Erzsébet Vajdovich Visy SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: INTERRELATIONS PhD Thesis Abstract Consulting Professor: Dr. Gábor Ónodi January, 2006
PhD School Name: PhD School of Environmental Sciences Scientific discipline: Environmental Science Head: Dr. Zoltán Menyhért university professor, doctor of agricultural sciences Szent István University Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management Department of Ecological Farming Consulting professor: Dr. Gábor Ónodi PhD Associate professor, PhD Szent István University Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management Spatial Planning Department...... Az iskolavezető jóváhagyása A témavezető jóváhagyása 2
1. BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES Membership in the European Union and preparations for the new programming period of 2007-2013 are new challenges facing Hungary. The elaboration of a new spatial development strategy is under way. The challenges are at the same time potentials for the application of innovative principles and approaches in the elaboration of the new strategy. Fundamental characteristic features of the innovative approach are the consistent, close interrelations of economic competitiveness, social integration and the environmental criteria of sustainability. A further characteristic element is the principle of spatial cohesion comprising the requirements of potential-based spatial development supported by improving accessibility and stakeholder cooperation. All these entail the review and re-evaluation of the Hungarian spatial development and planning experience. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to this process. 2. ANALYSIS The survey of the development of the environmental view reveals that the consideration of the various aspects of the environment, the efforts to associate with these aspects, to protect from them, use them, adapt to them and change them have been prevailing all through the history of mankind. The relations between man and his environment have been changing in this process. The global recognition of the responsibility for the environment has devolved during the last hundred hundred and fifty years. The analysis of the history of spatial planning theory and practice leads to the conclusion that the stages of this process reflect the consecutive stages of urbanisation and global economy. This applies to the international and national theories and practice of earlier and recent past as well as to the inconsistencies, confusions and perplexed searches in Hungary after the change of the political system. It is through the study of the interrelations of the concepts of sustainable development and spatial planning that one can outline the potentials of joint development of environmental management and spatial planning, their coordinated value system, approach and practice. After the historic survey the thesis provides an analysis of the work processes of two major spatial planning projects of the last two decades: the elaboration of the National Spatial Plan and the Plan of County Győr Moson Sopron. These projects are characterised by the pursuit of innovative solutions and present innovative approaches to the issues of land use, transport and communication and of the settlement system. 3
3. RESULTS OF THE ANALYSIS In the thesis a proposal is presented, on the basis of the survey and evaluation of earlier and recent premises, of theoretical and practical experience, for a potential model of the cooperation of spatial planning and environmental management and its application in the Hungarian context. Concern for the spatial and environmental aspects and the mobilisation of the instruments of planning in this effort is of course not unprecedented. Its importance has increased during the last century, as both the spatial and the environmental issues have direct effect on human life at both global and local levels. There is a multitude of political, economic, cultural and scientific endeavours to solve or mitigate the various problems of the environment and spatial development. The problems are manifold, and the more a regional (spatial) or environmental issue comes to the limelight, the greater is the concentration upon the solution on this specific aspect, overshadowing the broad interrelations. The notions of both the environment and the territory are very complex, and the interrelations of the components are mutually determining. The evaluation, validation and application of these interrelations are yet to proceed from the initial theoretical foundation. It is a promising recent development that besides analysis, the synthetic approach has attained justification. It has been recognized that synthesis may lead to new findings, both in science and practice. This recognition can be traced in the approach to environmental and territorial matters as well as in the