Vision and Strategies Around the Baltic Concertation on a Broad Scale Was Sought with Sea 2010”

COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED MAP VISION FOR THE BALTIC SEA REGION 2010

European cities

Baltic cities

National cities

Regional cities

Other cities

Border co-operation International high-speed train Important regional train International road Regional road Ferryboat line International airports Coastal planning zone Protected areas Wetlands

1 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

SUMMARY

RATIONALE 4

THE INITIATIVE 5

THE SYSTEM: SPATIAL PLANNING IN THE BSR 5

VISION FOR THE BALTIC SEA REGION 2010 6

STRATEGIES AND FIRST COMMON ACTIONS 9

FOUNDATIONS

THE CHALLENGES 12

VISION

1. BASIC VALUES AND OVERALL GOALS 15

2. VISION 2010 18

2.1 THE PEARLS: AN URBAN NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE 18

2.2 THE STRINGS: EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE LINKS BETWEEN CITIES 20

2.3 THE PATCHES: AREAS SUPPORTING DYNAMISM AND QUALITY OF LIFE 27

2.4 THE SYSTEM: COMPREHENSIVE SPATIAL PLANNING IN FUNCTION 30 INTRODUCTION

This report describes goals for spatial potentials and preferences from national and development in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), international points of view. It is intended, that strategies how to achieve these, and fi rst local authorities shall have the opportunity to common actions to start implementation. It is apply for participation in proposed pilot projects. the result of common work of a Group of Focal Points (GFP) representing ministries responsible The BSR is unique for its multitude and variety of for spatial planning of the participating countries/ co-operation and consultation initiatives, bodies regions. Though it is recognized that spatial and and programs. Many of these initiatives have only economic development are independent, this emerged recently, when the political division of report concentrates on spatial aspects. Europe was overcome. Now spatial cohesion must be a priority issue on the international agenda. The It is the common desire that the Baltic Sea numerous initiatives may benefi t from common Region 2010 shall be a region with principles and visions for spatial development. But equally, the materialisation of spatial visions a diversity of mutual relations in trade, transport, depends on concerted actions. Therefore, culture and education; the dialogue with other institutions was an important element during report preparation. Such a strong identity enabling the BSR to play an concertation must continue. Also, our knowledge important role within Europe and the world; of factors shaping the future of the BSR needs to be improved in various fi elds. Therefore, in the a diversity of individual sub-regions, developing on course of time, strategies and action programs the basis of their respective strengths and potentials; need to be updated. The fi rst proposed common actions shall contribute to this process. a fame for the reconciliation between development and respect of the environment; Following an opening ministerial conference in August 1992, interim results of common work were a planning philosophy based on the principles of discussed at the second Ministerial Conference in transparency, reliability, participation and subsidiarity. Gdansk (December 1993). This report has been prepared for the third Ministerial Conference to be The purpose of this report is to establish a held in Tallinn, Estonia, in December 1994. common platform and framework of reference for development measures having an impact on spatial Repeated meetings of the GFP proved valuable structures of the BSR. This may help to strengthen in creating a common understanding of planning the spatial dimension in sectoral programs problems and approaches. The mutual learning process at national and international level in order to was among the benefi ts of the common work. promote spatial cohesion around the Baltic Sea. Each Focal Point has been responsible for The report serves to strengthen spatial policies in contribution of the required information. Some data all parts of the BSR. are not yet complete and compatible. Particularly for the Russian part many data are missing. It provides local authorities with a reference for their own developmental efforts. The “vision Group of Focal Points and strategies” are not meant to restrict local initiative. On the contrary, it is highly desirable Sirkka Hautojärvi, Chairperson that such initiative shall be strengthened. Overall visions may help to identify local development November 1994

3 RATIONALE

The Baltic Sea Region (BSR) represents a total Co-operation helps to maintain peaceful population of more than 100 million, producing a development. Co-operation in all possible fi elds – Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approx. USD including spatial planning – helps to build a basis 1000 billion (1991). Historically, this powerful of mutual trust and reliability. region was characterized by a high degree of spatial cohesion. The purpose of this document is to take a fi rst step in the formulation of an overall This cohesion needs to be enhanced after spatial structure and a framework for the wide decades of political division. Social cohesion spectrum of sectoral cooperation initiatives. suffers from unprecedented discrepancies in living Such a framework can help to avoid scattered standards. But still there is a feeling of belonging action and waste of resources. It responds to the together, which is refl ected by a remarkable acceleration pace of international integration, number of co-operation initiatives emerging since the threat of widening interregional gaps in living the collapse of the iron curtain. standards, changes in patterns of migration, of the role of cities, of trade and capital fl ows, growing The Baltic Sea region must develop a strong tourism and – last but not least – to the need to identity. The Baltic Sea Region competes globally improve the environment. with other regions. It needs to develop its own profi le and strengths. On this basis its contribution to a common Europe will gain in value and strength. The Baltic Sea Region (BSR)

Investors and other actors need a reliable planning 1. Denmark framework. Spatial policies can contribute to 2. Norway provide investors and other actors with better information on future spatial development. 3. Sweden

The BSR shall become a masterpiece for 4. Finland sustainable, environmentally sound development. 5. Russia The region has kept valuable natural areas which Murmansk oblast, Karelia, St. Petersburg, are now threatened by rapid development. But Leningrad oblast, Novgorod oblast, Pskov many cities exhibit environmental degradation due oblast, Kaliningrad oblast to growing (road) trafﬁ c volumes, air and water pollution, required rehabilitation of the housing 6. Estonia stock, inappropriate land use, inadequate waste disposal, etc. There is also severe environmental 7. Latvia damage in other areas which needs remedy action. Hot spots shall be gradually eliminated to 8. Lithuania ﬁ the bene t of the water quality of the Baltic Sea. 9. Belarus

Short-term problems must not prevent 10. Poland from creating a longer-term perspective. The temptation to do “ﬁ rst things ﬁ rst” is 11. Germany overwhelming, but sustainable development Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, will not be achieved unless long-term planning Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Berlin, perspective is provided. Brandenburg

4 THE INITIATIVE

On 21 August 1992 representatives from authorities when drawing up their own spatial national and regional ministries of the Baltic policies Sea Region (BSR) responsible for environment protection and for spatial planning met in Strategies and actions concentrate on aspects of Karlskrona, Sweden. It was decided to jointly cross-national or Baltic interest prepare a document on a spatial development concept “Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Concertation on a broad scale was sought with Sea 2010”. other organizations and international initiatives.

Purpose: Expected beneﬁ ts: support the development of networks for co- the importance of the BSR in the international operation in the Baltic Sea Region context becomes more apparent provide a practical forum for the transfer of the BSR will be further integrated spatially in the competence to the countries in transition to wider European territory democratic market economies the region moves towards an environmentally improve the level of information in the BSR sound, effective and balanced spatial structure, countries on current trends and problems in and development pattern other countries in the region the region will be able to react effectively to assess important infrastructure projects to changes and challenges having an impact on receive international ﬁ nancial contributions spatial structures promote spatial planning in the participating synergy effects will be achieved by integrating the countries and regions. spatial aspects of the numerous initiatives in the region and through harmonization of the spatial Principles: aspects of policies in the countries involved Joint visions and strategies are not a comprehensive “mega plan” for the region. But the region will be prepared to participate in they are hoped to be taken into account by the discussions concerning the spatial development of the European continent.

