European Integration and Spatial Planning

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Institutions of the European Spatial Development Policy

3. Methods and Tools
3.1 ESDP – European Spatial Development Perspective
3.2 Interreg III
3.3 Structural Funds
3.4 The trans-European networks (TENs):
3.5 Binding directives on environmental issues:

4. Conclusion

5. References

1. Introduction

„European Integration“describes a process, which tries to build up a kind of political, and economical union as well as a social and political integration of different persons and population groups within the European Union (SCHUBERT/KLEIN 2003:43). This is a very short definition of a very complex procedure which contains a lot of different aspects. One of these aspects is the spatial planning, which importance is strongly rising. On the one hand is the European Union with its 25 member states, with a population of 455 Million, with an area of nearly four Million square kilometre and a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of 9738 billion Euro (WIKIPEDIA 2005) one of the biggest and strongest economic areas in the world, but on the other hand are the regional differences between the countries and also within the countries enormous. Following illustration shows the disparities in the year of 1997. These disparities have enlarged with the joining of the ten new member states.

Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten

(Ill. 1: European Commission: Inforegio (1998), modified Bachofer 2005)

But there are also some other important questions, which are concerning the spatial planning like rising traffic within the EU, environmental pollution, growing cities and the protection of natural and cultural goods. This Essay tries to find out, how big the influence of the European spatial planning system is and what possibilities it has to support the member states of the European Union.

2. Institutions of the European Spatial Development Policy

According to the German federal state of NIEDERSACHSEN, are following five Institutions working within the European Spatial Development Policy together:

CEMAT (Conférence Européenne des Ministres responsables de L’Aménagement du Territoire) is the European Conference of Ministers for Spatial Planning of the 41 member states of the European Council. One function of CEMAT is an exchange of information of spatial planning. Especially economical, ecological, social and cultural needs of planning and development of communes, regions and countries in Europe are the main topics. The results of the council are offered to the informal Council of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning in form of resolutions. In the year 2000 the “Guidelines for a sustainable spatial development” were passed in Hannover.

The Informal Council s of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning . The leadership has the country which is responsible for the presidency of the European Council, and changes every six months.

The Directorate – General for Regional policy of EU – Commission is responsibel for activities of the Union concerning the support of regional development. Issues like environment, traffic, research and spatial development are belonging to this area of responsibility.

The CSD = „Committee on Spatial Development“prepares as EU working committee the activities for the two last named levels.

The CDRR = „Committee of the Development and Reconversion of Regions“has a subcommittee „spatial- and urban development“, which is advising about causes of territorial- and urban development.

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