SPLAN-Natura 2000 · The Natura 2000 network across borders 17 • Functional connectivity by...
Transcript of SPLAN-Natura 2000 · The Natura 2000 network across borders 17 • Functional connectivity by...
SPLAN-Natura 2000
Commissioned by DG Environment
Towards an integrated spatial planning approach
for Natura 2000
17th January, 2017 Brussels V. Simeonova (Ph.D.)
Drivers towards integrating Biodiversity conservation objectives in sectoral policies Polices:
● Nature Directives and Natura 2000 other environmental legislation
● Fitness check report
● European Semesters
Research:
● Ecological networks & habitat connectivity
● Ecosystem services
● Population viability
Societal challenges:
● Sustainability goals and socio-economic needs
Spatial development and competing claims
Social equity
Environmental quality
Economic growth
Sustainable spatial
development Natura 2000 and Land Use Pressures
Methodology: policies, scales, practices
Policy background
Assessment of coherence between
spatial planning, sectoral policies and
Natura 2000
Spatial Planning Scale
EU, Member
States, local context
Best practices
Spatial planning for Natura 2000 in different sectors
Coherence between spatial planning, Natura 2000 and sectoral policies
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Understanding the role of Spatial Planning?
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Coordination of spatial dimension of sectoral policies dealing with tensions and contradictions among sectoral policies.
Long-medium-term strategies for territories, dealing with land use and physical development, coordinating sectoral policies
ESP Compendium: methods to influence the future distribution of activities in space, creating a more rational territorial organization of land uses.....to balance demands for development with the need to protect the environment ensure social and economic development
Measures to coordinate the spatial impacts of sectoral policies to achieve a more even distribution of economic development between regions than would otherwise be created by market forces, and to regulate the conversion of land and property uses.
How spatial planning usually works?
Coordinate policy objectives of different sectors
Strategic long term vision for territorial development
Methodology: tools to integrate, balance and collaborate
approval of plans and projects strategy directing spatial development
How Spatial Planning implements Natura 2000?
Spatial planning policy
Natura 2000 policy
(Nature Directives)
Land use pressures
•Sectoral legislation •Sectoral plans •Spatial plans
Assessment of impacts of spatial plans and projects
on Natura 2000 (article 6)
Spatial Planning of the Member Sates
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Variety of planning systems with differences in: Priorities embedded in
spatial planning policy regarding nature conservation (scope)
Governance levels at which spatial planning addresses these priorities (competences) Instruments that spatial
planning provides Cross-cutting effect of
spatial planning policy Actors involved
No unified and systematic approach to spatial planning
for Natura 2000!
Spatial planning families in Europe
Integrated Spatial Planning for Natura 2000?
• to maintain the spatial coherence of Natura 2000
• trade-offs between sectoral developments and nature conservation
• to achieve an effective long term implementation process.
SPLAN Natura 2000 findings
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Spatial Planning and Natura 2000: Towards an Integrated Spatial Planning Approach Key messages:
Integration of the Birds and Habitats Directives’ provisions in spatial planning processes is indispensable.
Implementing an integrated spatial planning approach needs progress
Shared governance practices, based on co-ordination and co-operation among different governmental levels and across sectoral policies.
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Key messages:
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Decentralization of spatial planning competences and responsibilities
Local authorities need sufficient administrative and knowledge capacity
Considering land-use development trends and pressures on Natura 2000
Foreseeing mitigation of impacts on the connectivity and functionality of the network.
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Key message:
Ongoing urbanisation, intensification of agriculture and land abandonment.
Future: in peripheral regions land abandonment, renewable energy. In non-peripheral regions, urbanisation, infrastructure, transport, renewable energy, agriculture
In the marine area: extraction of non-living resources, tourism and recreation.
Land use pressures: present and future
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Synergy between sectoral policies, spatial planning and Natura 2000
Key message:
• Evident synergy between sectoral policies and Nature Directive (guidelines for applying integrated spatial planning approaches)
• A number of successful planning practices and lessons learned
• Stakeholder participation and consultation and representation of actors from different sectors.
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Key messages: • Variety of funding measures
to improve the functionality and connectivity of Natura 2000 and enhance synergy between spatial planning processes of the MSs.
• Synergy between different EU
funding instruments in order to enhance the impact of these funds on nature conservation and Natura 2000 implementation
EU funds and Natura 2000
The Natura 2000 network across borders
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• Functional connectivity by cross-border planning.
• Cross-border initiatives not yet a common practice.
• Lack of strategic guidance, transaction costs and understanding of benefits.
• Cross-border collaboration to be embedded in the Habitat and Birds Directives
• Cross border spatial planning for Natura 2000 part of Life+ and Territorial Cooperation.
Spatial planning technologies for Natura 2000
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• GIS tools: reliable information basis and decision-support tools.
• Harmonisation of data, common standards for information use.
• Impacts of development plans on Natura 2000, can be assessed based on different data at different spatial scales.
• Innovative GIS decision-support tools to enhance public participation and solicit wide-range of experts and public opinions.
Key conclusions
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Policy frameworks Natura 2000: an integral part of
long term strategies for spatial planning
Spatial planning systems of the Member States need to be enhanced with regard to the need to implement the Nature Directives ( e.g. Natura 2000 a priority objective within long term spatial plans (5-10 years);
Key conclusions
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Process and Knowledge Development of spatial plans need
to be based on ecological knowledge and principles and be developed by interdisciplinary teams of experts;
SEA, EIA and AA need to be based on sector-specific impact assessment criteria on ecological connectivity (e.g. guidelines per sector, update guidelines).
Early engagement of stakeholders will ensure the quality, legitimacy, and the public support for the plan
Coordination across scales of
planning
Consultation and participation
Stakeholders’
early involvement
Collaboration across sectors
Ecological knowledge on impacts and
measures
Strategic vision
Shared responsibilities
and competences
Institutional
capacity to link strategies with
spatial plans
Decision-support tools
Sectoral developments
Towards an integrated spatial planning approach for Natura 2000!