IX FORUM “Strategic Planning in the Regions and Cities of Russia”

St. Petersburg 18-19 October 2010

Arve SkjerpenArve SkjerpenVASAB VASAB CSPD CSPD ChairmanChairman

VASABVASABA cooperation of

11 ministers of the Baltic Sea Region

responsible for spatial planning and development

the organisation:

intergovernmental network founded in 1992 to promote cooperation on spatial planning and development in the Baltic Sea Region

VASABVASAB

main mission:

to prepare policy options for the territorial development of the Region and to provide

a forum for exchange of know-how on spatial planning and development between

the Baltic Sea countries

• The highest decision making body of VASAB is the Ministerial The highest decision making body of VASAB is the Ministerial ConferenceConference

• Since 1994 ministers are supported by Committee on Spatial Since 1994 ministers are supported by Committee on Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region (CSD/BSR) and permanent Development in the Baltic Sea Region (CSD/BSR) and permanent secretariatsecretariat

• Since 2009 Committee on Spatial Planning and Development Since 2009 Committee on Spatial Planning and Development

• CSCSPPD Chairmanship rotation similar to CBSSD Chairmanship rotation similar to CBSS

• Norwegian chairmanship July 2010 – June 20Norwegian chairmanship July 2010 – June 201111

• October 2010 CSPD decision on VASAB closer connection to the October 2010 CSPD decision on VASAB closer connection to the CBSS CBSS umbrellaumbrella

VASABVASAB

Key MilestonesKey Milestones

Tallinn 19941. VisionVision2.2. 4 outline strategies4 outline strategies3.3. Tentative Action PlanTentative Action Plan

Paving the way to BSR integration, cohesion, sustainable development

Stockholm 19961. 1. Summing up of the pilot projects Summing up of the pilot projects 2. 2. VASAB input to IR2C and B21VASAB input to IR2C and B213. 3. ICZM – common recommendations ICZM – common recommendations for the Regionfor the Region

Wismar 20011. 1. Action ProgrammeAction Programme (incl. definition of projects)(incl. definition of projects)2. 2. Key themes requiring common effortsKey themes requiring common efforts3. 3. VASAB input to IR3BVASAB input to IR3B

Gdańsk 20051. 1. Connecting PotentialsConnecting Potentials2. 2. VASAB input to the EU Cohesion PolicyVASAB input to the EU Cohesion Policy3. 3. Initiation of the Long Term PerspectiveInitiation of the Long Term Perspective

Vilnius 20101. 1. Long -Term PerspectiveLong -Term Perspective2. Policy Guidelines and Specific Actions2. Policy Guidelines and Specific Actions

for 3 prioritized issuesfor 3 prioritized issues3. 3. VASAB input to Maritime Spatial VASAB input to Maritime Spatial

PlanningPlanning

The Vision and StrategiesThe Vision and Strategies

I PearlsI Pearls

Urban network of international Urban network of international

importance importance

II StringsII Strings

Effective and sustainable links Effective and sustainable links

between cities between cities

III PatchesIII Patches

Areas supporting dynamism and Areas supporting dynamism and

quality of lifequality of life

IV SystemIV System

Comprehensive spatial planning Comprehensive spatial planning

in functionin function

Tallinn 1994

1. Co-operation of urban regions . Co-operation of urban regions on key issues of sustainable development on key issues of sustainable development

2. 2. Strategic Strategic spatialspatial development zones development zones important for transnational integration important for transnational integration within the BSR within the BSR

33. . Transnational Transnational transport links transport links important for cross-BSR and cross-Europe integration important for cross-BSR and cross-Europe integration

44. . Diversification and strengthening of Diversification and strengthening of rural areas rural areas

55. . Development of transnational Development of transnational green networks green networks incl. cultural incl. cultural landscapes landscapes

66. . Integrated development of Integrated development of coastal zonescoastal zones and islandsand islands

VASAB 20VASAB 2010 PLUS 10 PLUS 6 6 KKey ey TThemeshemes

Wismar 2001

VASAB VASAB ACHIEVEMENTS 15 YEARS OF AFTER TALLIACHIEVEMENTS 15 YEARS OF AFTER TALLINNNN

Defined common vision and principles for sustainable spatial development in the BSR

Inspired transnational spatial planning policy documents within the framework of CEMAT /Guiding Principles for Sustainable Spatial Development of the European Continent/ and EU /European Spatial Development Perspective/

Provided forum for discussions on the spatial policy issues within the BSR

Improved basic knowledge on spatial development processes and challenges in the BSR

Generated transnational cooperation projects

Contributed to the INTERREG IIC and INTERREG IIIB operational programmes for the BSR and

to overcoming incompatibilities among the INTERREG, Phare

and Tacis programmes

Supported partnership between EU and non-EU countries

The VASAB 2010 process served as an eye-opener for EuropeThe VASAB 2010 process served as an eye-opener for Europe

It demonstratedIt demonstrated : :- - transnational political interest in shaping common territorial strategies for a macro- transnational political interest in shaping common territorial strategies for a macro-region region –– the Baltic Sea Region the Baltic Sea Region- the - the high spirit of transnational cooperation between stakeholders representing high spirit of transnational cooperation between stakeholders representing different sectors, regions and cities, enforcing the competitive potential of the regiondifferent sectors, regions and cities, enforcing the competitive potential of the region This drive stimulated the decision at European level to enlarge the EC INTERREG This drive stimulated the decision at European level to enlarge the EC INTERREG Programme with a new strand for transnational cooperation,Programme with a new strand for transnational cooperation, leading to pan- leading to pan-European coverage of transnational areas of cooperation European coverage of transnational areas of cooperation