emphasis of their interrelations. Environmental management and spatial planning are closely connected activities, which can increase their mutual efficacy. Nevertheless, spatial planning could not contribute sufficiently to the cause of the environment, and environmental management has not been harmonized with the complex territorial view. This thesis intends to develop a framework for the consistent cooperation of environmental management and spatial planning by means of a proposal for a spatial planning system. The essential quality of this proposed system is that it adopts principles of environmental management, at the same time it is open to the economic and social issues. Thereby it assumes new contents and approaches and may perform its broad sphere of functions with greater efficiency. 4
4. NEW SCIENTIFIC RESULTS On the basis of the analysis of the tools and methods found in professional literature, and also on the basis of the experience gained from my spatial planning practice I have studied the possibilities to integrate of the aspects of environmental management in spatial planning. From among the findings of this research I point out the following new scientific results: 1. I have revealed and supported through the presentation of concrete cases that, although the importance of the principles of environmental management is generally recognized and articulated in the various social, cultural and political declarations, their actual application in the social and economic practice is imperfect, and the progress in this respect is not at all smooth. 2. With reference to my own spatial planning experience I have demonstrated that spatial planning, an activity which would deserve greater recognition and scope in the public view and societal practice, can promote and contribute to the performance of the complex, significant and difficult task of environmental management. I have demonstrated that spatial planning, an activity itself needing reform, has never been alien to the environmental view. The examples presented in the thesis may underline the mutual benefits of cooperation. 3. Some aspects of the approach and some methodological solutions applied in the elaboration of the National Spatial Plan and the Spatial Plan of County Győr Moson Sopron (carried out under my leadership) can be regarded as new and innovative, with special regard to the following: 3.1 Programming, concentration and subsidiarity are essential methodological principles of European spatial planning. However, potential orientation (mobilisation of inherent potentials as distinct from problem orientation and redistributive approach) is an innovative approach, which I have proposed on the basis of my analysis of European cohesion policy. 3.2 The methodology of participatory spatial planning has been enriched by the solutions applied in the planning process of County Győr Moson Sopron based on the consistent cooperation with the local governments, involvement of the residents, the civil organisations and the enterprises by means of systematic information, outreach and dialogue and by means of the arrangement of consultative public meetings at each stage of the planning process. 3.3 The set of sustainability criteria laid down in the European Spatial Development Perspective has determined the value system of our spatial planning process. For the implementation of this value system a screening method has been applied in the spatial planning process for both County Győr Moson Sopron and the Western Transdanubian Region. 5
3.4 Examples of the complex approach and sustainability orientation are the solutions for the development of the spatial structure and for the promotion of expedient land uses. The National Spatial Plan and the spatial plans of the administrative counties have contributed to agro-environmental management by means of the following: By outlining a framework though land-use regulation: delimitation of environmentally sensitive areas, the national ecological network, areas requiring rehabilitation and definition of the use criteria; By the provision of transport and communication links for ensuring accessibility to markets and for promoting the flow of information; By identifying local centres for sales, marketing, access to information, institutional development; By proposing guidelines for the attainment of planning objectives; By presenting project proposals for the implementation of priorities. 4. On the basis of the critical evaluation of the methods presented in the survey of literature and on the basis of the experience gained from my spatial planning practice I have elaborated a proposal for a new spatial planning model is supported by theoretical considerations and which is applicable in practice. This model manifests the view and principles of environmental management and is based on the interrelations of the economic, social and environmental aspects. The model is presented by the following scheme: Survey, analysis p r i n c p l e s Strengths, weaknesses, Potentials, threats vision objectives priorities territorial impact assessment Criteria, constraints, selection of instruments territorial impact assessment Operative programs Guidelines projects regulations 6
