A Spatial Perspective for the North Sea Region Summary Draft · A Spatial Perspective for the North Sea Region Summary Draft. NORVISION A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NORTH SEA REGION

Co-financed by the European Community through the Interreg IIc North Sea Programme

A Spatial Perspective for the North Sea RegionA Spatial Perspective for the North Sea RegionA Spatial Perspective for the North Sea RegionA Spatial Perspective for the North Sea RegionSummary DraftSummary DraftSummary DraftSummary Draft

NNNN O RO RO RO R VVVV I S I O NI S I O NI S I O NI S I O N

A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NORTH SEA REGION

Summary Draft

Vision Working Group with representatives from spatial planning officesfrom the participating countries and regions

prepared by

PLANCO Consulting GmbHLilienstr. 44, D-45133 EssenTel. +49-(0)201-41921Fax +49-(0)201-411468e-mail: [email protected]://WWW.PLANCO.DE

NNNN O RO RO RO R VVVV I S I O NI S I O NI S I O NI S I O N - A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NORTH SEA REGION

PLANCO Consulting GmbH Draft October, 1999

NORTH SEA REGION SPATIAL VISION WORKING GROUP

DenmarkNational representativeFlemming Thornæs (Lead Manager)Ministry of Environment and EnergyHøjbro Plads 4DK-1200 Copenhagen KPhone: +45 33 92 70 64Fax.: +45 33 32 22 27E-mail: [email protected]

Regional representativeHenrik Brask PedersenMichael NielsonCounty of North JytlandNiels Bohrsvej 30Postbox 83009220 Aalborg ØPhone: +45 96 35 10 00Fax:+45 98 66 12 01E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

GermanyNational representativeJoachim GazeckiBundesministerium für Verkehr,Bau- und WohnungswesenDeichmanns Aue 31-3753179 BonnPhone: +49 228 3374331Fax : +49 228 337 4009e-mail: [email protected]

Regional representativeDr. Ralph BaumheierSenator für Bau, Verkehr und Stad-tentwicklungAnsgaritorsstr. 228195 BremenPhone: +49 421 361 6515Fax: +49 421 496 6515e-mail: [email protected]

NetherlandsNational representativeHenk KamphuisRijksplanologischer DienstRijnstraat 8, P.O.Box 30940,2500 GX The Hague,Phone: +31 70 339 32 75Fax: +31 70 339 30 87 or 339 30 52e-mail:[email protected]

Regional representativeWaldina HulshoffProvinsje FryslanTweebaksmarkt 52Postbus 201208900 HM LeeuwardenPhone: +31 58 29 25 617Fax: +31 58 29 25 123e-mail: [email protected]

NorwayNational representativeHarald NoreikMinistry of EnvironmentDepartment for Regional Planningand Resource ManagementMyntgata 2P.O. Box 8013 Dep.N-0030 OsloPhone: +47 22 24 59 38Fax: +47 22 24 27 59e-mail: [email protected]

Regional representativePer Fröyland PallesenRogaland FylkeskommuneRogaland CountyP.O. Box. 7984001 StavangerPhone: +47 51 51 66 81Fax: +47 51 51 66 74e-mail:[email protected]

SwedenNational representativesLars Husberger, architechtBOVERKETNational Board of Housing, Buildingand PlanningBoks 534S-371 23 KARLSKRONAPhone: +46 455 3531 07Fax: +46 455 3531 21e-mail:[email protected]

Regional representativesÅke LindenCecilia NilssonVästra Götaland County (Länsstyrel-sen)Södra Hamngatan 3S-403 40 GöteborgPhone +46 31 63 05 00Fax +46 31 63 09 70e-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

U.K.National representativesChristabel MyersIon VickersDepartment of the EnvironmentTransport and the RegionsEland House, 4th FloorBressenden PlaceLONDON SW1E 5DUPhone: +44 171 890 3911 (C.M.)Phone: +44 171 890 3885 (J.V.)Fax: +44 171 890 3909e-mail:[email protected][email protected]

U.K.Regional representativesMagne HaugsengTees Valley Joint Strategy UnitPO Box 199,Melrose House, 1 Melrose Street,Middlesbrough, TS1 2XFPhone: +44 (01642) 264850Fax: +44 (01642) 230870e-mail:[email protected]

Nick, EvansThe Scottish Office DevelopmentDepartmentVictoria QuayEdinburgh EH6 6QQPhone: +44 131 244 7552Fax: +44 131 244 7555e-mail:[email protected]

INTERREG II C - THE NORTH SEAREGION SECRETARIATc/o Viborg amtHead of SecretariatLorraine GeorgeSkotteborg 26DK-8800 ViborgDenmarkphone: +45 87 27 19 40fax: +45 86 62 68 62e-mail: [email protected]

ConsultantDr. Holger PlatzUlf SchultePLANCO Consulting GmbHLilienstr. 44D-45133 EssenGermanyPhone: +49 201 41921Fax: +49 201 411468e-mail: [email protected]

NNNN O RO RO RO R VVVV I S I O NI S I O NI S I O NI S I O N - A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NORTH SEA REGION

PLANCO Consulting GmbH December, 1999

ContentINTRODUCTION

1. The European context ..........................................................................................................................12. Common interest and identity in the NSR..........................................................................................13. Spatial regional policy & planning ......................................................................................................24. Purpose: Why a vision? .......................................................................................................................25. The Operational Programme of INTERREG II C.................................................................................36. The process...........................................................................................................................................3

THE VISION

1. What does the Vision stand for ...........................................................................................................32. Basic values reflected in the Vision ...................................................................................................33. Vision Statements.................................................................................................................................4

3.1 The North Sea Region as a whole .................................................................................................43.2 Urban Regions ...............................................................................................................................53.3 Rural Areas ....................................................................................................................................5

SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. The North Sea........................................................................................................................................62. Urban system ........................................................................................................................................63. Rural areas.............................................................................................................................................74. Nature areas, cultural heritage and tourism.......................................................................................75. Transport infrastructure.......................................................................................................................86. Energy .............................................................................................................................................8

STRATEGIES

1. Strategies for the NSR as a whole.....................................................................................................102. Strategies for urban regions .............................................................................................................133. Strategies for rural areas....................................................................................................................16

VISIONS INTO ACTIONS

1. Involvement of stakeholders ............................................................................................................172. Key themes ..........................................................................................................................................183. Visions into projects...........................................................................................................................184. Call for contributions to specify proposed action...........................................................................23

NNNN O RO RO RO R VVVV I S I O NI S I O NI S I O NI S I O N A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NORTH SEA REGION Summary (Draf t )


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INTRODUCTION

1. The European context

This document has been prepared within the frame-work of the EU Programme InterregIIC promotingtransnational cooperation in spatial planning - Inter-reg IIC. The North Sea Region (NSR) is one of anumber of regions for which such programme hasbeen set up.

Map 1: European Interreg II C Regions

Atlantic AreaBaltic Sea RegionCentral European, Adriatic, Danubian & S-E EuropeNorth Sea RegionNorth-West European Metropolitan AreaSouth-Western EuropeWestern Mediterranean and Latin Alps

Source: DGXVI

The NSR includes areas from six countries (Norway,Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands andthe U.K), comprising local authority areas which bor-der, or are close to, the North Sea, sharing commonpotentials and concerns.

2. Common interest andidentity of the NSR

The North Sea provides a cheap means of transport,is a source of substantial resources (fishery, energy),has significant impact on the climate, offers wide po-

tential for coastal tourism, is rich in bio-diversity, andis increasingly the object of common environmentalconcern.

Map 2: The North Sea Region

Source: Planco

The North Sea has shaped spatial development in itscoastal areas, with port cities, fishery harbours, ship-building industries, later then of oil and other rawmaterial processing industries, and, more recently,growing economic significance of logistic servicesand tourist industry.

Several port cities in the NSR offer the potential of'gateway cities’ in accordance with the ESDP con-cept, to spread economic development beyond largemetropolitan regions.

In spite of these joint interests, the NSR is morecharacterised by integration into the wider Europewhere internal and external cohesion run together. Itis shaped by secondary cities, depending largely ondecisions taken elsewhere, and major transport hubsoutside the region.