Peter Mehlbye, Director of the ESPON Coordination Unit Danish official in the VASAB process 1992-1997  

Substance of the LTPSubstance of the LTPRationale and focusRationale and focus of the LTP of the LTP

1.1. Trends and conditions for territorial developmentTrends and conditions for territorial development

2. 2. Territorial cohesion perspective of the Baltic Territorial cohesion perspective of the Baltic Sea Region 2030Sea Region 2030

3.3. Policy guidelines and specific actions to Policy guidelines and specific actions to achieve the territorial cohesion perspectiveachieve the territorial cohesion perspective

• Urban networking and urban-rural Urban networking and urban-rural relationsrelations 9 actions9 actions• Accessibility issuesAccessibility issues 9 actions9 actions• Sea space planning andSea space planning and management management 3 actions3 actions

AppendixAppendix: : Synthesis document (summary of trends Synthesis document (summary of trends and challenges resulting from East West Window and challenges resulting from East West Window project analyses)project analyses)

Vilnius 2009

In the year 2030 the Baltic Sea Region is a well integrated and coherent macro region, with overcome socio‐economic development divides between its individual parts and with the global challenges turned into assets

It is regarded a model for successful implementation of the territorial cohesion policy and effective cooperation between European Union countries and the neighbouring countries for the development of a transnational area

It features a well balanced setup of metropolitan centres, which act as global and BSR gateways, and small and medium size cities and towns, which secure a high life quality to residents in both urban and rural areas

It accounts for fast, reliable and environmentally efficient technologies of transport, information and communication that link the territories along and across the Baltic Sea, making the community of the Baltic Sea Region well connected and highly accessible in the contacts both internally and with the outside world

It has an integrated energy production and supply system with well diversified sources of energy, including renewable energies

It is a veritable European sea macro region, which demonstrates an integrated land and sea space planning and management, The Baltic Sea is acknowledged as a common asset and a development resource of all the countries, and the maritime spatial planning principles alleviate potential sea use conflicts for the present and future generations

The 2030 PerspectiveThe 2030 Perspective

2030 : Territorial 2030 : Territorial development perspectivedevelopment perspective

Vilnius Declaration 2009Vilnius Declaration 2009

Improving internal and external accessibility- Dialogue with Dialogue with the EC, relevant national ministries and stakeholders towards improving external and internal accessibility

Promoting urban networking and urban-rural co-operation- Pan-Baltic Conference Pan-Baltic Conference to counteract the impact from the demographic trends and labour market development on the urban-rural polarization and social cohesion (2011/2012) - VASAB Expert and Stakeholder Meeting on Demographic Trends and VASAB Expert and Stakeholder Meeting on Demographic Trends and LaboLabouur Market r Market Development, Kaunas, 8 June 2010Development, Kaunas, 8 June 2010 - VASAB Expert Workshop "Urban-Rural Partnerships in the Baltic Sea - VASAB Expert Workshop "Urban-Rural Partnerships in the Baltic Sea Region“, Minsk, 21 September 2010 Region“, Minsk, 21 September 2010

Enhancing maritime spatial planning and management - - - Joint, co-chaired VASAB-HELCOM Maritime Spatial Working Group Maritime Spatial Working Group (2010)- Pan-Baltic Conference Pan-Baltic Conference to develop a common approach for the Baltic Sea MSP (2012)

VASAB 2010 VASAB 2010 VISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTICVISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTIC

PPOLITICAL ANCHORAGEOLITICAL ANCHORAGE

- - Periodical Ministerial ConferencesPeriodical Ministerial Conferences-- Recognition by the Recognition by the Council of the Baltic Sea StatesCouncil of the Baltic Sea States- - Senior Officials Committee – Senior Officials Committee – Committee on Spatial Committee on Spatial Planning and Planning and

Development Development in the Baltic Sea Regionin the Baltic Sea Region - - Rotation of the Chairmanship on yearly basisRotation of the Chairmanship on yearly basis- Close cooperation with the European Commission - Close cooperation with the European Commission VASAB is implementing horizontal action of the EU Baltic Sea VASAB is implementing horizontal action of the EU Baltic Sea

Region StrategyRegion Strategy

VASAB 2010 VASAB 2010 VISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTICVISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTIC

- Forum for exchanging of experience between key spatial planners in the Forum for exchanging of experience between key spatial planners in the BSBSR on professional issues (methodology development)R on professional issues (methodology development)

- Forum for harmonisation of spatial development policies and spatial Forum for harmonisation of spatial development policies and spatial plans in the plans in the BSBSR (recommendations of transnational policy measures)R (recommendations of transnational policy measures)

- Common Baltic voice on spatial issuesCommon Baltic voice on spatial issues

- Forum promoting strategic projects, monitoring their results and Forum promoting strategic projects, monitoring their results and disseminating the most strategic onesdisseminating the most strategic ones

RRole of VASABole of VASAB among the BSR countamong the BSR countriesries

www.vasab.org www.vasab.org VASAB Secretariat in Riga

Elizabetes str.19, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia

Tel: +371 67350630, Fax: +371 67350626

E-mail: info@vasab.org