Regional Planning: Shaping Sustainable Territories

Posted on Dec 2, 2024 in Geography

Origin, Characteristics, and Objectives of Regional Planning

Regional planning is one of three forms of physical planning involved in land use management, alongside urban planning and sectoral planning. It addresses challenges beyond the scope of traditional urban or sectoral approaches.

Key Factors Driving the Need for Regional Planning:

  • Urban Growth and Metropolitan Area Formation: Managing metropolitan areas requires tools beyond traditional urban planning.
  • Regional or Territorial Imbalances: While not solely focused on economic development, regional planning addresses the physical planning aspects of regional disparities.
  • Areas with Specific Problems: Disadvantaged rural areas, high mountain areas, and coastlines require detailed zoning and specific actions.

Hierarchy of Plans and Cascade Planning

Regional planning operates within a hierarchy of plans, each informing lower levels according to the principle of cascade planning. This principle applies not only to spatial plans but also to sectoral plans and legal frameworks.

Territorial Planning Levels:

  • European Union Level: The EU has demonstrated interest in territorial planning and land use management.
  • National Level: While a potential area for planning, in Spain, responsibility largely rests with regional governments.
  • Regional Level: This is the most appropriate level for territorial planning, with most Spanish regions having developed regional plans (Territorial Guidelines).
  • Sub-Regional Level: Crucial in large, heterogeneous regions, sub-regional plans bridge regional and urban/sectoral planning.

Development of Territorial Planning in Spain

Land Act 1956:

Introduced the concept of cascading planning, including national, provincial, general/local, and partial/urban development plans.

Land Act 1975:

Introduced two new figures:

  • National Management Plan (PNO): Intended to establish broad land use guidelines but was never fully developed due to the transfer of planning powers to autonomous communities.
  • Territorial Coordination Plans (PDTC): Designed for supra-provincial or county areas, these plans aimed to formulate planning guidelines but were also superseded by regional legislation.

Development of Planning in the Autonomous Communities

Devolution of planning powers marked the true starting point of modern planning in Spain:

  1. Each Autonomous Community established its own legislation and territorial planning figures.
  2. Development and approval of regional territorial plans (general guidelines).
  3. Development and approval of sub-regional or district territorial plans (partial guidelines).
  4. Development and adoption of sectoral plans.

Basic Contents of a Territorial Plan

Classification Criteria:

  • Guidance or Binding Nature: Indicative measures encourage behavior, while binding measures are mandatory.
  • Passive or Active Nature: Passive measures are standards directly applicable to government and individuals, while active measures involve specific actions.
  • Direct or Indirect Nature: Direct measures are implemented directly, while indirect measures require further development at lower planning levels.

Infrastructure and Relational System

Territorial plans address key relational aspects:

  • Integration with the Outside: Connecting the territory to national and international networks.
  • Internal Cohesion: Articulating the planned territory effectively.
  • Intermodal Coordination: Coordinating different modes of transport (road, rail, port, airport, etc.).

Territorial Plans and the Regional Economic System

Territorial plans should address the following economic aspects:

  • Zoning: Identifying depressed, declining, and dynamic areas.
  • Improving Productive Infrastructure: Enhancing infrastructure to support economic activity.
  • Improving Technological Level: Attracting technologically advanced activities.

Territorial Plans and the Environment

Key environmental considerations:

  • Management Categories: Classifying land for appropriate use.
  • Green Belts: Designating and protecting green spaces.
  • Landscape Planning: Integrating landscape considerations into planning.