The NSR is not burdened with border or other poten-tial conflicts. It is an element of stability combinedwith long-standing experience with structural change.



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The NSR is an area of easy communication, with littlelanguage barriers and closeness of cultures and tra-ditions. It has become a knowledge centre for marineand off-shore technologies, coastal zone manage-ment (with its unique Wadden Sea), and more re-cently for electronics industries and services, for lo-gistics and aircraft industry, to name just a few.

Major threats are the rising sea level (particularly af-fecting wetland areas in the Netherlands, Germanyand Eastern England as well as the cities along riv-ers), sea pollution from shipping, urban and industrialwastes, soil and groundwater pollution from intensiveagriculture. Some coastal areas experience erosionand urban encroachment. Coastal economies sufferfrom the decline in traditional maritime or port-induced sectors (ship-building, fishery, raw materialprocessing heavy industries).

3. Spatial, regional pol-icy & planning

Spatial policy comprises (land use) planning and de-velopment promotion (regional policy). It is conceivedby the project as a cross-sector co-ordinating activityconducted in a transnational context to gain synergyfrom co-operation. Sector policies often influencespatial development.

4. Why a Vision?

The purpose of N O R V I S I O N is to:

• Identify potentials for gaining added valuethrough transnational co-operation;

• Provide an input to the formulation of a new Inter-reg programme (III) to come and beyond;

• Serve as a reference and inspiration for regionalplanners as regards overall spatial policies thatmay have an impact on regional development,

• Promote cross-sector co-ordination (at interna-tional and national levels) by providing sectorplanners with an integrated view on future devel-opment of the NSR.

The vision describes the direction future changes inspatial structures should take. Strategies identifyfeasible ways how to bring about these spatialchanges. Visions and strategies provide the frame-work for action proposals.

Vision, strategies and recommended actions respondto perceived problems and potentials. These areshaped by global trends in the social, political, eco-nomic and technological environment for develop-ment, many of them closely interrelated, namely:

� globalisation and economic growth,which increase interregional interdependenciesand transport volumes;

� advances in the information technologywhich accelerate the economic restructuring pro-cess and change the rules for interregional com-petitiveness;

� transition to a knowledge society which reduces the transport cost disadvantage ofperipheral regions, but increases the importance ofhigh education and information - communicationlevels for interregional competitiveness;

� mobile society with ever-increasing traffic volumes creating con-flicts between individual and society's strategiestowards quality of life – but also with the potentialto improve accessibility to services, education,culture;

� changing life-styles which tend to increase the demand for 'urban' landuses in valuable natural and cultural landscapes;they call for more differentiated spatial develop-ment, and require sharpened attention to maintainsocial cohesion;

� progress towards equality among sexes which demands new perspectives in all sectors(mainstreaming), time-flexible jobs at short dis-tance, and good public transport links from resi-dences;

� environmental degradation which calls for longer-term, cross-sector conceptstowards quality of life and for the efficient supra--regional management of disasters for the environ-ment;

� growing conflicts between short- and long-termobjectives which stress the concept of sustainability in plan-ning processes;

� changing relationship government – individuals orgroups of individuals calling for more participation of the affected andbottom-up approaches in planning processes,without losing track of integrative considerations.



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NNNN O RO RO RO R VVVV I S I O NI S I O NI S I O NI S I O N contributes to the opera-tionalisation of the European Spatial DevelopmentPerspective (ESDP). It is an advisory document whichis hoped to influence spatial planning in the NorthSea Region. It is expected that projects to be devel-oped under INTERREG III will include measureswhich conform to the vision and which seek to put itinto practice.

5. The Operational Pro-gramme of InterregIIC

The OP-NSR preparing for InterregIIC has definedpriority areas where local and regional authorities aswell as private institutions were called to proposetransnational co-operation projects.

Priority topics of the Operational Programme forInterreg II C in the North Sea Region*)

Priority 1: Urban and Regional Systems

Measure 1.1 The Development of the Relationship be-tween Urban and Rural Areas

Measure 1.2 The Development of Towns and CitiesMeasure 1.3 Urban Networks

Priority 2: Transport and Communications

Measure 2.1 Improvement of North Sea links

Measure 2.2 Promotion of multi-modal Transport Centres

Measure 2.3 Information and Communication Technolo-gies to Enhance More Regionally BalancedDevelopment

Priority 3: Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage

Measure 3.1 Promotion of Integrated Coastal Zone Man-agement

Measure 3.2 Protection of Valuable Natural Areas andWise Management of Natural Resources

Measure 3.3 Promotion of Cultural Tourism

*) approved by the European Commission in Dec. 1997

approved by the member countries in June 1997

The development of a spatial vision and strategy forthe NSR is one of the projects contained in its OP,binding other more specific projects together. Ideasfrom other ongoing InterregIIC projects have beenused when developing this vision document.

6. Process

This document has been prepared by a Vision Work-ing Group (VWG) of officials from national and localgovernments from each participating country. Den-mark took responsibility of lead partner The NorthSea Secretariat was closely involved. An externalconsultant has moderated the joint work and draftedthe reports. Further public discussion is launchednow to gather comments and new ideas. The con-sultation phase will last until mid of 2000. The VWGwelcomes suggestions from all interested parties.

THE VISION

1. What does the Visionstand for?

Spatial development policy seeks to achieve ‘spatialquality’. Visions specify the attributes of spatial qual-ity. They do not describe a final situation, but rather awanted change direction. They are not to be misinter-preted as dreams: They are the foundations on whichto build strategies and action planning.

2. Basic values reflectedin the Vision

Spatial Visions reflect basic values which govern theway how our societies are organised. The countriesaround the North Sea – and beyond -subscribe to aset of core values, namely:

• freedom (liberty) – democracy,• equality – justice – solidarity,• diversity /Identity,• welfare, and• nature and cultural landscapes.



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Their significance for spatial policies may be summa-rised as follows:

Basic values and spatial principles

Basic value Spatial development principles

Freedom, de-mocracy

Spatial planning processes based on:participation, subsidiarity, cooperation

Equality, justice,solidarity

Spatial balance, economic and social co-hesion, competitiveness, sustainability

Diversity Identity, subsidiarity, sustainability, com-petitiveness, cultural and architecturalheritage

Welfare Development orientation, market effi-ciency, initiative-responsive, flexibility,

Nature and cul-tural landscapes

Ecologically oriented spatial planning in-tegrating and safeguarding natural assets

3. Vision Statements

The proposed vision for the NSR has been expressedin ten statements, each of them describing a specificaspect of spatial quality.

They refer to the NSR as a whole, urban regions, andrural areas as is shown below.

3.1 The North Sea Regionas a whole

VISION Statement 1A NSR well integrated into the Development of theEuropean Space and into the World Economy

Main aims are:� High-quality access to knowledge allow all parts

of the NSR to join knowledge-based develop-ments.

� High-quality transport infrastructure and serviceslink the NSR with other regions.

� Good internal transport links within the NSR en-sure that all parts of the region share the benefitsfrom external integration.

� Co-operation across regions and countries en-hances the effectiveness of spatial policies.

� The NSR’s common interests are effectivelybrought forward vis-à-vis national and interna-tional bodies.

VISION Statement 2 A NSR with a balanced spatial structure

Main aims:� Reasonable accessibility for populations in all

parts of the NSR to differentiated employmentmarkets, education facilities, cultural activities,

and information isensured.

� Cross-sector co-ordination at alllevels helps tomake sector poli-cies instrumental(in addition tosector objectives)for spatial poli-cies.

� Large single ormulti-sector proj-ects are locatedand designed soas to supportwider spatial de-velopment objec-tives.



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VISION Statement 3 The NSR - a Model for Democratic andCo-operative Planning

Main aims:� Improved communication between the elected

and the electorate minimises barriers.� Improved tools for effective participation applied.� Transnational consultation on plans having

transnational impacts is practised.

