ABSTRACT
Strategic spatial planning (SSP) has been a key planning practice supporting spatial transformation globally. However, designing and implementing strategic spatial plans is a complex task. The process involves prioritizing planning intentions, establishing funding mechanisms and structuring governance settings, which take shape within power configurations. It is within this complexity that a participatory and integrative planning approach assumes increasing importance when addressing, strategically, societal challenges such as spatial injustice. Furthermore, a consolidated planning practice – that is the experiences in dealing with SSP are thought to influence how strategic plans are prepared and executed. Bearing in mind the influential role of preceding experiences in SSP processes as well as of participation, project promotion and policy integration, this paper synthesizes the results of a literature review reflecting three decades of SSP (1990–2020) in England. England has a well-defined history of engagements with SSP. The purpose is to discuss lessons learned from looking back 30 years and debate suggestions for how to design future SSP that account for public and private interests and align cross-sectoral policies. To overcome democratic accountability constraints and steering resource management effectively, this review pleas for more cooperative central–local relationships in shaping future SSP processes in England and beyond.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Editor-in-chief and three anonymous referees for their thoughtful comments and efforts towards improving this manuscript. Eduardo Oliveira has received financial support from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (Grant agreement No 677140 MIDLAND).
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).