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Spatial Planning - A Definition

There are, to quote the Planning Officers Society, 'many definitions of spatial planning in existence' (POS, 2004, pp8).

Albrechts (2001, pp1) sees spatial planning as: 'not a single concept, procedure or tool. It is a set of concepts, procedures and tools that must be tailored to whatever situation is at hand if desirable outcomes are to be achieved. Strategic plan making is as much about the process, institutional design and mobilization as about development of substantial theories. This broad area is reflected in the place and the role of planners in strategic spatial planning.'

In PPS 12 the ODPM suggests that: 'Local planning authorities should adopt a spatial planning approach to local development frameworks to ensure the most efficient use of land by balancing competing demands within the context of sustainable development,' (ODPM, 2004, pp3). PPS 12 goes on to define spatial planning thus 'Spatial planning goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function. This will include policies which can impact on land use, for example, by influencing the demands on or needs for development, but which are not capable of being delivered solely or mainly through the granting of planning permission and may be delivered through other means,' (ODPM, 2004, pp3).

Therefore it is evident that spatial planning moves focus from a land-use planning approach based on regulation and control of land, to a wider more far ranging approach that aims to ensure the best use of land by assessing competing demands. To this end social, economic and environmental factors are taken into account in producing a decision that is more conducive to sustainable development. The factors can include health, education, employment, crime prevention, leisure, biodiversity, recycling, energy etc.

References

Albrechts, L., 2001. Planners' Role in Strategic Spatial Planning, University of Leuven

DCLG, 2004. Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks, HMSO, London (http://www.communities.gov.uk/)

Planning Officers' Society, 2004. Polices for Spatial Plans: consultation draft, POS (www.planningofficers.org.uk)