VISION Statement 4The NSR, which takes care of its Natural Re-sources and Ecological Equilibrium and its Natu-ral Heritage

Main aims are:� Planning systems are directed towards

sustainability.� Management of ecological, natural and cultural

heritage is effective.� Natural resources are restored and developed in

a sustainable way.� Environment friendly forms of energy production

are more widely used.� Spatial policy tools contribute to the protection of

the North Sea ecology.

3.2 Urban Regions

VISION Statement 5Urban Regions Developing in an EnvironmentFriendly Way

Main aims are:� Disadvantages from vehicular traffic are reduced.� Land consumption for urban expansion is limited.� Land use pressure on valuable areas is mini-

mised, seeking other ways to satisfy new hous-ing, recreational and business area demand.

VISION Statement 6Urban Regions as Motors of Economic RegionalDevelopment

Main aims are:� Urban regions are strengthened by networking.

� Good accessibility to and within urban regionssupports regional economic development.

� Regional centres, including intermediate citiesand towns, make effective use of their potentialfor new economic activities.

VISION Statement 7Urban Regions which Promote Social Integration

Main aim is:� Integrated urban development is sensitive to so-

cial diversity and inclusion.

VISION Statement 8Urban Regions which are Attractive Places fortheir Populations and Visitors

Main aims are:� Urban structures respond increasingly to the

needs of quality of life.� Urban regeneration is widely practised.� Buildings and ensembles provide diversity and

have an attractive design.� Urban development management has been in-

troduced.

3.3 Rural Areas

VISION Statement 9Human Activities which are in Harmony with Na-ture

Main aims are:� Human activities are harmonised with strategies

for protection of the environment.� Environment friendly forms of tourism have been

widely introduced.

VISION Statement 10Rural Populations participate fully in Economicand Social Progress

Main aims are:

� Service functions in rural areas are supported.� Rural economies have been promoted.

� Information technology and innovation supportthe development of peripheral, non-agglomeration, regions.



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SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. The North Sea

About 300 km3 of fresh water are discharged annuallyinto the North Sea from rivers com-prising a catchment of appr. 850,000km². The size of this catchment areagoes far beyond the Interreg definitionof the NSR.

Main economic functions of the NorthSea include shipping, fishing, aquac-ulture, offshore mining, tourism andcheap disposal of wastes.

Demands to use the coastal areas fortourism, fishery, gas and oil explorationand exploitation, wind energy anddredging of estuaries to accommodateincreasing sizes of ships, have effectson the water quality, sediments andmarine habitats. The expected rise ofthe sea level is going to change con-ditions.

Rivers of the Wadden Sea catchmentarea discharge yearly 60 km3 of con-taminated water into the Wadden See.Over the last two decades the concen-tration of pollutants decreased. But stillsewage effluents are discharged fromcoastal towns into the North Sea inquantities.

The North Sea and its adjoining coastalregions contain some of the richestwildlife habitats in the world. ManyNorth Sea areas receive protection asconservation sites of national or inter-national importance.

2. Urban system

The NSR's urban system comprises numerous re-gional centres. Main national centres are outside theNSR. The NSR includes major international sea port

cities (Germany: Hamburg, Bremen/ Bremerhaven, Wil-helmshaven; UK: Felixstowe, Hull; Sweden: Göteborg).Other NSR ports rely on transhipment via intercontinen-tal ports outside the NSR in the same country (Eng-land: e.g. Southampton; Netherlands: Rotterdam, Am-

sterdam; Denmark: København) or in neighbouringcountries (Hamburg, Bremen/ Bremerhaven, Rotter-dam, Antwerp).

Map 3: Existing Urban Settlements



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3. Rural areas

Rural areas are of diverse nature. The following majortypes may be distinguished:

a) Areas which are important for wildlife, landscape,recreation, water supply.

Such areas exist in all parts of the NSR. They shallbe maintained in their natural quality. Infrastructurelinks to urban centres shall guarantee accessibilityfor recreation without harming their natural values.

b) Predominantly agricultural areas, close to urbanconcentrations (frequently intensive, including ad-vanced green-house, agricultural production).

These are found around agglomerations such asHamburg, Oslo, Edinburgh, in East Anglia andaround Leicestershire, and in the south-westernparts of the Dutch NSR (links to the Randstad).

They do not suffer from the traditional rural-urbanincome disparity. They serve for recreation ofurban populations. Key features are intensivecommuting and financial interdependencies withcities. They need integrated development, withurban and rural authorities working together.

c) Areas, also dominated by agriculture, (sometimesvery) distant from major urban centres beyondreasonable commuting distances, but with secon-dary cities having the potential to develop rural-urban entities similar to those of the precedingcategory.

Such areas exist in the vicinity of, for example,Groningen (NL), Emden, Flensburg, Osnabrück(D), Skövde (S), Stavanger (N), Esbjerg or Ålborg(DK), and Newcastle, Aberdeen or Dundee (UK).

They need differentiated approaches dependingon local potentials. Objectives are to strengthenurban centres by new types of economic activitiesin order to provide their populations with the possi-bility to maintain residence instead of migrating tomajor urban centres elsewhere.

d) Sparsely populated areas dominated by, oftenextensive, agriculture and/ or forestry, with smallerurban centres, far from major towns.

Major parts of Norwegian, Swedish and ScottishNSR areas fall into this category. In other parts ofthe NSR, rural areas frequently are somewherebetween categories c) and d)- Germany: north-western parts of Lower Saxony and northernSchleswig-Holstein (D); Denmark: northern andnorth-western parts of Jutland.

They used to have insufficient employment potentialto absorb populations not sustained by agriculturalactivities on the retreat or, at least, not expanding.

They require measures to sustain a reasonable level ofpublic and private services supplies, and adequate in-frastructure links to major urban centres. The economicpotentials of these areas are limited, but may be devel-oped in such fields as ecological farming and ruraltourism.

A worrying trend for rural areas is the concentration ofservices in larger cities, withdrawing functions andservices from smaller towns.

Negative trends affect particularly rural areas with a de-cline of job opportunities in agriculture (sometimes inspite of growing production). This is observed in somecoastal rural zones in the U.K., at both sides of theGerman-Dutch border, and in the triangle Hamburg –Bremen - Hannover (Germany). Rationalisation in for-estry has led to the same effects in the Swedish areasof Dalsland and Värmland.

4. Nature areas, culturalheritage and tourism

Large unspoilt natural areas exist in Scotland, Norwayand Sweden. The remainder of the NSR is pre-dominantly a cultural landscape shaped by humanneeds, including different old farming landscapes, es-pecially in Scotland and in the Netherlands.

Many areas in the North Sea Region are importantstepping stones for bird migration, especially along theentire coastline and in the coastal wetlands of theNetherlands and Germany as well as the inland wet-lands of Sweden.

The North Sea Region has a rich and colourful culturalheritage important for the development of tourism. Thecities of Edinburgh (Scotland), Lübeck (D), Bergen andRøros (N) as well as the rock carvings of Tannum (S)are classified as world heritage sites.

Most coastal areas of the Netherlands, Germany, Den-mark, Sweden and the southern part of Norway, as wellas interior lands in the UK, Sweden and Norway are ar-eas with high concentration of tourist facilities. Tourismhas become an important sector for income generation.

Most visitors come by car. Some islands on the Ger-man coast have prohibited the use of private cars withpositive marketing impact.



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Coastal defence works are sometimes competingwith tourism developments. The protection of sanddune areas requires the installation of specific footpaths, reducing the attraction to walk through the

dunes. Increased sewage and solid waste producedby tourists requires heavy treatment investments.

5. Transport Infrastruc-ture

Most of the EU’s largest ports at the North Sea coastsand rivers are not within the NSR. Universal portswithin the NSR include Hamburg, Bremen/ Bremer-haven, Felixstowe, Tees and Hartlepool, Tyne, Göte-borg and Oslo. They function as transhipment points

between land and maritime transport. Specialised portssuch as Wilhelmshaven (Germany) or Bergen (Norway)serve as terminals for bulk import or export, othersmaller ports serve as feeder ports and for intra-North

Sea shipments. Road-rail and sea vessel –road/ rail/ inland vessel intermodality arethe most common types of intermodaltransport.