THE SYSTEM: SPATIAL PLANNING IN THE BSR

Spatial planning and implementation depend on have no national development concepts or need persuasive powers which are inﬂ uenced by the to update those prepared under the communist quality of planners’ arguments and the willingness rule (some of them have already started with this of sectoral institutions to accept these arguments. task, e.g. Poland, Lithuania, Estonia). A lot still needs to be done to strengthen this concertation process based on wide dialogues. The application of strategic (preventive) environment impact assessment (EIA) for Several countries rely on framework planning major sectoral projects/programmes is from the national level. Transition countries either unsatisfactory in most countries. Regional impact

5 assessments of major projects are only practiced national (framework) planning and local planning. in exceptional cases. Planning legislation had to be widely reformed (new legislation has been approved in Poland Decentralisation in spatial planning is a key issue and Latvia). There is the need for international in all countries. In some transition countries it led scholarships, speciﬁ c training courses, and to a wide gap between (not yet fully developed) upgrading of university courses.

VISION FOR THE BALTIC SEA REGION 2010 VALUES AND OVERALL GOALS

Four basic values aiming at the improvement of the level representatives are called to mobilise their quality of life constitute the “heart” of the vision: own resources and capabilities.

Development VISION 2010 Environmental sustainability Visions describe the desired (and realistically achievable) Freedom future in spatial terms. The vision consists of 14 goals. Solidarity THE PEARLS: AN URBAN SYSTEM OF Development: INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE The notion of development goes beyond The urban network shall economic prosperity of growth. Development promote spatial cohesion (reduce spatial includes social, cultural and other aspects. But discrepancies in living standards) economic prosperity is a pre-condition for many other elements of quality of life, and therefore provide conditions for the efﬁ cient use of plays a predominant role. development potentials Environmental sustainability: be Development must not deprive future environment-friendly. generations of their chances. Sustainability in this sense has not been achieved anywhere. But The vision 2010 includes 4 goals for the urban system: policy shall make it possible to come even closer to the objective. 1. A competitive system of cities gains Freedom: value by co-operating across the Freedom implies the possibility to choose in Baltic Sea and with Europe, accordance with individual/regional preferences – high-lighting a Baltic Ring of European Cities. within the limitations deﬁ ned by the respect for other people wishing the same. There is no 2. freedom without participation. Subsidiarity is an The system of cities ensures spatial important tool to allow participation. It also helps cohesion, to improve the quality of decisions. including a network of Baltic Cities,

Solidarity: national cities with national signiﬁ cance and Solidarity is the characteristic of a caring society importance similar to the network of “Baltic Cities”, sharing beneﬁ ts from development. Linked to the principle of solidarity is that of self-reliance: prior a number of regional cities. Their good functioning to involvement of higher level spatial units, lower is crucial to the success of spatial policies. They

6 play a key role in the mobilization of regional promote spatial cohesion (reduce spatial development potential and in promoting spatial discrepancies in living standards). economic and social cohesion within the countries. The vision 2010 comprises the following 3 goals 3. for the mobility network: Links between urban areas and rural hinterland support regional economic 5. and environmental balance The BSR mobility network facilitates Improved links between urban centres and rural environment-friendly transport hinterlands shall allow all subregions to participate The development of the mobility network shall be in the development process. linked with the planned urban network to promote environment-friendly sea and railway transport. 4. Cities offer an attractive urban environment Railway operation systems and the institutional set- for inhabitants and investment up of the transport sector shall allow a maximum The green infrastructure of cities shall be of market orientation in order to mobilise the preserved and restored, urban sprawl should potentials of environment-friendly transport modes. be avoided. Green connections between urban areas and open landscapes shall be promoted. Combined transport and intermodal cooperation Urban development shall be linked with shall be enhanced with a view to promoting sea public transport systems, the location of new (and inland waterways) instead of land transport, developments shall be concentrated where railways instead of road transport, wherever feasible. traffi c demand – especially by motor vehicles – will be minimized. Recycling of urban land for Care shall be taken that new major infrastructure development (i.e. the re-use of existing building projects minimize negative effects on the plots where previous activities have ceased) shall environment and maximize regional dynamization. be given preferences against expansion of built- up areas. Reserve areas for future generations 6. shall be set aside. Urban waste volumes shall The mobility network provides be minimized with a growing degree of waste conditions for effective integration recycling, and remaining disposals shall not be within the BSR and with the world harmful to groundwater and soils. Effective border-crossing shall provide conditions for the economic feasibility of physical infrastructure THE STRINGS: EFFECTIVE AND improvements. SUSTAINABLE LINKS BETWEEN CITIES Sea transport The mobility network shall shall be supported through the promotion of the ring of “Baltic cities” with provide conditions for the effi cient use of good links to their hinterlands. The potential for inland waterways development potentials improvement of seems to be limited, but should be studied in more detail promote the integration within the BSR and the (particularly in Poland). integration of the BSR as a part of Europe Projected international transport corridors shall promote the use of environment-friendly be planned in such a way that regional benefi ts transport modes and energy supply systems will be taken into due account and environmental impacts are considered in time. Major missing improve the accessibility of services and job links shall be eliminated (e.g. a fi xed link across opportunities the Öresund and across the Fehmarn Belt, links

7 between Finland and Russian Karelia/Murmansk, a 8. new bridge across the lower Elbe river). Cross-border co-operation contributes signifi cantly to spatial economic and Public commuter systems shall operate in and social cohesion around major cities (particularly cities marked as Border areas will be instrumental to the European or Baltic city regions). Long-distance interchange among nations, including trade, labour road transport shall be minimized through markets, communal utility services, transport improved port, sea transport and railway services, cultural and educational co-operation. services. 9. A functioning system of regional communication Islands function as a touristic core in lines shall support regional development and the BSR minimize travel needs. “Information expressways” Islands are the geographic centre of the BSR. They shall bind the BSR regions together and link them have a tradition of being nodes of transport, trade with Western Europe and other continents. and communication within the BSR and beyond. Their touristic attraction in many respects is Countries in Northern, Central and Eastern unique in Europe. They can also contribute to Europe shall be linked to the North Sea oil and cross-Baltic cultural and educational co-operation. gas sources via new sea port installations (e.g. They already are and shall even intensify their role Lithuanian Butinge and Latvian Liepaja, linked to as spearheads in the search for ways to reconcile the Lithuanian refi nery Mazeikiai) and/or new environment protection with local development. gas pipelines (Norwegian gas via Sweden or British gas via Denmark). The Nordic, Eastern 10. and Western electricity networks shall be linked The coastal zone is planned with together to form one common energy grid. careful balance between development and protection 7. The HELCOM Recommendation 15/1, adopted Energy production relies increasingly by the Ministers of the Environment of the Baltic on renewable and environment- Sea States on 8 March 1994, concerning the friendly sources of energy protection of the coastal strip, is an important In view of the greenhouse effect, efforts shall step forward. Corresponding national/regional be made to biologically bind carbon dioxide. planning guidelines shall be worked out, and a Spatial planning for areas suitable for bioenergy common decision on the application of these production and for local energy systems can shall be sought. support a sustainable energy supply. 11. For the location of new power plants or the A Baltic Network of nature areas is extension, or rehabilitation of the existing ones, designated and protected international concertation shall be sought The aim is to preserve and to improve natural and and Environment Impact Assessment shall be cultural resources throughout the BSR, to reduce prepared according to the Espoo Convention. environmental pollution, to secure environmental capacities of European signifi cance, and to achieve THE PATCHES: AREAS SUPPORTING environmentally sound use of space. Areas still DYNAMISM AND QUALITY OF LIFE close to nature shall be linked up. They shall form Concerning specifi c types of areas, the vision ecologically effective networks extending up to 2010 sets up 4 goals for the future: and into densely populated industrial regions.

