and oppositions. Finally, since a complete consensus is not possible, questions and disagreements always exist. In addition, the weaker actors (municipalities) which have limitations and barriers to implement the strategies or put themselves in line with them need constant support from the stronger actors and the Region. Hence, the strategic spatial planning calls for a continuous discussion and support in order to manage the network of municipalities and keep the created picture alive in the background of their comprehensive plans.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2016. , p. 55
Keywords [en]
Coordination, Regional Spatial Planning, Meta-governance, Strategic Spatial Planning, Structural Picture of Skåne
National Category
Political Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:bth-12934OAI: oai:DiVA.org:bth-12934DiVA, id: diva2:956443
External cooperation
Boverket
Subject / course
FM2564 Master's Thesis (120 credits) in Spatial Planning with an emphasis on European Spatial Planning and Regional Development
Educational program
FMAJP Joint Masters Programme in European Spatial Planning, Environmental Policies and Regional Development
Supervisors
Examiners
2016-08-302016-08-222016-08-30Bibliographically approved