Main international airports in the NSR areOslo and Hamburg. Other major nationalhubs connecting regional airports with theinternational air travel network are outsidethe NSR. But many medium-sized airportsoperate international flights.

In peripheral NSR regions in Norway orScotland small regional airports play an im-portant role for the accessibility of the re-gions.

In spite of apparent congested corridors,among the TEN projects identified by theEU Commission as 'priority projects' onlyfew run through NSR area. More attentionmust be paid to the improvement of porthinterland links.

6. Energy

The NSR possesses major energy produc-tion resources, both renewable and non-renewable. Mineral oil and gas fields,mostly off-shore, with pipeline and terminalinfrastructures have been developed par-ticularly in UK, Norwegian and Dutch partsof the North Sea.

Wind power generation is common incoastal areas of the Netherlands, Germanyand Denmark. Norway has an abundance

of hydro-energy, leaving surplus for export.

Pipelines generate little or no benefit to regions tran-sited by them. The Interreg II C project "Benefits ofPipelines" attempts to identify possibilities to reversethis situation.

Bio-energy is used in many parts of the NSR. The Inter-reg II C project “North Sea Bioenergy Network” intendsto develop new method of integrated resource planningat the local level.

Map 4: Nature Potential Areas, World Heritage Sites Accordingto UNESCO, and Main Tourism Areas



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Map 5: Major Nodes and transportation networks



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STRATEGIESThe report discusses in detail possible strategies foreach aim defined under the visions.

1. Strategies for the NSRas a whole

VISION STATEMENT 1A NSR well integrated into the Development of theEuropean Space and into the World Economy

1.1 High-quality access to knowledge allows allparts of the NSR to join knowledge-baseddevelopments

Economic potentials of improved access to knowl-edge shall be given more attention. They are not lim-ited to peripheral regions, but may also strengthensecondary cities in their competition with major cities.

Strategies

♦ Identify economic potentials resulting from IT fordifferent types of cities and regions

♦ Develop IT links that favour peripheral areas,technically as well as financially

♦ Develop further existing co-operation networks,inter-city, cross-border and transnational

♦ Enhance "media competence" in disadvantagedas well as in privileged regions.

1.2 High-quality transport infrastructure andservices link the NSR with other regions

More active promotion of short-sea shipping (SSS) isrequired. Various projects are already dealing withSSS, but need for a broader approach. The Interregprogramme is particularly suitable to this, in closeconsultation with existing programmes from DGVI.

Strategies

♦ Promote an improved integration of NSR infra-structure into the TEN network.

♦ Port regions co-operate to take a leading role asintermodal junctions in the promotion of short-sea shipping, involving actors responsible forport hinterland infrastructure, shipping compa-nies, shippers and forwarders.

♦ Port regions develop their lobbying power to-wards SSS promotion, including strong involve-ment in pertinent EU programmes.

1.3 Good internal transport links in the NSRensure that all parts of the region share thebenefits from external integration

Two main issues should be promoted: linking axes(a) between economically powerful, though not ofEuropean agglomeration status, NSR regions, and (b)between peripheral regions and

Strategies:

♦ Identify, with regions' participation, priorities todevelop efficient regional transport systems, andpromote identified priority axes vis-à-vis nationalgovernments and EU bodies.

♦ Improve transport links of peripheral regions in-cluding islands, taking into account air and ferrytransport and the further development of corre-sponding infrastructure facilities.

1.4 Co-operation across regions and countriesenhances the effectiveness of spatial poli-cies

Co-operation concerns joint cross-border and inter-regional urban development. First experience fromprojects of the InterregIIC programme.

Strategies

The NSR subscribes to the strategies (policy options)identified in ESDP:

♦ Promote integrated spatial development strate-gies for city clusters within the framework oftransnational and cross-border co-operation, in-cluding corresponding rural areas and their smallcities and towns.

♦ Promote co-operation at regional, cross-borderand transnational level of towns and cities in theNSR.



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1.5 The NSR’s common interests are effectivelybrought forward vis-à-vis national and in-ternational bodies

The lobbying for common interests of the NSR is alegitimate aspiration. It requires co-operation amongdifferent existing transnational initiatives.

Strategies

♦ Make more systematic use of joint cross-North-Sea initiatives and programmes (e.g. protectionof the Wadden Sea, development of North Seaenergy or fishery resources, coastal zone protec-tion).

♦ Continue with the identification of common inter-est.

♦ Promote experience exchange between the dif-ferent Interreg regions on issues of joint interest.

VISION STATEMENT 2A NSR with a balanced spatial structure

2.1. Reasonable accessibility for populations todifferentiated employment markets, educa-tion facilities, cultural activities, and infor-mation is ensured

An unbiased evaluation is required as regards suc-cess potentials for, and the desirability of, policies tomaintain present settlement structures in peripheralareas against current trends, the role local policiescan play, required cross-sector national support. Pe-ripheral regions are called to discuss different optionsfor their future, instead of remaining the object ofsometimes unclear national and transnational spatialpolicies.

Strategies

♦ Differentiate support measures to peripheral re-gions depending on their individual potentials;

♦ Seek agreement with individual peripheral re-gions on specific, instead of uniform, develop-ment objectives;

♦ Set up a priority programme for improved acces-sibility to and from peripheral regions, based onsuch agreements.

2.2. Cross-sector co-ordination at all levelshelps to make sector policies instrumental(in addition to sector objectives)

Regions are called to identify perceived negative im-pacts from insufficient co-ordination.

Strategies

♦ Involve regions in the clarification of spatial im-pacts of EU and national sector policies and inrecommendations for their early consideration

♦ Develop improved inter-sector co-ordination pro-cedures across borders (not limited to the imme-diate border zones, e.g. of Euroregions) at re-gional and local levels.

2.3. Large single or multi-sector projects arelocated and designed so as to supportwider spatial development objectives

Operational tools for quick first assessment of largeprojects’ spatial impacts are required to promote thereceptiveness of sector planners for this particulartool. More systematic execution and cross-projectevaluation of territorial impact studies shall be sup-ported. International exchange of experience may fa-cilitate this ambition.

Strategies

♦ Identify priority projects where the combination ofdifferent sector measures is expected to promoteregional development

♦ Promote territorial impact assessment (TIA) asan instrument for spatial assessment of largeprojects (particularly: in the transport and energysector, but also for major business, residential orretail districts).

♦ Create standardised 'quick-assessment' tools forTIA.

♦ Document and analyse the experience with TIA.

VISION STATEMENT 3The NSR as a Model for Democratic andco-operative Planning

3.1 Improved communication between theelected and the electorate minimises barri-ers

New IT instruments provide an opportunity to reducethe information imbalance preventing from effectiveparticipation. There is still little experience how such



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instruments can be effectively used and will reach thedifferent target groups.

Strategies

♦ Experiment with the use of IT instruments to im-prove information and involvement of the elec-torate and of specific target groups.

♦ Promote the international exchange of experi-ence on the use of such tools.

3.2 Improved tools for effective participationare applied

Effective ways for participation need to be perma-nently developed. Practical approaches in NSRcountries at regional and local levels provide a valu-able source of mutual learning. Transnational ex-change of experience should be further promoted.

Strategies

♦ Promote the exchange of experience on differentapproaches to achieve effective participation ofdifferent population groups.

♦ Promote the identification of ways how to provideadequate technical assistance to those to par-ticipate.

♦ Promote bottom-up approaches without neglect-ing the needs for a comprehensive overview (top-down responsibility for adequate consideration ofoverall interests).

♦ Develop tools to involve specific populationgroups in planning processes.

3.3 Transnational consultation on plans is en-hanced

Spatial development measures or large projects mayhave impacts across national borders. The conse-quences in the neighbouring country need to betaken into account.

Strategies

♦ Establish contacts between relevant planningdepartments among North Sea countries.

VISION STATEMENT 4The NSR which takes care of its Natural Re-sources and Ecological Equilibrium and its Cul-tural Heritage

4.1 Planning systems are directed towardssustainable development

There is a need for more integrated planning ap-proaches to find sustainable development paths:

• coastal zone management,• planning with water,• controlled protection and use of valuable natural

and cultural heritage landscapes,• promotion of sustainable mobility.