8 THE SYSTEM: COMPREHENSIVE SPATIAL (subsidiarity). Private and public investors shall be PLANNING IN FUNCTION able to base their decisions on highly transparent The “system” serves to bring about coordination regional and urban development policies. Plans and of programmes and plans and to promote their implementation programmes shall be the result implementation. of participative procedures where potentially affected groups, individuals or companies are Vision 2010 includes 3 goals: actively involved in the planning process.

12. 14. Spatial planning contributes to Spatial planning contributes to the harmonization and spatial cohesion co-ordination of sectoral and regional across borders planning There shall be institutionalised systems to The BSR countries shall dispose of indicative harmonise national spatial concepts among (framework) national spatial concepts which are neighbouring countries. National plans shall pay periodically updated. Spatial development in the speciﬁ c attention to the international perspective. BSR shall be monitored jointly at regular intervals They shall seek harmony with concepts mutually to enable decisions on required new actions. agreed for the wider Baltic Sea Region and for Europe as a whole. National spatial planning systems shall include at least three different planning levels: national, 13. regional and local (municipal). There shall Spatial planning is based on the be systems to evaluate and to control local principles of subsidiarity, participation development plans for their consistency with and transparency regional concepts (particularly in the ﬁ elds of Urban, regional and national planning decisions transport and energy infrastructure, nature shall be taken at the lowest possible level protection, recreation and tourism).

STRATEGIES AND FIRST COMMON ACTIONS

Strategies describe the concept to make visions First common actions: come true. Many actions to be taken within these 1.1 arrange regular meetings of strategies will be under the responsibility of individual ministers responsible for spatial countries. In the following paragraphs those actions, planning to elaborate the Vision which are of common interest, will be addressed. and Strategies and update the action programme I. OVERALL STRATEGY 1.2 make proposals for selected pilot The strategy has three main issues: projects 1.3 make ﬁ nancial arrangements 1. promote concrete actions in line with the vision required for the action programme 1.4 design a marketing effort for the 2. promote the marketing of the Baltic Sea Region BSR at the international level 1.5 elaborate a research programme 3. continue the project of “Vision and Strategies 1.6 encourage the inter-networking around the Baltic Sea 2010” (VASAB 2010) in of spatial research institutes concertation with other institutions 1.7 establish a VASAB secretariat

9 2. THE PEARLS: AN URBAN NETWORK OF and formation of a Baltic Network of cultural and INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE nature areas. The vision embraces a competitive system of cities with international importance, a network First common actions: of “European” and “Baltic Cities” ensuring spatial 4.1 assess potentials for further cohesion, and an attractive and sustainable urban cross-border co-operation environment. 4.2 encourage pilot projects for cross- border co-operation with spatial First common actions: planning component 2.1 organise a joint conference among 4.3 elaborate guidelines for spatial the “European” and “Baltic planning in the coastal zone Cities” for common marketing 4.4 elaborate a harmonized concept and cooperation for the development and 2.2 launch a research programme on protection of valuable natural weaknesses and potentials of the and cultural landscapes in a BSR urban network in the BSR network

3. THE STRINGS: EFFECTIVE AND 5. THE SYSTEM: COMPREHENSIVE SPATIAL SUSTAINABLE LINKS BETWEEN CITIES PLANNING IN FUNCTION The vision includes a transportation system The vision is that spatial planning in the BSR will which facilitates environment-friendly mobility, have a common framework of reference with a mobility network that provides conditions for proper planning instruments in each country; that effective spatial integration, and an increasing use it will be based on the principles of subsidiarity, of renewable and environment-friendly source of participation and transparency; and that it energy. contributes to the harmonization of sectoral planning and planning on regional level. First common actions: 3.1 identify possible locations of First common actions: multimodal transport centres 5.1 organise discussions with the (together with the Conference of EU on spatial development and Baltic Ministers of Transport) planning policies 3.2 identify further needs to improve 5.2 prepare a synoptic review port hinterland infrastructure of spatial planning and (together with the Conference of implementation concepts in the Baltic Ministers of Transport) BSR countries at national and 3.3 promote a pilot project on regional levels potentials to strengthen spatial 5.3 encourage demonstration cohesion through new forms of projects for the application of EIA telecommunication at an early stage in the planning process 4. THE PATCHES: AREAS SUPPORTING 5.4 enter a concerted dialogue with DYNAMISM AND QUALITY OF LIFE countries involved to design The vision envisages that cross-border co- appropriate training and technical operation contributes to spatial economic and assistance concepts. social cohesion; islands function as a touristic core in the Baltic Sea Region; development of coastal zones will be guided by spatial planning

10 POPULATION DENSITY IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION

Density Inhabitants/ km2 > 500

100 to 500

50 to 100

25 to 50

10 to 25

<10

11 THE CHALLENGES

Visions and strategies for spatial development sharply, and at the Polish-Belarus border there in the BSR seek a response to a number of is a further drop. Belarus achieves only a small challenges. fraction of the German level. Between Finland and Russia, a similar discrepancy occurs when International integration: Nordic countries crossing only one border line. The Baltic States (Sweden, Norway and Finland) are in the process (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are better off of further integration with the European Union than Belarus or Russia, but a huge difference (EU). This will promote their trade relations with as compared to Poland or even Nordic and Western Europe, strengthening sub-regions with Western countries also exists. Such differences a favourable location towards the west. Transport were unknown during Western European links to the west receive additional attention. The integration. With open borders, they may induce EU social, economic, agricultural and regional signifi cant migration of capital and people. policies will probably infl uence Nordic structures. Spatial qualities change rapidly. Main factors Nordic, western and transition countries have an affecting locational decisions of modern interest to promote mutual links. Though formal knowledge-based industries concentrate not integration within the framework of the EU will only on such aspects as urban cultural and not be achieved for all countries within the next environmental values, recreational opportunities, few years, functional integration in a number rapid and frequent transport connections, high- of fi elds can be intensifi ed. Improved transport standard telecommunication systems, but also on links for goods, persons and information will cost and quality of labour. be needed. The growing concern about the Manufacturing industries look for new sources of environment is no longer a local or national affair supply or for new production sites. This causes only. This is also true for the region around the fear of losing jobs and profi ts, which leads to Baltic Sea. efforts to maintain or even to increase trade barriers, and this in turn would restrict investors’ Integration can be hampered by inadequate search for new locations. urban networks and infrastructure, growing How can spatial policies contribute to the border control, trade restrictions, etc. Spatial improvement of spatial qualities, to the reduction planning cannot avoid or remove all such barriers. of interregional discrepancies, and thus to a But the challenge is: how can spatial planning better social and economic cohesion? improve investors’, traders’ and producers’ security in an economic environment already full Changing pattern of migration: Interregional of uncertainties? discrepancies in incomes, paired with a high Where and how can cross-border integration degree of unemployment and insecurity in improve peoples’ accessibility to services and transition countries, led to fears of uncontrollable allow service provision at low cost by taking migration fl ows to the north and to the west. advantage of economies of scale? So far, these fears did not prove true, and this is only partly due to strict immigration control. But Interregional discrepancies in living standards: the threat is still felt. Only through accelerated The BSR is an area of high differences in living economic development, improved economic standards and income. In the group of Nordic and social security for people and investors will countries differences in average income per be possible to reduce spatial imbalances and to inhabitant are small. But when crossing the convince the most mobile strata of population to German-Polish border, the income level falls use their energy in their country.

