Revisiting a programmatic planning approach: managing linkages between transport and land use planning

Abstract

The body of knowledge on transport and land use planning shows considerable overlap with management theories and practices. Notable examples can be found in project management and strategic management. Recently, in the field of management theory, the idea of programme management has gained prominence in response to the need to coordinate on a tactical level. Programme management links to both strategic management and project management, as it focuses on the coordinated management of related projects in order to realize strategic objectives. In line with the tradition to integrate management theories into spatial planning, the aim of this paper is to explore the power of a programme management approach in a transport and land use planning context. We investigate whether and how a programme management approach when applied in transport and land use planning can deal with three important interrelated challenges that emerge between the strategic and operational level in transport and land use planning: (1) linking strategic goals to operational projects, (2) developing the accompanying joint organizational structures, and (3) moulding fixed and separate procedures into more adaptive joint decision-making processes. To do so, we conducted an in-depth case study of two recent programme management approaches in Dutch transport and land use planning. We show that both programmes function as platforms where different parties come together and where a wide range of management and monitoring tools are used to guide the programme in a specific direction.

Keywords::

• land use planning
• project management
• programme management
• programmatic planning approach
• strategic planning
• transport planning

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tim Busscher

Tim Busscher is a PhD Candidate at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen. His research focuses on programmatic planning in a transport and land use planning context.

Taede Tillema

Taede Tillema was a senior researcher at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen. He is now working at the Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis.

Jos Arts

Jos Arts is a professor in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen. He also works as a strategic scientific adviser at the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of the Infrastructure and the Environment.