Strategies

♦ Promote integrated strategies.

♦ Integrate bio-diversity considerations into sectorpolicies.

♦ Strengthen the early consideration of social, en-vironmental impacts of major plans.

4.2 Management of ecological, natural and cul-tural heritage in non-officially protected ar-eas is effective

Management concepts for nature and cultural heri-tage areas not having nature protection status requirespecific approaches for which only scattered knowl-edge exists. New co-operation projects in this fieldwould be particularly beneficial. No InterregIIC-NSRproject focuses on this issue.

Strategies

♦ Make greater use of economic instruments torecognise the ecological significance of protectedand environmentally sensitive areas.

♦ Develop and implement tools for managementand development of nature and cultural heritage.

♦ Develop strategies at regional and transnationallevels for risk management especially in disaster-prone areas.

♦ Improve co-ordination of development measureswhich have an impact on landscapes.

4.3 Natural resources have been restored andare developed in sustainable ways

Spatial planning is called to contribute to the devel-opment of coherent nature area networks. Corre-



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sponding planning criteria and inventory informationneed to be further developed.

Strategies

♦ Continue development of European ecologicalnetworks proposed by Natura 2000.

♦ Contribute spatial planning criteria for NSR-wideinventory of nature areas.

♦ Extend current inventory and planning ap-proaches to include Norwegian territory.

♦ Identify restoration needs for valuable land-scapes.

♦ Promote transnational and interregional co-operation for the application of integrated strate-gies for the management of water resources.

♦ Preserve and restore wetlands endangered byexcessive water extraction.

♦ Strengthen regional responsibility in water re-source management.

4.4 Environment friendly forms of energy pro-duction are widely used

Spatial policy implications of growing concentrationsof wind farms, including off-shore locations are notnegligible. Experience with planning and evaluationapproaches exists in different parts of the NSR andshould be shared.

Strategies

♦ Use the potential for renewable energy in urbanand rural areas, taking into account local and re-gional conditions.

♦ Potential coastal areas increasingly consideredfor wind farms.

4.5 Spatial policy tools contribute to the pro-tection of the North Sea ecology

The North Sea ecology is affected by human activitiesnot only in the sea, but also on land. Spatial policiesneed a transnationally agreed concept how to con-tribute to the protection of the North Sea.

Strategies

♦ Make transparent impacts of different spatialpolicies on maritime ecosystems and identify ap-propriate strategies.

♦ Agree on spatial policy principles for protection ofthe North Sea ecology.

2. Strategies for UrbanRegions

VISION STATEMENT 5Urban Regions Developing in a Sustainable Way

5.1 Disadvantages caused by vehicular trafficis limited

Broad knowledge with regard to sustainable urbandevelopment has already been gained through vari-ous research and co-operation projects. There seemsto be a severe gap to

• Identify and deal with trade-offs between economicand environmental impacts.

• Identify the contribution spatial policies can make tostrategies now mainly directed by the transportsector itself.

• Put into practise different approaches to test theirimpacts.

Strategies

♦ Enhance co-ordination of spatial developmentpolicies and land use planning with transport andtelecommunications planning.

♦ Promote mixed land use, within environmentallimits.

♦ Take care that the increasing use of city-citycomplementarities will not further increase theamount of vehicular traffic.

♦ Enhance the use of environment friendly modes.

♦ Use IT to reduce commuting.

♦ Promote renewable energy.

5.2 Land consumption for urban expansion islimited

5.3 Land use pressure on valuable areas isminimised, seeking other ways to satisfynew housing, recreational and businessarea demand

In view of the huge potential for internal urban expan-sion, this should receive strong support to concreteprojects, accompanied by systematic monitoring.



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Strategies

♦ Promote the recycling and/ or restructuring ofunderused or derelict urban sites and areas.

♦ Keep a clear line between urban and rural areasto avoid urban sprawl.

♦ Prepare urban development areas in sufficientvolume at locations with less sensitive naturalenvironments.

♦ Integrate the countryside surrounding large citiesin spatial development strategies for urban re-gions.

♦ Develop major seaside leisure facilities prefera-bly within towns and cities, rather than outside.

VVVVISION ISION ISION ISION SSSSTATEMENT TATEMENT TATEMENT TATEMENT 6666Urban Regions as Motors of Economic Re-gional Development

6.1 Urban networking contributes to thestrengthening of urban regions

A wide range of experience on inter-city cooperationnetworks already exists. There is a need to review thebenefits from urban networking, as seen by its part-ners.

Strategies

♦ Promote the assessment and discussion of prac-tical experience made with city networks.

♦ Adapt support programmes to the results of suchassessment

6.2 Good accessibility to and within urban re-gions supports regional economic devel-opment

This is an important issue for Interreg when cities inborder regions need to be well accessible acrossborder to fulfil their functions. The delimitation ofEuro-regions may not always be large enough to re-flect such aspects.

Strategies

♦ Enhance accessibility within city regions throughlocation policy and land use planning.

♦ Further improve urban transport systems to pro-vide good access for urban as well as ruralpopulations to services, economic opportunities,

culture and education, nature and recreationalfacilities.

♦ Rely, where feasible for efficient goods transporton rail and water.

♦ Regional air links across the sea provide oppor-tunities for easy travelling between non-metropolitan cities.

6.3 Regional centres, including intermediatecities and towns, make effective use oftheir potential for new economic activities

The issue of economic development of urban regionshas not received major attention through InterregIICprojects, in contrast to rural urban centres. Ap-proaches for cities to promote new economic activi-ties through co-operation need to be promoted.

Strategies

♦ Develop new opportunities for urban regionsbased on their cultural and architectural identity,and endogenous potentials.

♦ Promote economic diversification in cities whichare too dependent on a single branch of eco-nomic activity.

♦ Enhance rural-urban integration.

♦ Promote the development of knowledge centres

♦ Make more use of synergy effects between infra-structure, economic and spatial measures.

♦ Support urban regions with coastal ports whichcan be developed into logistical services centres.

♦ Expand the strategic role of “gateway cities”.

VISION STATEMENT 7Urban Regions which Promote Social Integration

7.1 Integrated urban development is sensitiveto social diversity and inclusion

Promoting social integration and preventing exclusionis a pressing issue. Transnational exchange of expe-rience is regarded promising.

Strategies

The EU initiative gives a good description of strate-gies to be pursued:

♦ Improve employability, in particular for the long-term unemployed, young drop-outs, lone parents,ethnic or racial minorities.



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♦ Ensure adequate, accessible and reasonablypriced basic services in relation to employment,education and training (incl. 'second-chance'schools), health, energy, transport and commu-nications, policing and justice.

♦ Generate employment especially through busi-ness start-ups.

♦ Improve the physical environment in urban areasand neighbourhoods in difficulty (urban regen-eration).

♦ Prevent urban crime.

♦ Strengthen local capacities to respond to theneeds of communities in deprived urban areas.

♦ Counteract spatial segregation trends in urbanneighbourhoods.

♦ Provide housing locations with good accessibilityto jobs and services.

♦ Offer adequate public transport for the lessermobile and non-car-owner population.

VISION STATEMENT 8Urban Regions which are attractive Places fortheir Populations and Visitors

8.1 Urban structures respond to the needs ofquality of life

Transnational co-operation at this level is difficult.Specific actions have to correspond to the particularlocal situation. An exchange of different approachesamong cities with similar problems and the evaluationof the transferability can be valuable.

Strategies

♦ Promote urban ecology and bio-diversity includ-ing green areas/ structures in cities.

♦ Increase awareness for the contribution of urbanand spatial development policy to the culturalheritage for future generations.

♦ Promote public transport.

♦ Design environment to help reduce crime and sopeople feel safe.

♦ Anticipate more extreme climate circumstancesin location decisions.

8.2 Urban regeneration is widely practised

This issue is closely linked to others already dis-cussed, and should be given more weight in futureInterreg. A large variety of best practice examples isalready available. The evaluation of project resultswould help to identify the effectiveness of strategies.

Strategies

♦ Promote and revitalise the cultural and architec-tural identity.