12 How can spatial planning contribute to the These growing sectors tend to concentrate on creation of better conditions for economic major cities, where communication facilities and development, and to the improvement of living transportation infrastructure are well developed conditions? and where a variety of supporting services can be found. Such processes are further Environment rehabilitation, urban restructuring strengthened by the increasing international and functioning system of urban centres could orientation even of smaller enterprises, of public be important elements for balanced economic institutions, and of research institutes: in the BSR growth and interregional cohesion. transition countries, only major cities normally offer adequate long-distance telecommunication The restructuring of eastern agriculture will, in and travel opportunities at present. Once such many regions, be accompanied by a decrease of concentration has taken place, it is diffi cult to rural employment. People will seek new chances modify it. in the cities. It is imperative that medium-sized What could be the contribution of improved cities will be in the position – in which they are infrastructure for secondary urban centres not in most parts of the east – to offer such and of decentralisation of public institutions chances. Strong migration to major cities would in redirecting the geography of economic deplete rural areas of chances to get their share development? in public and private services supply, and high infrastructure loads in the major centres would The formation of additional states with an go parallel to uneconomic infrastructure supply increased length of national borders deprived in other ones. some cities of their natural hinterland. Cities Which is the role of spatial planning in the like Daugavpils in Latvia, Kaliningrad, Bialystok, promotion of an improved interregional Grodno, Brest and others can develop service economic and social cohesion? functions towards areas of neighbouring countries. Some countries of the BSR were rather successful What are the possibilities of such cities to in achieving a relatively balanced urban-rural maintain their former service function? development. How can future spatial policies maintain this asset The disappearance of the iron curtain created with the integration in the European Union? new chances for the extension of urban hinterlands across borders. Not only bigger Changing role of cities: In some countries, e.g. cities like St. Petersburg and Helsinki can Belarus, new German Länder, urban systems develop service function towards areas of the were signifi cantly modifi ed during the socialist neighbouring countries. The same applies to era through the creation of new “heavy industry such cities as Szczecin (to supply part of poorly centres”. This sometimes helped to achieve serviced Mecklenburg-Vorpommern hinterland) a more balanced urban settlement system. or Frankfurt/Oder to also serve Polish hinterland. But these new centres are now particularly How can spatial planning contribute to the affected by the far-reaching economic structural materialisation of such potentials? changes, where large industries lose their former preponderance. At the international level, leading city regions increasingly compete with each other for the New economic structures favour medium-scale location of major business or international industries and service functions for consumers organisations and for global events (conferences and for business (fi nance, consultancy, trade and etc.). marketing, maintenance and repair, information Which are the conditions for the urban system services, transport and procurement, etc.). of the BSR to be competitive?

13 Changing trade patterns: Traditional (large- How can spatial policies contribute to a balance scale) industrial enterprises in Central and between different demands, to the evaluation Eastern Europe formed part of integrated of land use confl icts, and the identifi cation industrial complexes. Outsourcing – looking of the least environment-damaging land use for best suppliers wherever they exist in the assignments? world – was poorly developed. Within a market economy, industries will diversify their supply Major cities are located along the Baltic coast- and sale markets. This calls for more versatile line. By attracting marine and land transport communication systems. Better linkages with producing domestic and industrial waste (solid Northern and Western Europe need to be and liquid) and extending built-up areas, they developed, as transport growth is the highest are in permanent confl ict with coast and nature there. Bulk transport becomes less important, protection ambitions. individual consignments get smaller, stock Which rules are required for land use and waste volumes are reduced and transport quality and management to minimize negative effects on reliability become more important. Railway and nature and environment? sea transport – being environmentally preferable to road transport – can only maintain their With increasing motorization the competitive position by becoming more versatile and reliable, position of public passenger transport becomes too. This requires new forms of management and more diffi cult. This trend will be accentuated by intermodal co-operation. The latter one must be the preference for single-family instead of multi- supported by integrated multimodal transport storey housing. policies. How can urban spatial planning maintain such urban structures, which allow high shares of The importance of different port cities undergoes public transport – now on the basis of free rapid changes. With Ro-Ro vessels and container- consumer decision, and not because of having no carriers getting growing market shares, port cities other choice? lose employment opportunities in cargo handling activities, but may gain new opportunities in Growing tourism: Tourism in the BSR offers logistics and services. potential for extensive forms of tourism which How are spatial structures affected and how can are less dependent on seasons. Particularly they support the desired development paths? attractive are coastal zones, islands and archipelagos. Tourism can be a potential for Environmental degradation: The BSR comprises sustainable local and regional income generation, large areas of unique and unspoilt natural value if developed with care minimizing negative due to long-standing environment protection or impacts of natural and cultural values, while to backward agricultural practices. But it is also improving the supply of services. In the south- characterized by severe environmental damage eastern part of the BSR, touristic infrastructure through uncontrolled industrial pollution and is poorly developed. In the northern careless disposal of urban and industrial waste. part, which is environmentally sensitive to How can a balance be found between the exploitation, tourism development needs special restoration of polluted areas and waters, the approaches. protection of valuable areas, and short-term How can spatial planning support the use of goals of economic development? tourism as a tool for cultural integration? Which is the role of spatial policies to achieve a balance A healthy environment, paired with a functioning that satisfi es tourist demands, secures the system of urban centres, is important for environment, and allows the required variety of economic development. employment possibilities?

14 VISION

Visions describe the desired (and realistically Visions for spatial development are governed achievable) future (“Baltic 2010”) in spatial by basic values valid for all policy sectors of our terms. They are expressed through spatial society, and common to all countries around the Baltic Sea. Having deﬁ ned these basic values, structures which refer to they will be translated into overall spatial goals, the “pearls” (the urban network), or principles from which the visions are to be the “strings” (mobility network), derived. the “patches” (speciﬁ c types of areas), and planning processes as determined by “the system”.