In this model the planning phases, separated from one another in the previous as well as current Hungarian planning practice, are linked to form a unity. The economic, social, ecological and technological aspects are taken into account in their inter-relations. In the course of the planning process thus summarized in this model, it is possible for the preparation of development programs to rely on the surveys and analyses and make use of the conclusions and proposals elaborated by the spatial (physical) planners. This interaction brings benefits for both spatial (physical) and development planning. In the current Hungarian practice the findings and results of the spatial planning process are only partially presented in the statutory plans. The statutory plans contain no more than the maps, primarily the delimitation of land use zones and the relevant zoning regulations. These comprise the explicit regulations of the spatial plans specified in Act XXVI/ 2003 on the National Spatial Plan. In addition, there are implicit regulations specified in other Acts (Land Act, Nature Conservation Act, etc) and lower level legislation. Furthermore, during the planning process several guidelines and development proposals, recommendations are formulated, which, however, do not fit into the statutory documents. They, however, could be of use for development in the framework of the joint planning process. 7
5. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS The beginning of new spatial planning processes is usually linked to some important societal change. In Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia the elaboration of new spatial plans was necessary after of political change, and later at the accession to the European Union. When Ireland and Austria joined the European Union, the process was also coupled with the renewal of spatial planning, and later, the enlargement of the European Union the decrease of development resources made it necessary to rethink the spatial planning priorities. Spatial planning has assumed new approaches and orientations in several countries following the guidelines laid down in the European Spatial Development Perspective. The beginning of a new spatial planning process should not be restricted to the preparation of a new set of plans of the spatial hierarchy. It should rather involve the renewal and reform of the spatial planning system as a whole. This opportunity was presented and missed in Hungary, in connection with the adoption of the new planning legislation in 1996. For the development of a contemporary spatial planning system it would be necessary to launch a spatial research programme, by incorporating the results of various ad hoc projects, for the study of the territorial demographic, economic, social, environmental processes, changes of living conditions, lifestyles, infrastructure, land-use. Special attentions should be paid to the impacts of domestic and international policies and programmes. The primary tasks of the spatial research program are survey, evaluation and recording. During the last tow decades several scientific studies were undertaken, which can be of use for an appropriate spatial planning process. With the help of scientific and spatial planning experience new spatial strategies should be worked out for the national territory, for the regions and micro regions. These ther spatial categories can be the most appropriate categories of statutory spatial planning. The proposed spatial planning model represents progress in the Hungarian system, because It lays emphasis on interrelations, For each territorial (national, regional, micro-regional) level it renders a long-term vision and strategy, based on the principle of sustainable development of the area, The long term vision, the objectives and the strategy (priorities set for the attainment of objectives) comprise the dimensions of economic development, societal service and environmental management, This is the basis and rationale of operative measures such as the development programmes as well as guidelines and regulations for ensuring spatial harmony and balance, The spatial plan is also a framework for the elaboration and coordination of sectoral programmes, The spatial plan and the associate operative measures are based on the partnership principle, and are thus addressed to both the managing authority and the other actors and stakeholders of spatial processes including the enterprises and the residents. The interrelations of the economic (efficiency, added value), social (welfare, cultural) and environmental (ecological aesthetic) dimensions are demonstrated on the following scheme. 8
