EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Cities as motors of territorial cohesion

Cities as motors of territorial cohesion - Ljubljana, 26-27 September 2008

26-09-2008, Source: European Council of Spatial Planners

Introduction

One of the central questions in the professional debate concerning planners and territorial cohesion is how can they contribute to the political objective? As put by Jan Vogelij, the EU policy reflects ECTP aims, as well as objectives of future oriented planning practice. This means that documents concerning territorial cohesion include descriptions as set by European planning professionals. They show the consensus achieved in preparatory discussions and reflect professional coherence, clarify possible contributions of planners, target the regional scale, suggest applicable planning approaches and show governance models, essential for achieving territorial cohesion. However, the newly adopted policy requires elaboration and interpretation into terms that can be applied in planning practice. Furthermore, territorial cohesion can only be achieved by addressing objects of spatial planning in a more targeted way, implying necessary improvements of governance and education.

Description

The event continues from two conferences, dealing with territorial cohesion, which were held in London (March 2008) and Marne la Vallee (June 2008).

The conference will target three typical sequences or groups of actors important in achieving territorial cohesion by planning. Topics are grouped under the typical target group

1. Local and regional authority

Government policy concerning economic, social and environmental policies on cohesiveterritories.
Promotion of decision-making processes of policy implementation.
Examples of effective and inclusive participation, representation and leadership.

2. Planning academics and theoreticians

Ideas on pragmatism, applicability, responsiveness to the new city and new economy.
Generic skills required for specific professions to effectively deliver coherent territories(such as visioning, leadership, community engagement and communication).

3. Consultants and practitioners

Best practices, cooperation, plan implementation, public-private partnership, application of new skills in plan development and production.

Provisional Conclusions

Government policy concerning economic, social and environmental issues has to bebetter coordinated to achieve cohesive territories.
Decision-making processes should be coupled with effective and inclusive participation, representation and leadership.
Modern spatial planning processes should be open, interactive and integrative and focused on strengthening opportunities to capitalise on the territories qualities.
Formation of coherent territories can be accelerated by development of generic skills,which interface other professions and stakeholders (such as visioning, leadership, community engagement and communication).
Capabilities to organise and guide planning processes must become an imp ortant item in the profession’s development.
Achieved desired practical results have to be widely promoted, whereby also particular processes and methods are emphasised, such as cooperation, plan implementation, public-private partnership and new skills (facilitators, negotiators, moderators etc.).

Programme

Click here for the programme. For a copy of the registration form, please email secretariat@ceu-ectp.org.

Location

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Links

Click here to visit the website of the European Council of Spatial Planners

Files

Click here to download the conference flyer (PDF, Eng, 84 kB)

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