♦ Develop new opportunities for entertainment,recreation and socialising.

♦ Apply differentiated policies towards differenttypes of urban areas.

8.3 Buildings and ensembles provide diversityand have an attractive design

Again, transnational co-operation in this field is notwidely practised. Although it is not a priority issues forco-operation among the North Sea countries, it is im-portant for attractiveness and distinctness of towns.

Strategies

♦ Maintain and promote a creative redesign of ur-ban ensembles worthy of protection.

♦ Promote contemporary buildings with high ar-chitectural quality.

♦ Support the diversity of urban structures and lo-cational choices corresponding to the diversity ofdemand (differentiated instead of uniform devel-opment).

8.4 Urban development management has beenintroduced

Good town management will gain importance. Trans-national co-operation shall concentrate at exchangeof experience.

Strategies

♦ Promote the exchange of experience on the in-struments for city management



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3. Strategies for RuralAreas

VISION STATEMENT 9Human Activities in rural areas which are in har-mony with nature

9.1 Human activities are harmonised withstrategies for protection of the environment

This vision comprises a broad spectrum of aspectslargely addressed by the EU's LEADER programme,leaving little need for additional action.

Strategies

♦ Secure sustainable agriculture through the appli-cation of environmental measures and diversifi-cation of land utilisation.

♦ Protect soils as the basis of life for human be-ings, fauna and flora, through the reduction oferosion, soil destruction and overuse of openspaces.

♦ Preserve and develop cultural landscapes withspecial historical, aesthetic and ecological impor-tance.

♦ Enhance the value of cultural landscapes in theframework of integrated spatial developmentstrategies.

♦ Improve co-ordination of development measureswhich have an impact on landscapes.

♦ Restore landscapes which have suffered throughhuman intervention, including recultivationmeasures.

♦ Promote sustainable coastal fisheries

9.2 Environment friendly forms of tourism havebeen widely introduced

Various InterregIIC projects for the NSR deal withsustainable tourism development. This underlines theimportance of this issue. Current projects tend toconcentrate at specific forms of tourism, such as cul-tural tourism. Sometimes, too high expectations seemto be put to its employment generation potential.

A major spatial policy challenge is how to deal withordinary 'mass' tourism, particularly in seaside loca-tions, including the rehabilitation or restructuring of

derelict old tourist resorts. This is not addressed byany InterregIIC project.

Strategies

♦ Exploit the development potential of environ-mentally friendly tourism.

♦ Harmonise tourism development with coastalzone protection.

♦ Protect and use cultural heritage.

♦ Seek ways to restructure derelict tourist resortstowards changed tourist preferences.

VISION STATEMENT 10Rural Populations which participate fully in Eco-nomic and Social Progress

10.1 Service functions in rural areas are sup-ported

Many approaches have been initiated to strengthenservices supply in rural areas, some of which quitepromising. Close co-ordination with similar projectsunder the LEADER programme would be useful. Re-sults should be awaited before launching new proj-ects in this field, but an extension of participants toinvolve other NSR countries should be welcomed.

Strategies

♦ Maintain a basic supply of services and publictransport in small and medium-sized towns in ru-ral areas, particularly those in decline.

♦ Strengthen small and medium-sized towns in ru-ral areas as focal points for regional developmentand promotion of their networking.

♦ Promote non-traditional public transport insparsely populated regions (car pools, train taxi);Improve public transport and provide a minimumlevel of service in small and medium-sizedtowns.

♦ Promote changed rural-urban relationship whichhelp to maintain local identity.

10.2 Rural economies have been promoted

Local businesses and industries need an efficientpromotion. Education and training in rural areas canhelp to generate jobs outside the traditional ruralsectors. Where this is not feasible for single regions,interregional co-operation can help.



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Strategies

♦ Promote diversified development strategies, sen-sitive to the indigenous potentials in the rural ar-eas.

♦ Support rural areas in education, training and inthe creation of non-agricultural jobs.

♦ Promote partnership-based co-operation amongsmall and medium-sized towns at national andtransnational levels through joint projects andexchange of experience.

♦ Promote co-operation between towns and coun-tryside aiming at strengthening functional re-gions.

♦ Support co-operation and information exchangebetween rural areas.

♦ Support coastal fisheries as economic bases forcoastal communities

♦ Increase the importance of locally produced food

♦ Accentuate the role of rural areas as food pro-vider

10.3 Information technology and innovationsupport the development of peripheral re-gions

The strengthening of rural economies is certainly oneof the more difficult challenges for spatial policies and

requires continued support through research, pilotprojects and exchange of experience. Some practicaland promising experience already exists and needsto be widely spread.

Strategies

♦ Develop IT links so as to avoid discrimination ofperipheral areas: Improve the access to and useof the telecommunication facilities and the designof tariffs in accordance with the provision of “uni-versal services” in sparsely populated areas.

♦ Enhance "media competence" in disadvantagedregions.

♦ Develop and use knowledge centres -science,education - for regional development.

♦ Support the establishment of innovation centresas well as co-operation between higher educa-tion and applied R&D bodies and the privatesector.

♦ Integrate knowledge-relevant policies, such asthe promotion of innovation, education, voca-tional training and further training, research andtechnology development, into spatial develop-ment policies.

♦ Develop packages of measures which stimulatesupply and demand for improving regional ac-cess and the use of information and communica-tion technologies.

Visions into ActionsNNNN O RO RO RO R VVVV I S I O NI S I O NI S I O NI S I O N is an advisory documentwhich, it is hoped, will influence spatial planning inthe NSR. It is expected that projects to be developedunder INTERREG III will include measures whichconform to the vision and which seek to put it intopractice.

Based on the identification of key themes for sustain-able development, a number of issues for which co-operation projects are suggested, including a con-tinuation of projects within the current Interreg IICprogramme.

1. Involvement of Stake-holders

The Vision addresses itself towards a range ofstakeholders important for its implementation:

• Regional and local authorities• NSR Interreg bodies• Ongoing Interreg IIC NSR projects• Governmental and non-governmental national

sector institutions• National spatial planning institutions



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• Transnational spatial planning institutions (e.g.DGXVI)

• Research institutions• Other organisations

It is intended to discuss the vision document widely,with a view to specifying problem/ potential state-ments, to refine proposed strategies, and to suggestfurther concrete action.

2. Key Themes

Key themes have been identified for which specificproject proposals can be developed. Two types of keythemes are distinguished:

Integrated planning and development themes: Forthe purpose of easier discussion, the report is gener-ally arranged according to 10 Vision Statements re-lated to the NSR as a whole, or primarily to urban re-spectively rural regions.

But the analysis of NSR spatial structures, trends andfuture challenges, and the discussion on potentialstrategies have also demonstrated the need for moreintegrated planning approaches, covering different vi-sion statements and area types simultaneously.

Therefore, the VWG has identified key themes formore integrated planning approaches. These put the‘departmentalised’ strategies presented before into abroader context, leading to a comprehensive sustain-able development approach. It should be stressedthat this list is not exhaustive:

� Integrated town-hinterland and inter-city develop-ment,

� Controlled protection and use of valuable naturaland cultural heritage landscapes,

� Development of peripheral regions,

� Strengthening of rural urban centres,

� Promotion of sustainable mobility,

� Regional transport infrastructure developmentembedded into regional development promotion.

� Promotion of short-sea shipping,

� Planning with water,

� Integrated coastal zone management and plan-ning.

Specific themes: In addition to, and as a furtherspecification of, these integrated themes, a number ofissues are proposed as priorities for further action:

Key themes for the NSR as a whole• Improve transport links to transnational networks• Secure access to knowledge• Identify joint interest of NSR regions• Prepare differentiated development approaches

for peripheral regions,• Promote participation in public planning proc-

esses, with special commitment to the youth,• Use new media as a tool to improve information

and communication flows in public planning de-bates,

• Differentiated development of peripheral regions.

Key themes for urban regions in the NSR• Support a polycentric development within the

NSR,• Port town development supporting short-sea

shipping,• Sustainable waste management and promotion

of ecological cycles,• Spatial growth containment,• Urban regeneration,• Promotion of social integration of minorities,• Enhance urban attractiveness in urban structures

and design,• Promote cultural heritage.

