Editorials
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Date
1988
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Taylor and Francis
Abstract
Reflections on Europe: the 1988 AESOP: Congress Everyone is talking about 1992. However most of the discussion is highly speculative—it would be valuable to know more about the actual thinking in Brussels at the moment. How is planning viewed at the European scale? The Association of European Schools of Planning at its 2nd Annual Congress in Dortmund in November was fortunate in having a speaker from the European Commission in the form of Gunter Schneider, Director of the Directorate for Environment. It was clear from his presentation that 'green' issues are a significant part of the Commission's activity. This has been the case for some time, spurred on by controversies and national policies that detrimentally effect neighbouring countries, including problems of nuclear waste, toxic dumping, agricultural practices, and pollution of the sea. Gunter Schneider explained how the longstanding concern of the Commission was now entering a new phase with an emphasis on the integration of environmental programmes into other programmes such as the economic and social ones. However, whereas the environmental programme has been at the forefront of the Commission's work for some time, its interest in spatial planning as such was just beginning. Up to now, spatial planning has been considered a matter of local concern and therefore not within the remit of the EEC. This attitude is changing. The impact of major projects like the Channel Tunnel and high-speed trains, and shifts such as an ageing northern population, demands for leisure and tourism or the importance of pleasant living conditions in deciding on economic location — all these have spatial implications of European significance. Taken together with the concern for increased integration of policies we can expect spatial planning to be firmly on the Commission agenda in the coming years. There will be a strong message coming across that such planning is essential for the future quality of life and also for the longer term sustainability of economic development. Mrs Thatcher seems to have turned green recently, she will now actually have to implement some of the rhetoric. Planning education and research will also have to respond and place greater importance on environmental aspects. Maybe we have the basis here for a resurrection of the planning system. Is this why the Prime Minister seems so scared of moves towards greater integration of European social policies?
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Planning Practice & Research 3(6), 3–4
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Citation
Griffiths, R., Morphet, J., & Thornley, A. (1988). Editorials. Planning Practice & Research, 3(6), 3–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/02697458808722711