TERRITORIAL QUALITY social & welfare principles Social & cultural system natural & built environment ecological & aesthetic principles TERRITORIAL IDENTITY economic system TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY productivity & economic growth 9
6. RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS 6. 1 Publications in periodicals Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Az urbanizáció mai tendenciái és problémái az Egyesült Államokban (Településtudományi Közlemények, No. 23. 1971. pp.105-117.) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A területrendezési tervezés szemléleti változásai (Településtudományi Közlemények No. 33., 1985.pp. 102-114.) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Útkeresés és változások: településtervezés ma, Európában (Településtudományi Közlemények No. 36. Budapest, 1988. pp. 87-101) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A tervezés dilemmái (Falu Város Régió 1997/ 5.pp, 19-20) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet Ferencsik István: Az Országos Területrendezési Tervhez kapcsolódó térinformatikai alapú elérhetőségi vizsgálat (Falu Város Régió1999/5. pp. 20-21) Vajdovich-Visy, E.: The National Spatial Plan of Hungary (EUREG No.7.1998. pp.58-60.) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A Vision Planet Program (Falu Város Régió1999/8. pp. 31-32) Máté Zsolt, Molnár Attila, Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Regionális, települési és műemléki tervezés és kutatás a VÁTI-ban (Falu Város Régió 2000/8. pp.14-15) 6. 2 Other publications Vajdovich Visy, E Ormosy, V.: The Pécs Case, Hungary: The diversity of policy responses in a turbulent environment and their influence on the local planning process (Swedish Council for Building Research, D7:1987, pp. 1-55) Környezeti nevelés, oktatás és képzés Magyarországon / Environmental education and training in Hungary, KTM, Budapest 1993, pp. 1-23, published in Hungarian and English) Vision Planet: A Közép-Európai, a Duna menti és az Adriai Térség Integrált Területfejlesztési Stratégiája Irányelvek és fejlesztéspolitikai javaslatok /Integrated Spatial Development Strategy for the Central European, Danubian and Adriatic Region Guidelines and policy recommendations(pp. 1-126, 2000, published in English, Hungarian, German, Slovakian, Slovenian, Bulgarian, Czech, Italian languages on paper and CD, Hungarian publication: FVM, Budapest 2000.) 6. 3 Proceedings of international conferences Vajdovich Visy, E.: Inner City Areas: Implications of Economic Change for Urban Policies, in: Proceedings of the Third Congress of the Regional Science Association (RSA) Israel, Jerusalem, 2-7 April, 1989. pp. 65-73 Vajdovich Visy, E.: Regional Planning in Hungary in: Regional Physical Planning Practice and Challenges, Proceedings of the International Conference on the Occasion of the 30 th 10
Anniversary of Nationally Organised Physical Planning in Slovenia, Bled 1998 ISBN 961-6276-10-7, pp. 45-53 Vajdovich Visy, E: Cooperative and participatory spatial planning in Hungary (in: The Elan Vital of the Community: Individuals as Citizens, Symposium for the Japan-EU People to People Program Exchange Year, Tokyo, March 2005, pp. 16-17, 30-31) 6. 4 Editorial work of international publication Talyigás, K. Vajdovich Visy, E.(eds) : Fighting Poverty Together (proceeding of the Budapest International Workshop on Inter-Disciplinary and Inter-Sectoral Co-operation for the Improvement of the Quality of Social Services, Budapest, 2001) 6. 5 Papers published in books Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Makro-regionális összefüggések in: Glatz Ferenc, Dövényi Zoltán, Hajdu Zoltán (eds.): Magyarországi Duna-völgy területfejlesztési kérdései, Magyar Tudományos Akadémia, Budapest, 2002. ( pp. 503-520, GIS: Vass Gábor) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Törekvések a környezetvédelem érvényesítésére az Európai Unióban és a magyar területi tervezésben, in: Fodor József (ed.): A környezetvédelem, környezetgazdálkodás európai törekvései, Pécsi Akadémiai Bizottság, under publication Vajdovich Visy, E: Ungheria: un esperienza di governo e tutela (in: Governare l'aqua. Difesa del territorio, qualitá, tutela, servizi. Emergenze regionali e confronti europei, Edizioni Concordia Sette, Pordenone, 2004. ) 155-163 p. Vajdovich Visy, E: An Umbrella Plan for the Regions (in Müller et al. ed.: Rise and Decline of Industry in Central and Eastern Europe, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2005. ) 111-131 p. 11
7. RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY 7. 1 Spatial planning projects Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): A Duna.térség szlovák-magyar részének értékelése és fejlesztési lehetőségei, Hungarian Slovakian cooperation, VÁTI, URBION- AUREX, 1997-98. pp. 1-124 Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): Országos Területrendezési Terv, Előkészítő munkarész (vizsgálat és program, 1-154 pp), Javaslattevő munkarész (1-82 pp), Egyeztetési anyag (1-74 pp), Előterjesztés a Kormány részére (1-42 pp), VÁTI, Budapest, 1997-2001. Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): Győr Moson Sopron megye Területfejlesztési Koncepciójának aktualizálása (pp. 1-14 ), Vizsgálat (pp. 1-113), Program és tervjavaslat (pp. 1-85), VÁTI, 1999-2001. Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): Győr Moson Sopron megye Területrendezési Terve, 2005. 7. 2 R + D projects Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A környezetvédelem, -alakítás és a területrendezés kapcsolata (VÁTI, Budapest, 1972.pp. 1-53) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Az urbanizáció és az ökológia egymásrahatása (VÁTI, Budapest,1974. pp. 1-134) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A településfejlődés irányításához szükséges főbb tevékenységek továbbfejlesztése, különös tekintettel azok tervezésére: a regionális és településtervezés korszerűsítése ( A települések fejlődésének irányítását megalapozó kutatások című OKKFT B/4 jelű program 3. A településfejlődés irányítása: tervezési, végrehajtási eszköz- és intézményrendszere című alprogram b/ jelű témája, 1980-1985 pp. 1-97) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): A Balatonkörnyék optimális fejlesztésének, településkörnyezeti szabályozásának megalapozása (a K-5 program keretében végzett kutatás dokumentációja, VÁTI, Budapest,1981, pp. 1-71) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A területi tervek megvalósulásának értékelése (VÁTI, Budapest,1983. pp.1-43 ) Vajdovich Visy, E.: Implementation of settlement development in County Baranya, SW Hungary (paper presented at the XII. Congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology, Section7, Budapest, 1983. pp. 1-16 ) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A terület- és településfejlesztés nemzetközi tapasztalatai (készült: A településfejlesztés hosszú távú országos koncepciójának alátámasztó tanulmányai című munka keretében, VÁTI, Budapest,1983 pp. 1-87) 12
Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A településfejlődés irányításához szükséges főbb tevékenységek továbbfejlesztése, különös tekintettel azok tervezésére: a regionális és településtervezés korszerűsítése (synthesis of the research program, VÁTI, Budapest,1985. pp.1-43) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A területi fejlődés fontosabb változási tendenciái az elmúlt másfél évtizedben, következtetések a hosszú távú tervezés számára (VÁTI, Budapest,1987. pp. 1-88) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Javaslatok a területrendezés átfogó reformjának előkészítésére (VÁTI, Budapest,1989. pp. 1-27) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Az országos területrendezési tervezés kérdései: a kutatások szintézise és a továbblépés elvei (VÁTI, Budapest,1990. pp. 1-65) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A magyar településrendszer alakulása és jövője az európai urbanizálódási trendek tükrében (VÁTI, Budapest,1990. pp. 1-65 ) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Gondolatok a Városépítés Városgazdaság szakmérnöki képzés jövőjéről (BME, Budapest,1991. pp. 1-26) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: Ökológiai szemléletű terület- és településtervezés (VÁTI, Budapest,1991. pp.1-36) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet: A területrendezés tartalmi követelményei és módszertana előkészítése a területfejlesztésről és rendezésről szóló törvénytervezettel összhangban: regionális módszertani kutatások (VÁTI, Budapest, 1995. pp. 1-47) Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): A Magyarországgal határos országok területi tervezésének vizsgálata, az együttműködés elősegítése (VÁTI, Budapest,1998. pp. 1-25) 7. 3 Participation in international research projects Vajdovichné Visy Erzsébet (project leader): A Bécs és Budapest közötti térség fejlesztési perspektívái (Bécs-Budapest, ÖIR-VÁTI, az ÖROK megbízására, 1998. 1-54 oldal) Vajdovich Visy, E. (project partner): Vision Planet: Strategies for Integrated Spatial Development of the Central European, Danubian and Adriatic Area, Part I: Guidelines and Proposals, 1-54 oldal, Part II: Background Report 1-102 oldal (Community Initiative Interreg II C & PHARE CBC), 1998-2000. Vajdovich Visy, E. (project partner): ESPON 2006 Program 1.1.1 The role, specific situation and potentials of urban areas as nodes in a polycentric development (2002-05) (www.espon.lu) Vajdovich Visy, E. (project partner): ESPON 2006 Program 1.1.2 Urban-rural relations in Europe (2002-05) (www.espon.lu) Vajdovich Visy, E. (project partner): ESPON 2006 Program 1.1.4 The spatial effects of demographic trends and migration (2002-05) (www.espon.lu) 13