Key themes for rural areas in the NSR• Secure economic dynamics of rural areas so as

not to force people to migrate to major urbancentres,

• Strengthening of, and co-operation among, ruralurban centres,

• Integration of ERDF measures with local eco-nomic promotion,

• Improving knowledge on the spatial impacts fromEU programmes in rural areas,

• Use of IT to offset location disadvantages,• Tourism promotion,• Balance nature protection with economic devel-

opment with regard to valuable natural and cul-tural heritage areas,

• Promote renewable energy production.

3. Visions into Projects

Visions become real through projects. A number ofpromising project approaches have been initiated



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within the framework of InterregIIC, some of whichoffer good potential for an extended continuationwithin a coming Interreg IIIB programme.

A wide range of possible projects have been identi-fied by the VWG, classified into projects aiming atjoint action, and those promoting the exchange of ex-perience on good practise. It is hoped that theseproject ideas will be specified, new ones and moreconcrete projects be suggested during the consulta-tion process with the stakeholders.

These projects shall as far as possible be developedin line with the above mentioned integrated planningthemes.

To facilitate the discussion on the vision, project pro-posals are again grouped according to the 10 visionspresented in chapter II, and classified into two types:projects to identify and to prepare joint action; andexchange of experience on good practice.

3.1 The North Sea Region as aWhole

VISION Statement 1A NSR well integrated into the Development of theEuropean Space and into the World Economy

This Vision subscribes particularly to the integratedplanning themes:

• regional transport infrastructure developmentembedded into regional development promotion”

• promotion of sustainable mobility”.

Projects should be initiated to foster the linking of allparts of the North Sea Region internally and exter-nally. Special attention is paid to inland waterways,intermodality and rail traffic.

Access to knowledge has become an important issuefor a comprehensive integration of the NSR into theEuropean space.

Vision 1: Project Examples

Projects preparing for joint action

• Identify priorities to link NSR transport networks to na-tional/ transnational networks, incl. links to ports

• Identify long-term concepts for the management oflinks and peripheral networks with a view at makingmost rational use of capacities before expanding these

• Identify potentials for enhancing inland waterwaytransport through better integration into spatial devel-opment measures

Vision 1: Project Examples

• Case studies for integrated train corridor management

• Development of car train facilities in tourist regions

• Promotion of inland waterway transport throughstrengthened networking among inland waterway ports

• Develop efficient and compatible multi-modal systems

• Set up a transnational higher education facility in theNSR for spatial planning (e.g. a three-month pro-gramme for students of all six countries based in oneinstitution)

• NorVision PLUS: Dialogue of the VWG with futurolo-gist institutions

• Encourage networking of SMEs to adapt to globalisa-tion and enhance self understanding as partners in theNSR

Projects for the exchange of good practice

• Economically viable ways to promote sustainable ru-ral-urban and rural-rural mobility (car pools, air links,low-cost public passenger transport, public-privatepartnership)

• Methods for improved cross-sector coordination forregional development

VISION Statement 2A NSR with a balanced spatial structure

This vision calls for integrated approaches regardingcoastal zone management in order to balance settle-ment and protection needs. It seeks to promote ruralurban centres (dealt with under the spatial category“rural areas”), stresses the importance to strengthenthe polycentric settlement structure and to maintain afunctional diversity of service centres.

Vision 2: Project examples


• Develop methods and approaches of integrated coastalzone management which integrate regional economicdevelopment and planning.

• Identify priorities for regional transport links to bindNSR development poles together and to improve linksfrom peripheral to urbanised regions

• Identify, from NSR regions’ point of view, regional de-velopment impacts from EU Structural Funds and otherprogrammes, and needs for their refinement

• Co-ordinate the preparation of regional plans in trans-national regions (beyond border regions), including theupgrading of regional transport links (e.g. Amsterdam –Groningen – Emden)

• Set up plans for development of knowledge centres insmaller cities and towns of the NSR based on city net-works



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• Co-operation of universities to find solution to specificNSR problems

• Improve access to natural and cultural sites throughcommon routes

• Seek ways to make the sustainable development con-cept operational, using existing (e.g. Strategic Envi-ronment Assessment) and new methods

Projects for the exchange of experience

• Economically viable ways to promote sustainable rural-urban and rural-rural mobility (car pools, air links, low-cost public passenger transport)

• Methods for improved cross-sector coordination for re-gional development

VISION Statement 3The NSR - a Model for Democratic andCo-operative Planning

The projects proposed under this vision seek to en-hance public involvement in planning processes. Newparticipation processes are envisaged with a specialcommitment to the youth.

New media shall be used as a tool to improve infor-mation and communication flows. Besides consulta-tion of the people on local and regional issues, proj-ects are proposed, which aim at the common identityfor the NSR and spread information on transnationalissues.



• Establishment of population information centres usingnew media to inform people what is going on in localplanning procedures

• Common exhibitions on planning experience, use ofweb-sites

• Promote new role of museums as places of informationon the NSR and public debate

• Innovative ways of citizen participation

• Compare existing systems for democratic and co-operative planning and identify best practice ideas(formal planning processes and innovative ideas)

• Identify best practice on formal planning procedureswith new ideas of citizen participation with special re-gard to youth (incl. Youth councils)

• Establishing transparency in public administrationthrough extended use of IT.


• Assess potentials to link up citizens to the public ad-ministration through personal computers, creating easyaccess to legally accessible files in connection to note-book for enhancing public debate.

• Broadcasting from City Hall and County Council meet-ings via TV.

• Establish “Citizens’ Days” prior to council meetings toenhance communication between elected and theelectorates.

• Establish common procedures for cross-border andtransnational public consultation and participation be-fore and during the planning procedure.


• Ways for ensuring participative planning and imple-mentation at local and regional levels

• Methodologies for supporting participative planning andimplementation with technical assistance

• Possibilities for the use of IT as an instrument to facili-tate the dialogue policy-makers – planners – popula-tion/ business

VISION Statement 4The NSR, which takes care of its Natural Re-sources and Ecological Equilibrium and its Natu-ral Heritage

The approaches “planning with water”, “coastal zonemanagement” and “sustainable mobility” are espe-cially important for the North Sea Region. Further ac-tivities are proposed concerning natural and culturalheritage, and sustainable tourism. The issue of re-newable energy production is another field, whereprojects are to be initiated.



• Concepts to promote sustainable interregional mobilityin of low-density, non-agglomeration regions

• Water catchment area management, including preven-tive flood protection, erosion prevention, ground andsurface water quality protection, integrated with re-gional and urban development on regional, national andtransnational level

• Identify long term possibilities for networks of natureand cultural landscape protection areas

• Identify the implications of spatial policies on the ecol-ogy of the North Sea and suggest improvements

• Designation and administrative procedures of protectedareas on the seabed

• Integration of nature protection aspects into regionaldevelopment plans



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• Demonstration project for new energy production

• Demonstration projects to improve energy efficiency ofexisting housing areas by external changes such astree and shrub planting, fences/walls, earth mounding.

• Networks of cultural sites

• Develop management concepts for cultural heritage

• Develop criteria for evaluation of cultural heritageProjects for the exchange of experience

• Best practice in sustainable management of rain waterrun-off from buildings and car parks

• Methodology and results of EIA and TIA (Territorial im-pact assessment) studies

• Standardised indicators and methods for EIA and spa-tial impact assessment

• Inter-municipal land management (green area pools)• Urban planning with water• Management concepts for valuable, but not protected

nature areas and cultural landscapes• Practise of sustainable tourism and its links to eco-

nomic development

• Potentials for wave energy development

3.2 Urban Regions

VISION Statement 5Urban Regions Developing in an EnvironmentFriendly Way

This Vision relates to a number of integrated strate-gies mentioned above regarding the North Sea Re-gion as a whole. Especially relevant is sustainabletransport.

The approach of integrated town-hinterland and inter-city development is applicable for urban areas. Actionis suggested to consider the total flow of matter in theurban system and to direct processes toward ecologi-cal cycles. Another important issue for proposedprojects is the limitation of land use.



