ISOCARP Case Info

- New spatial strategies for the densely built-up Flanders region (Belgium)

541 kb

Short Outline

Working with ‘strategic projects’ has developed into a new spatial strategy
in densely built-up and spread out settlement structure Flanders. In this
paper (1) the success factors of this approach are defined and (2) two
strategic projects are explained more comprehensively.

Abstract

In 1997 the Flemish parliament approved the Spatial Structure Plan, and a
coherent spatial vision was formulated in this policy plan under the motto
of “Flanders, open and urban”. Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, is
in fact characterised by a high population density (450 inhabitants/km²)
and an extremely spread-out pattern of construction. From this ambitious
spatial policy plan, over the subsequent 15 years there followed a great
deal of planning processes concerning urbanicity, living, open space,
infrastructure and industry, steered by the Flemish government. The most
successful of these are 30 strategic projects that are not initiated but
subsidised by the Flemish government. To a greater degree than other
projects steered top-down, these are focused on the effective realisation
of spatial policy in Flanders.

Working with ‘strategic projects’ has developed into a new spatial strategy
in densely built-up and spread out settlement structure Flanders. In this
paper (1) the success factors of this approach are defined and (2) two
strategic projects are explained more comprehensively. Here is a foretaste
of the analysis results:

- The strategic projects arise ‘bottom-up’ and are initiated by local
authorities (municipalities, provinces and other partners), in a
collaborative partnership spontaneously arising around a set of issues;

- ‘Seizing opportunities’ resulting from autonomous processes is central in
these projects;

- After selection, the Flemish government provides financial support for
the salary and operational costs of a project coordinator for 3 years,
amounting to €100,000 p.a.;

- A professional and independent project coordinator is an essential
condition for being able to achieve complex and strategic projects and
results with an exemplary and leverage role;

- On implementation, land policy often proves to be crucially important for
achieving spatial objectives. For this reason, a subsidy of up to €500.000
can be requested on top of the project coordination for land purchases;

- It is advantageous to consider the structure and composition of the
collaborative partnerships, and the interaction in each strategic project.
Customisation is a keyword in this respect;

- All strategic projects are multiple planning tasks that are only realised
if a robust basis is built up within the context of open plan processes;

- Dynamics arise at micro level through the innovative capacity of
individuals and groups, stimulated by governments.

Two projects will be specifically elaborated in this paper: (1) BOSLAND,
the development of the largest and most child-friendly woodland in
Flanders, and (2) ALBERTKNOOP, the realisation of a cross-border,
innovative and multi-modally developed business area adjoining a
substantial green belt.

With these strategic projects, the Flemish government is taking a major
step from generic to specific policy: the area-focused approach and the
importance of ‘governance’ are becoming more important.

Biography

Guy Vloebergh (Belgium) has been CEO of OMGEVEING cvba since 1998, a
private design and planning company with a passion for the living
environment (guy.vloebergh@omgeving.be), since 2004 a professor of urban
planning at ARTESIS University College of Urbanism and Spatial Planning in
Antwerp, since 2009 Manager of the Cross-Border Project ALBERTKNOOP and
since 2012 president of the National Delegation of Belgium planners in
ISOCARP.

Keywords

Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2013: Frontiers of Planning - Evolving and declining models of city planning practice

Click to open the full paper as pdf document

Click to send an email to the author(s) of this paper