1. BASIC VALUES AND OVERALL GOALS

Spatial development policies must integrate a Diversity is correlated with the principle of broad spectrum of sectoral and cross-sectoral integration: no region should develop as policies. Four basic values, all aiming at the a “closed shop” – not only for reasons of improvement of the quality of life, constitute the economic efﬁ ciency, but also to maintain a “heart” of the vision: mutual enrichment among regions and nations.

Development Development: Environmental sustainability Desirable spatial structures and processes must Freedom Solidarity create favourable conditions for the effi cient use of the Baltic Sea Region’s resources and Development: The notion of development potential (in all fi elds such as economy, culture, goes beyond economic prosperity or growth. arts, science) Development includes social, cultural and other aspects. But economic prosperity is a pre- reduce insecurity for investors and other actors condition for many other elements of quality of life, and therefore plays a predominant role. facilitate the development of a wide spectrum of activities in multiple forms at all spatial levels Development shall enhance diversity. Diversity refl ects the respect for individual human beings, help regions to develop on the basis of their for nature, regions and cultural heritage. As specifi c strengths and potentials. individual and regional preferences are different, they must have the chance to develop different Environmental sustainability: Development life styles, cultures and even economic activities. must follow a way which does not deprive future There is no high quality of life without diversity. generations of their chances. Resources must not Uniform solutions are to be avoided. The be fully consumed by one or a few generations, principle of diversity promotes regional and nor must they be spoilt to become unusable. local identity, and it strengthens the fl exibility of Nature and environment are to be kept so society as of nature. that future generations also have a chance to use and enjoy them under healthy conditions.

15 Sustainability in this sense has not been achieved undifferentiated decentralisation, where decisions anywhere. But policy shall make it possible to are taken without considering effects on the come ever closer to this objective. Sustainability wider territory. In spatial terms, this means: what also has a social and economic dimension. can be decided at the community level, needs Development shall be promoted in such a way no delegation to the municipal level; what can be as to maintain social and regional coherence. This decided at the municipal level, shall not be decided will be discussed under the value of solidarity at the regional one; and what can be decided and balance. regionally, must not be decided at the national level.

Environmental sustainability: Freedom: Desirable spatial structures and processes must Desirable spatial structures and processes must shape an energy effi cient settlement structure create conditions for the effi cient supply of avoid the defeat in land use competition of services and employment opportunities in all activities important for maintaining sustainability regions promote the use of environment-friendly ensure an adequate physical accessibility of these transport modes facilitate a planning process with a high degree of protect valuable environmental and nature local/ regional participation potentials, promote biological diversity. promote participation of people and businesses Freedom: Freedom is the possibility to choose in the planning process. in accordance with individual preference – within the limitations defi ned by the respect for other Solidarity: Solidarity is the characteristic people wishing the same. This includes two of a caring society, sharing benefi ts from elements: the availability of such options, as development. More powerful people of regions required by people; their accessibility in physical (in economic, intellectual or political terms) must and in economic terms. Such an objective will allow the weaker ones to have their fair share in never be achieved everywhere for everybody. development progress. But it defi nes a direction where policies – including spatial policies – should go for. Solidarity: Desirable spatial structures and processes must There is no freedom without participation. People – or their representatives at the lowest enable compromises between confl icting land possible level – must have the possibility to use demands to respect economic, social and participate actively in the preparation of decision environmental needs on development or environment protection measures. reduce interregional discrepancies in living standards (promote spatial coherence) Subsidiarity is an important tool to allow participation. It also helps to improve the quality establish a co-ordination system to balance local/ of decisions, which shall be taken at the lowest regional with supra-regional demands possible level. This is in contrast to undifferentiated centralisation, where decisions are taken far promote development which is based on from those being affected by them, and to regional specifi c strengths and characteristics.

16 Confl icts between different demands are to major (international) urban centres to make unavoidable. Spatial policies must seek them internationally competitive. compromises between competing or even confl icting demands. Such compromises must So the principle is: concentrate as far as be based on the principle of a fair balance, necessary, decentralise as far as possible. This where the spatial effect of no single demand rule needs specifi c forms of translation. can automatically overrule others. The balance between (economic) development Linked to the principle of solidarity is that of and environment, respectively between self-reliance: before higher level spatial units get confl icting land use demands, are closely involved, lower level representatives are called to interconnected. While in the long run both mobilize their own resources and capabilities. goals will meet, there is a confl ict between short-term economic progress and (long-term) A key word for spatial policies is spatial balance: environmental sustainability. The principle of decentralised concentration as opposed to Balance between: scattered development contributes to reduce decentralisation and concentration this confl ict. economic development and environment Urban land use shall be limited to well-defi ned (sustainability) urban areas expanding along established corridors. Touristic development shall give room confl icting land use demands for the protection of valuable areas. Industrial development shall be concentrated at the main Decentralisation relates to many of the international and regional centres to mobilize values discussed before. It is essential for development forces and to keep other areas the mobilisation of local potentials; it is a less disturbed; protection of valuable natural precondition for freedom and participation areas shall be concentrated at selected (and within a system of subsidiarity; it is required interlinked) areas to achieve a maximum of to achieve sustainability as well as a balance benefi ts. High-ranking infrastructure alignments between economic development and need to concentrate at a few corridors to protection of the environment. achieve economic viability and to minimize detrimental effects on the environment. Decentralisation is particularly linked to the urban network. Regions shall dispose of urban When differentiating land use, no single type centres with suffi ciently developed functions of land use can be given a-priori preference - to support economic development and to may it be industrial, urban, agricultural or provide economic viability for services and nature. The proper balance between different infrastructure supply. land uses can only be established according to local and regional circumstances. Therefore, it But this means at the same time concentration. is important to establish rules and regulations, Strengthening of regional urban centres shall which make sure that weaker types of land be concentrated at selected cities, depending use (and particularly those relevant to on the specifi c context of each country/region environmental sustainability) are suffi ciently (e.g. population density, economic structure, taken into consideration. Confl icts cannot distances and infrastructure network). A be avoided, but compromises can be sought, concentration is also necessary with respect which would minimise negative effects.

17 2. VISION 2010 2.1 THE PEARLS: AN URBAN NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE

The urban network shall, in accordance with the values a Baltic Ring of European Cities. promote spatial cohesion (reduce spatial These cities play an important role in international discrepancies in living standards) co-operation. They shall actively compete with similar urban centres in Western Europe and elsewhere. provide conditions for the effi cient use of development potentials They shall be places of important international institutions of European signifi cance, major trade fairs, be environment friendly scientifi c, trade and political congresses, multinational enterprises, etc. facilitate recycling. European Cities: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, In such a network: Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Riga, Minsk, Warsaw, Berlin, Hamburg cities co-operate with each other to use functional 2. complementarities to the mutual benefi t (city networks); The system of cities ensures spatial cities compete with each other (at regional, cohesion national or international scale, depending on This includes the city’s function) for economic development; provide an attractive urban environment; a Network of Baltic Cities. national territories are covered by a reasonably These cities will play an important role in cross-Baltic dense network of urban centres of different functions. integration. Examples of inter-city co-operation are: Helsinki – Institutions of Baltic signifi cance (specialised international Tampere corridor (Finland); Helsinki – Tallinn; the institutions like fi nancing institutions, associations – e.g. Öresund region (Copenhagen – Malmö); Trekantsbyen universities and research institutions dealing with Baltic (Fredericia, Kolding, Vejle) in Denmark; Kymirivervalley issues, etc.) will be preferably located in these cities (or (Kotka/Hamina – Kouvola/Kuusankoski) in Finland; in the “ring of European cities”). Baltic events will be Valmiera – Cēsis in Latvia, Gdansk – Gdynia – Sopot in offered appropriate facilities there (hotels, convention Poland; Lithuanian Vilnius – Kaunas; Fyrstad (Uddevalla, and exhibition centres, etc.) Such specialized strengths Vänersborg, Trollhättan, Lysekil) or Sundsvall- allow them also to compete at the international level. Härnösand – Timrå in Sweden; Greifswald – Stralsund in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Particular emphasis will be given to the development of “Baltic Cities” along the Baltic Sea coastline. These The vision 2010 consists of 4 goals: cities benefi t from cheap and environment-friendly sea 1. transport and act as inter-linkages between ports and A competitive system of cities gains their hinterland. value by co-operation across the Baltic Sea and with Europe National cities with national signifi cance will complement the network of “Baltic Cities”. These national cities The urban system comprises are located in the hinterland, and act as important

18 instruments for implementation of national spatial policies. Some “national” cities have also international functions. Depending of their successful efforts and interest, they have a potential to develop into “Baltic” cities.

A number of regional cities shall play a key role in the mobilisation of regional development potentials and in promoting spatial economic and social cohesion within the countries. Their good functioning is crucial to the success of spatial policies. Some of these cities, though being of a limited size, have also functions of Baltic importance.

Differences in the urban systems of individual countries require different strategies in the selection and promotion of regional cities.

3. Links between urban areas and rural hinterland support regional economic and environmental balance

Improved links between urban centres and rural hinterlands shall permit the interchange of goods and services at low time and transportation cost. This shall enable people to remain living in existing settlements. Urban hinterlands will develop their economic base and promote their role in providing recreation opportunities and bioenergy (where feasible). Particularly in sparsely populated areas, urban services supplies shall be promoted till the lowest functional level.

4. Cities offer an attractive urban environment for inhabitants and investment

The green infrastructure of cities will be preserved and restored where necessary. Urban sprawl shall be avoided. Green connections between urban areas and open landscapes shall be promoted. Urban spatial development will be linked with public transport systems, the location of new developments shall be concentrated where trafﬁ c demand – especially by motor vehicles – will be minimized. Recycling of urban land for development and reuse of existing building plots shall be given preference. Reserve areas for future generations shall be set aside, and waste recycling – including supporting activities in the urban hinterland – be promoted.

19 2.2 THE STRINGS: EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE LINKS BETWEEN CITIES

The mobility network shall be developed with permit to substitute passenger by information the aim to support the future urban network. transport. Therefore, development of the mobility and energy infrastructure systems follows the same goals: The use of marine transport shall be supported through the promotion of the ring of “European” provide conditions for the efﬁ cient use of and “Baltic cities”. development potentials Public commuter systems shall operate in and promote the integration within the BSR and around major cities (particularly cities marked between the BSR and the whole Europe as European or Baltic city regions). promote the use of environment friendly Long-distance road transport shall be minimized transport modes and energy supply systems through improved port, sea transport and railway services. improve the accessibility of services and job opportunities Combined transport and intermodal co-operation shall be enhanced with a view to promote sea promote spatial cohesion (reduce spatial (and inland waterways) instead of land transport, discrepancies in living standards). railways instead of road transport, wherever feasible. The vision 2010 comprises the following elements: Major road projects shall include city by-passes in order to avoid negative impacts on the urban 5. environment. They will be linked to the inter- The BSR mobility network facilitates environment-friendly transport modal transport centres referred to the above section on railways. The development of the mobility network shall be linked with the planned urban network to Care shall be taken to minimize negative improve the potential for environment-friendly environmental effects of new major transport modes (particularly sea transport and infrastructure projects and maximise regional railways). dinamisation.

Railway operation systems and the institutional 6. set-up of the transport sector shall allow a The mobility network provides conditions for effective integration maximum of market orientation to effectively within the BSR and with the world mobilise the potentials of environment-friendly transport modes. GENERAL Easy border crossing shall be possible with little Ubiquitous telecommunication systems (not delay, this being a precondition for any effective only available at the main urban centres) will investment programmes.

20 SEA TRANSPORT There will be a network of ports along the Baltic coast with frequent shipping services and well– developed multi-modal links to the hinterland, including neighbouring countries. Ferryboat links across the Baltic Sea will be particularly strengthened in the south-eastern part. Including the ports of Saβnitz, Rostock, Szczecin/ Swinoujscie, Gdansk/ Gdynia, Kaliningrad, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn and St. Petersburg, with a growing number of links across the Baltic Sea towards Nordic countries and Germany. Ferryboat links will be mostly for passengers and road vehicles. New railway ferryboat links, if economically viable, will also link Sweden (Ystad – Kalmar range) to Gdansk and Klaipeda. Existing ferryboat ports will extend their capacities in accordance with growing cross-Baltic trafﬁ c volumes.

Universal port functions will concentrate at the ports of Lübeck-Travemünde, Kiel, Copenhagen, Århus, Esbjerg, Helsingborg, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Rostock, Szczecin- Swinoujscie, Gdansk, Kaliningrad, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, St. Petersburg. These ports will develop into partners among themselves and for existing universal ports such as Hamburg (as the intercontinental main port).

Short-sea conventional shipping services, including feeder transport to the North Sea ports, will help to minimize land transport needs. Universal ports will therefore be complemented by a larger number of smaller ports. Coastal shipping will expand its share in total national and international transport.

Competition between ports shall be enhanced, but economically not viable port investments shall be avoided.

21 RAILWAYS Improved railway transportation systems shall improved reliability and comfort (for countries provide connections for long distances among in Central and Eastern Europe, in addition speed “European” and “Baltic cities”. This includes needs to be heavily improved). Such regional high-speed long-distance passenger trains along systems will be basically within national networks, selected corridors, which interlink with the but some of them will interlink across borders, corresponding network for the Western Europe e.g. Tallinn – St. Petersburg; Kaliningrad – Kaunas – via Berlin and Hamburg. They will also be trunk Vilnius – Minsk; Berlin – Szczecin – Gdansk – lines for international cargo trains. Such network Kaliningrad – Kaunas – Vilnius – Minsk. with improved travel speed and quality can only be implemented over a long period, and this Major missing links shall be eliminated. This refers process will not be completed until 2010. to high-speed links (see above) for which partially new alignments must be built. A fi xed link across Main universal and ferryboat ports shall be the Öresund (motorway and railway) shall be integrated with the railway network to facilitate built, the economic and ecological feasibility to rail transport to the hinterlands. establish a fi xed link across the Fehmarn Belt shall be fi nally evaluated. Links between Finland and International high-speed railway lines shall be Russian Karelia/Murmansk shall be established. complemented by a system of regional trains The lower Elbe River shall be crossed by a new where maximum speed is less important than railway bridge.