• Joint efforts of cities in border areas for water andwaste management

• Compact cities and dealing with “vacant” building sites/brownfield areas


• Pilot projects for renewable energy development, incl.solar, wind, bio-energy and hydropower

• Experience with recycling systems in urban regions

• Experience with developing Eco-cycling

• Establish closer circles of agricultural production andconsumption

• Assess the possibilities of developing light rail andother transport solutions for public transport


• Promotion of sustainable mobility in urban regionsthrough spatial policy instruments

• Promotion of renewable energy production and use inurban regions

• Ways to promote inward urban growth• Examples how to change attitudes and stimulate peo-

ple to use public transport• Implementation exchange experience with waste recy-

cling and waste management.

VISION Statement 6Urban Regions as Motors of Economic RegionalDevelopment

Urban regions as motors for regional developmentshall make use of their inherent potentials to fostereconomic activities. Among such potentials not sat-isfactorily developed in the NSR is short sea shipping.The efficient use of infrastructure and functional com-plementarities are a further area for the developmentof project ideas.



• Promote short-sea shipping development by joint ef-forts of port cities, including hinterland infrastructureand corresponding development of port regions

• Identify measures to make optimal use from major newtransport links for regional development

• Inter-city co-operation to make economical use of com-plementarities among cities across national borders

Projects for the exchange of experience• Integrated town–hinterland development• “Creative Town” towards employment and innovation• City networks – ways to make economical use of com-

plementarities among cities, the cities' perception• Joint marketing of regional economic potentials• Successful promotion of economic development, which

links education, industry, spatial planning and capitalprovision.

• Urban benchmarking



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VISION Statement 7Urban Regions which Promote Social Integration

When promoting social integration within cities, at-tention shall be paid to ethnic minorities. Urban re-generation needs to go hand in hand with social inte-gration.



• Develop community development centres in urbanproblem areas

• Promote cross-sector approaches for urban regenera-tion/ social integration

• Create planning principles for mixed-generation andmixed-use

• Develop spatial schemes for mixed ownership in resi-dential areas.

• Identify the relationship of health indicators and socialclass indicators in different regions

• Develop schemes for mixed-ethnic employment.

• Develop mixed-ethnic user groups to act as communi-cations groups for public administration.

• Assess the development of quotation systems for eth-nic and endogenous population in public housing.

• Develop procedures for decentralising authority, com-petence and responsibility to the citizens.4


• Ways to promote social integration and to reduce seg-regation through spatial policies

• Ways to disseminate Information on expected planning(local, regional)

• Working programmes for maintenance of public space• Experience on youth parliaments and other target

groups' involvement• Examples to raise identification with the quarter and

public space

• New urban layout for old high rise apartment buildings.

VISION Statement 8Urban Regions which are Attractive Places fortheir Populations and Visitors

Projects in regard to this vision shall deal with the en-hancement of urban attractiveness, which refers tourban structures as well as to design quality. Thepromotion of cultural heritage shall contribute to thisend.

Projects shall work towards mixed urban structuresand compact city models. The shall look for inte-grated approaches taking the diversity of demands to

urban space into account and finding a balance be-tween socio-economic and ecological requirements.



• Develop indicators for comparative analysis of attrac-tiveness

• Projects stimulating architectural design with water

• Joint promotion of the NSR as a tourist destination

• Find ways to promote local culture

• Set up network for the presentation and preservation ofworld heritage sites

• Develop spatial plans which reflect respect for archi-tectural, urban and nature heritage.

• Develop spatial plans which reflect priority on recrea-tion, urban nature and clean environment.

• Develop spatial plans which reflect priority on securityand mix generations/ethnic background.

• Develop spatial plans which reflect priority on sustain-able infrastructure, mix functions and balanced locationof trade and industry.

• Develop spatial plans which mix architectural heritageand contemporal architecture of high value.

• Develop spatial plans which promote “Compact City” –concept.

• Develop plans and procedures for the transfer frompresent day transport system to future sustainabletransport systems.

• Develop plans for reducing the overall amount of trans-port through relocation (station-near) of workplaces,mix urban function development, and change of trans-port mode.


• Experience with pilot projects for urban regeneration,and their contribution to the attraction of visitors

• Experience with conversion of brownfield areas andderelict military sites

3.3 Rural Areas

VISION Statement 9Human Activities which are in Harmony with Na-ture

“Controlled use of valuable natural and cultural land-scape” is the key issue when dealing with rural areas.

This is related to the promotion of sustainable tourismas a main field for project ideas. But other economic



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activities need to be harmonised with the require-ments of nature and cultural landscape preservationas well, such as farming, fishing, energy generation.



• Identify implications of extended use of coastal watersfor wind farming of large and small scale facilities

• Develop approaches to manage the change towardssustainable tourism

• Develop thematic tourism routes which minimise nega-tive environmental impacts

• Restoration of cultural heritage objects with commonNSR identity

• Conservation and development – “ConVelopment” - ofcultural landscapes

• Develop sustainable agricultural policies and relatedsuitable instruments

• Pilot projects for the environment friendly economicaluse of valuable nature areas and landscapes

• Develop concepts to allow reductions in distances trav-elled by vehicles in rural areas (residents and visitors),without harming economic and social progress.

• Recreation of wetlands areas with special focus onbiodiversity


• Potentials to use economic instruments for sustainabledevelopment of valuable landscapes;

• Management experience for sustainable developmentof valuable landscape areas

• Sustainable development of tourism, including masstourism

• Benefits from extensive agriculture, new role of thefarmer for green area management

• Best practice to reduce negative impacts of intensivefarming in border areas to enhance water quality, bio-diversity, environment/ agricultural policy

VISION Statement 10Rural Populations participate fully in Economicand Social Progress

This vision deals with ways to secure the economicdynamics of rural areas so as not to force people tomigrate to major urban centres. All integrated plan-ning themes discussed in chapter 2 are relevant fromthe point of view of rural welfare.

More specific project proposals are shown below:



• Rural tourism promotion plans harmonised with sus-tainable regional development

• Networking for lengthening the tourist season

• Establish of tele-working houses

• Providing every home in a village or urban street with aPC linked to the internet and monitoring the way inwhich it is used for community development, economicgrowth and social development.

• Regional development of peripheral areas – objectives,potentials, instruments

• Analyse the regions' perception of EU CAP and EFREand their impact on regional development

• Develop mechanisms to involve farmers in landscapemanagement

• Identify concepts of sustainable and bio-diverse agri-culture

• Develop tools and instruments that permits farming incultural heritage areas


• Strengthening of services supply in rural urban centres• Ways to promote endogenous economical potentials

for regional development• Use of IT for regional development

• Ways of improve media competence

4. Call for contributionsto specify proposedaction

This document will not be complete before regions –and Interreg IIC project leaders - have made theircomments and more specific proposals, particularlyas regards proposed relevant themes and projects.

They are those knowing best which action is neededfor their respective region. They are therefore invitedto suggest further specifications:

A. Chapter III. Spatial trends

(1) Suggest specifications to the broad statements interms of more precise examples, indication ofwhere such issues are particularly relevant.

B. Chapter IV. Future challenges

(2) Indicate whether the statements on future chal-lenges are supported by the addressees, orshould they be revised.



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(3) Indicate where such issues are particularly rele-vant examples.

C. Chapter V – Strategies

(4) Comment whether the proposed strategies re-flect adequate approaches as seen by the re-gions.

(5) Inform where the regions need enhanced supportfrom national and transnational spatial develop-ment policies helping them to better perform theirregional development tasks.

D. Chapter VI – Themes for enhanced integratedplanning with cross-sector co-operation andother key themes

(6) Propose other important themes with a specificneed and expected benefits to enhance cross-sector and transnational co-operation.

F. Chapter VI – Project proposals

(7) Propose other concrete projects towards jointaction or exchange of experience on good prac-tise.

(8) Specify relevant regions where such projectswould be useful

Documents

A Spatial Perspective for the North Sea Region Summary Draft · A Spatial Perspective for the North Sea Region Summary Draft. NORVISION A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NORTH SEA REGION