Regional and transnational spatial planning1

The background of this paper and this special issue is informed by research conducted within the framework of the EURBANET project co‐financed by the European Community through the INTERREG IIC programme for the North‐West Metropolitan Area (NWMA). The contribution of Wil Zonneveld is part of the NWO‐ESR programme ‘Spatial Developments and Policies in Polynuclear Urban Configurations in Northwest Europe’ which was financed by NWO, BNG (Dutch Municipalities Bank) and the municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

: problems today, perspectives for the future

Abstract

This introductory contribution presents some results of the EURBANET project, dealing with European urban networks in the framework of the INTERREG IIC programme of the North‐western Metropolitan Area (NWMA). This project was conducted between 2000 and 2001 by researchers of Delft University of Technology, the University of Glasgow, the University of Dortmund, the Catholic University of Leuven and the University of Nijmegen. The central objective of the EURBANET project was to explore the role of polynucleated urban regions in the reinforcement of the competitive strength and quality of life in the NWMA, as a contribution to transnational spatial planning in the NWMA. Four polynuclear urban regions are involved: Randstad Holland, the Flemish Diamond, the RheinRuhr Area and Central Scotland (Glasgow‐Edinburgh region). One of the conclusions is that it is necessary to move between scales: from the European Union to national spatial policies (and vice versa), between national policies and regional spatial policies and between regional and urban spatial policies. At each scale, specific demands for spatial planning policies in polynuclear urban regions are becoming increasingly relevant. This is a challenge for spatial policies and policy domains like infrastructure policy, transport policy, housing policy, economic and environmental policy. We present an analysis of how polycentricity has become central to recent discussions on European and north‐west European spatial and economic planning. We launch a spatial network approach to integrate spatial policies. These wide perspectives contrast heavily with the current less satisfactory practice of spatial planning on the level of urban networks and transnational governance.

Notes

Hugo Priemus, OTB Research Institute for Housing, Urban and Mobility Studies, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. E‐mail: [email protected]

Wil Zonneveld, OTB Research Institute for Housing, Urban and Mobility Studies, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. E‐mail: [email protected]

The background of this paper and this special issue is informed by research conducted within the framework of the EURBANET project co‐financed by the European Community through the INTERREG IIC programme for the North‐West Metropolitan Area (NWMA). The contribution of Wil Zonneveld is part of the NWO‐ESR programme ‘Spatial Developments and Policies in Polynuclear Urban Configurations in Northwest Europe’ which was financed by NWO, BNG (Dutch Municipalities Bank) and the municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

INTERREG IIB, a so‐called Community Initiatives, was aiming at transnational cooperation, i.e. cooperation in a region encompassing the territory of a group of countries. The present programme (INTERREG IIIB) runs until 2006 (http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/interreg3/index_en.htm).

In the new Interreg IIIB programme (2002–2006) the adjective ‘metropolitan’ has been dropped , since this cooperation area has been enlarged to include areas like the Alsace (http://www.nweurope.org).

Not surprisingly the label ‘Vision Diagram’ has been the object of comments in the consultation phase of the Vision process. In particular France would like the title of the Vision Diagram being changed to integrate the idea that the Spatial Vision is only meant to be a proposal for discussion (NWMA Spatial Vision Group, 2001, p. 17).

This constellation of cities is sometimes referred to as the Belgium Central Network (see Union Économique Benelux, 1996).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wil Zonneveld

Hugo Priemus, OTB Research Institute for Housing, Urban and Mobility Studies, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. E‐mail: [email protected] Wil Zonneveld, OTB Research Institute for Housing, Urban and Mobility Studies, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. E‐mail: [email protected]