Main high-speed international railway lines 2010 and beyond

1. Hamburg – Rødby – Copenhagen – Malmö – Stockholm – Sundsvall; with a branch Malmö – Gothenburg (– Oslo) 2. Hamburg – Århus – Frederikshavn (– Oslo) 3. Turku – Helsinki – St. Petersburg – Moscow 4. Tallinn – Riga – Kaunas – Warsaw – Berlin – Hamburg 5. St. Petersburg – Pskov – Daugavpils – Vilnius – Warsaw (to meet corridor no. 4 at Bialystok) 6. Moscow – Minsk – Brest – Warsaw (to meet there corridor no. 4) 7. Klaipeda – Siauliai – Vilnius – Minsk – Gomel (– Kiev) 8. Kaliningrad – Kaunas – Vilnius (to meet corridor no. 7) 9. Gdansk – Warsaw – Prague 10. Szczecin/Swinoujscie – Poznan – Wroclaw – Prague 11. Dresden – Wroclaw – Katowice – Krakow – Rzeszow – Kiev

22 RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION 2010

International high-speed lines Important interregional lines Other lines Ferryboat lines European cities Baltic cities National cities Regional cities Other cities

23 ROADS VASAB 2010 considers some further port The long-distance road network shall include, hinterland corridors to be improved before the among others, the following alignments: year 2010 in order to support sea transport: • Szczecin – Poznan – Wroclaw – Prague Via Baltica (Helsinki – Tallinn – Riga – Kaunas – • Liepaja – Riga (– Vitebsk – Smolensk – Moscow) Warsaw – Berlin) • Ventspils – Riga • Tallinn – Pskov (– Moscow) Via Hanseatica (St. Petersburg – Tartu – Riga – Siauliai – Kaliningrad – Gdansk – Szczecin – additional coast-parallel corridors are included Lübeck) in VASAB 2010 to promote cross-Baltic (link Baltic and European cities along the coastline): TEM (Trans-European Motorway; Oslo – • additional segment Gdansk – Szczecin (and Gothenburg – Karlskrona – Gdansk – Lodz – to Lübeck) Katowice) • Tallinn – St. Petersburg

Szczecin – Wroclaw – Prague the railway corridor Warsaw – Kaunas – Daugavpils – Pskov – St. Petersburg has no Turku – Helsinki – St. Petersburg – Moscow priority in the EU concept until the year 2010. This part of the vision may require more time to Berlin – Warsaw – Minsk – Moscow be implemented; the same applies for the road corridor, with the segment of Kaunas – Pskov. Hamburg – Copenhagen – Malmö – (with a ﬁ xed link across the Öresund with extensions towards INLAND WATERWAYS Oslo resp. Stockholm) Some projects are discussed in Poland (improvement of Warta, Odra, Wisła waterways, Hamburg – Flensburg – Frederikshavn. link to the Boug and further on to the Pripyat in Belarus) and in Finland (northwards from Kotka). Other lines of importance for the BSR will Major improvement projects will be implemented complement these main lines as shown in the for the German network, including the Odra- map. Havel canal. The Polish projects are to be seen in international context (channel Odra – Danube, Regions not directly served by main trans- transit route from Germany to Kaliningrad and regional infrastructure lines, particularly in eastern Belarus). No decisions have been taken, and Latvia, north-eastern Lithuania, northern Belarus, economic viability has not been established yet. shall be connected to these long distance links by regional ones of adequate quality, in order to AIR TRANSPORT support regional development. European and Baltic cities shall be linked among each other by good air links. Remote and sparsely COMPARISON WITH OTHER populated regions (e.g. Arctic region) will be INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT linked to main urban centres by a system of PROGRAMMES regional ﬂ ight connections. Poland intends to The European Union, together with other increase the number of international airports national and international bodies, has established a (including Gdansk, Szczecin and Suwalki). programme for the development of international transport corridors. Main differences shown in The introduction of new cargo “hubs” is one this VASAB 2010 report are as follows: possible option of using former military airports

24 ROAD NETWORK IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION 2010

International roads Regional roads Other roads Ferryboat lines European cities Baltic cities National cities Regional cities Other cities

25 (e.g. Siauliai, Lithuania; Tartu, Estonia; Daugavpils, Sweden), from eastern Denmark to Germany, Latvia). This shall be promoted depending on the from southern Sweden to Mecklenburg, and from result of corresponding feasibility studies. Sweden via Åland Islands to Finland and Estonia, as well as the northern connections between TELECOMMUNICATION Sweden, Finland and Norway shall establish the A functioning system of international and physical conditions for an extended electricity regional communication lines shall support trade. This will help to take advantage of regional regional development and minimise travel needs. potentials for environment-friendly electricity “Information expressways” shall bind the BSR production and of different peak and low demand regions together and link them with Western periods in different countries. Europe and other continents. They will be used not only for business purposes, but also in 7. Energy production relies increasingly such areas as education, science and research, on renewable and environment- environmental protection and rationalisation of friendly sources of energy physical transport. The trans-European glass-fi bre cable system (TEL) shall include all countries of In view of the greenhouse effect, efforts shall the BSR. be made to biologically bind carbon dioxide. An increased production of bioenergy can be PIPELINES pursued on low productivity areas with a high Northern and eastern countries shall be linked amount of nitrate leakage located in the proximity to the North Sea oil gas sources via new sea of cities. Spatial planning of areas suitable for port installations (e.g. Lithuanian Butingé and bioenergy production, combined with integrated Latvian Liepaja, linked to the Lithuanian refi nery environmental and rural policies in these areas, Mazeikiai) and/or new gas pipelines (particularly can make a contribution to local energy systems, from Norwegian gas fi elds in the North Sea while at the same time promoting a sustainable towards Poland and Finland or possibly British gas energy system. Differences in national energy via Denmark). Thereby areas, which are presently supply systems, population density and land use supplied only from Russian gas sources, can require different approaches. diversify their supply. For the location of new power plants, or the ELECTRICITY NETWORK extension or rehabilitation of existing ones, which The Nordic, eastern and western networks will may have negative effects on other countries, be linked together to form one common energy international concertation shall be sought and grid. Transmission lines from Norway towards Environment Impact Assessment according to the Hamburg (via the North Sea), to Denmark (via Espoo Convention shall be prepared.

