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Strategic Environmental Assessment And The Democratisation Of Spatial Planning

Author

Listed:
  • ALESSANDRO BONIFAZI

    (Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Bari Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy)

  • CARLO REGA

    (Inter University Department of Territorial Studies and Planning, Polytechnic University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 39, 10125, Turin, Italy)

  • PAOLA GAZZOLA

    (Global Urban Research Unit, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Claremont Tower, NE1 7RU, UK)

Abstract

This paper investigates the potential of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to contribute to the high-level policy objective of fostering democratisation in spatial planning. Democratic SEA is conceptualised by discussing environmental citizenship, public control over policy making, and participants' empowerment. The empirical investigation is based on the analysis of SEA documents produced during 25 municipal spatial planning processes in Italy between 2004 and 2010. The study found that advances are more evident in the creation of cross-sectoral governance networks than in the involvement of citizens and civil-society organisations. SEA seems to be increasing transparency and expanding the scope of democratic control over spatial planning decisions, though the boundaries between experts, decision makers and citizens are clearly demarcated. To strengthen democratisation processes, the paper argues that all participants should consider themselves equally responsible within SEA networks, and be ready to question alternative environmental value systems that underpin spatial planning processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Bonifazi & Carlo Rega & Paola Gazzola, 2011. "Strategic Environmental Assessment And The Democratisation Of Spatial Planning," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 13(01), pages 9-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jeapmx:v:13:y:2011:i:01:n:s1464333211003778
    DOI: 10.1142/S1464333211003778
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    Cited by:

    1. Suškevičs, M. & Eiter, S. & Martinat, S. & Stober, D. & Vollmer, E. & de Boer, C.L. & Buchecker, M., 2019. "Regional variation in public acceptance of wind energy development in Europe: What are the roles of planning procedures and participation?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 311-323.
    2. Paola Gazzola & Alessandro Rinaldi, 2016. "Reflecting on SEA’s Usefulness: A Case Study on Italy," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 18(04), pages 1-24, December.

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