26 2.3 THE PATCHES: AREAS SUPPORTING DYNAMISM AND QUALITY OF LIFE

The following “specifi c types of areas” will be Due to their isolated location, islands offer discussed here: border areas, islands, coastal zones, particular opportunities to promote concepts cultural landscapes and areas of signifi cant natural relying on local initiative such as recycling value. The goal is to integrate these areas into the communities, where agriculture and the urban overall development process in accordance with sphere form a symbiotic relationship. Islands their specifi c problems and potentials. are a good case to further development of the principle of subsidiarity. 8. Cross-Border co-operation contributes 10. signifi cantly to spatial economic and The coastal zone is planned with social cohesion careful balance between development and protection Border areas will be instrumental to the interchange among nations, including trade, labour The HELCOM Recommendation, adopted by markets, municipal utility services, transport the Ministers of the Environment of the Baltic services, cultural and educational cooperation. Sea States on 8 March 1994, concerning the protection of the coastal strip, is an important There is also an intensive cross-border co- step forward. This recommendation states: “… operation between islands. Existing co-operations Considering that … coastal areas shall be maintained. are systems of great biological richness, variety Potentials for new or more intensive co- and productivity operations shall be utilised. form the habitats of highly specialised and often 9. endangered species of wild fauna and fl ora as well Islands function as a touristic core in as large populations of breeding and migratory the BSR birds Islands are the geographic centre of the BSR, and they have the tradition of being nodes of are landscapes of great natural beauty transport, trade and communication with the BSR and beyond. Future potentials are their touristic are highly important for public recreation attraction, which in many respects is unique in are Europe, and in promoting cross-Baltic cultural a natural resource which is becoming more and educational co-operation. They already are and more scarce…” and shall even intensify their role as spearheads in the search for ways to reconcile environmental “… the signing state representatives recommend protection with local development. to their respective governments: that Tourism shall be geared to specifi c demand the Contracting Parties take all appropriate groups seeking high-quality, environment- measures to ensure the protection of the coastal conscious recreation embedded in a rich cultural strip heritage. Islands shall further develop economic that a generally protected coastal strip therefore structures, which can co-exist and complement be established outside urban areas and existing touristic activities.

27 settlements, the width of which shall be Effective control systems to avoid sea pollution by determined by the nature and landscape values ships shall be introduced (enforcement of safety of the coast, extending at least 100 to 300 regulations, prohibition of spillage, etc.). meters from the mean water line landwards and seawards 11. A Baltic Network of nature and cultural areas is designated and that in this protected coastal strip activities, protected which would permanently change the nature This includes valuable cultural landscapes, and landscape … not be allowed except when landscapes with a high proportion of valuable proved overwhelmingly in the public interest… forests or wetland biotopes, with the integration of nature protection areas. intensive forestry and intensive farming including drainage be restricted More information and harmonisation of concepts across the BSR and beyond is needed. The Nordic that exceptions can be made from the provisions Council of Ministers intends to propose unifi ed in the point above by a land use plan approved criteria. On this basis it would be possible to and sanctioned by an appropriate authority that prepare a common BSR designation of valuable a zone of at least 3 kilometres landwards from cultural landscapes and their respective proposed the mean water line be established as a coastal type of land use. planning zone where major building development and other major permanent changes in nature The aim is to preserve and to improve natural and and landscape be preceded by an appropriate cultural resources throughout the BSR, to reduce land use plan, including environmental impact environmental pollution, to secure environmental assessment, approved at least on the regional capacities of European signifi cance and to achieve level.” (HELCOM Recommendation 15/1 of 8 an environmentally sound use of space. Areas March 1994). still close to nature shall be linked up to form ecologically effective networks, extending up to On the basis of these principles, corresponding and into densely populated industrial regions. national/regional planning guidelines shall be worked out. Ministers of Spatial Planning shall In line with these principles, Poland has proposed seek a common decision on the application of to extend its project “Green Lungs of Poland” such rules. to other countries (Belarus, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine) – thus forming the “Green Lungs of Programmes to reduce sea pollution through Europe”. The original Polish project covers a municipal or industrial waste water shall region in the north-eastern zone of the country become effective, including the introduction totalling about 15% of national territory. In of municipal waste water treatment plants and principle all wetlands should be preserved, fl the control of industrial ef uents. “Hot spots”, especially in those regions where most wetlands fi as identi ed by the HELCOM, shall be reduced have disappeared, some shall be restored, fi rstly in fi signi cantly. Germany, Denmark and southern Sweden.

28 BORDER AREAS WITH SIGNIFICANT POTENTIALS FOR NEW OR MORE INTENSIVE CO-OPERATION 2010

Border areas European cities Baltic cities National cities Regional cities Other cities

29 2.4 THE SYSTEM: COMPREHENSIVE SPATIAL PLANNING IN FUNCTION

The “system” serves to bring about programmes Private and public investors shall be able to base and plans and to promote their implementation. their decisions on highly transparent regional Beyond this purpose, the planning processes and urban development policies. Plans and must respect the values previously discussed. This implementation programmes shall be the result is refl ected in the following visions. of participative procedures, where potentially affected groups, individuals or companies are 12. actively involved in the planning process. Spatial planning contributes to harmonisation and spatial cohesion 14. across borders Spatial planning contributes to the There shall be institutionalised systems to co-ordination of sectoral and regional harmonise national spatial concepts with planning neighbouring countries. National plans shall pay specifi c attention to the international perspective This shall be based on adequate planning fi in order to achieve harmony with concepts legislation as well as quali cation of the mutually agreed for the wider Baltic Sea Region responsible authorities and their staff. and for Europe as a whole. The BSR countries shall dispose of indicative The BSR countries shall implement programmes (framework) national spatial concepts, which to improve the competitiveness of backward are periodically updated (usually at least every regions (spatial cohesion). Criteria for selection 10-15 years). These concepts will be the basis of structural problems in regards of the regions for an improved spatial co-ordination of sectoral will be set up by individual countries. But for the programmes. Spatial development in the BSR purpose of international support programmes, shall be monitored jointly at regular intervals to some uniform criteria shall be defi ned as well, enable decisions on required new actions. taking into consideration such aspects as: low income levels, structural change problems, All countries shall possess a planning legislation, labour market situation, low population density which follows similar standards (though these in conjunction with a weak settlement structure, may be adapted to local conditions). problems of accessibility in conjunction with weak National spatial planning systems shall include transport services, environmental damage coupled three different planning levels: national, regional with poor quality of life and out-migration trends. and local (municipal). The institutional structure Sectoral programmes for selected spatial policy depends – among other factors – on the size and areas shall act in a concerted and consistently population density of the respective country. So, focused manner. additional levels may exist if appropriate. 13. Spatial planning is based on the There shall be systems to evaluate and to control principles of subsidiarity, participation local development plans for their consistency and transparency with regional concepts (particularly in the fi elds of transport and energy infrastructure, Urban, regional, and national planning decisions nature protection, recreation and tourism). shall be taken at the lowest possible level Regional concepts shall be established taking (subsidiarity). This is in accordance with the local development ideas into consideration principles of freedom and democracy. It is also (simultaneous bottom-up-top-down or counter- expected to improve the quality of decisions. current system). A similar system shall exist between national and regional planning.

30 Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea 2010

Towards a Framework for Spatial Development in the Baltic Sea Region

The report was presented at the third Conference of Ministers for Spatial Planning and Development held on 7-8 December 1994 in Tallinn, Estonia.

This publication is based on the report printed in Denmark, November 1996, ﬁ rst edition, second issue. Selection of relevant parts of the report is made by VASAB Secretariat.

Design: “DUE” LTD Layout: “E FORMA” LTD

Further information and distribution:

VASAB Secretariat Elizabetes Street 19, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia Telephone: +371 67350630 Fax: +371 67350626 E-mail address: [email protected] Twitter: @VASAB_org www.vasab.org

Printed in Latvia on environmentally friendly paper certiﬁ ed by FSC, September 2014