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What have we discovered about this theme? |
General Findings
Sustainable development is an EU objective. Longer term planning ensures that activity and development decisions at the small town level fit in to a ‘bigger picture’. Decisions are based on a broad inward-looking perspective that includes examining a town’s physical and sociological ability to grow. They are also informed by outward-looking considerations such as changes to the regional economy, technological advancements, international demographics and the global environment. Managing activities and development and steering them in the right direction for the benefit of all is challenging. It requires a significant amount of resources and effort from the very outset. However, making decisions merely on a project-by-project basis often offers no keys to success in a long-term perspective. Instead, it can actually lead to more or bigger challenges in the future.
A strategic planning approach requires involvement from local stakeholders including residents, politicians, business owners, and young people. If a town can see how and where it might develop in the future, it will be better placed to protect its sense of belonging, sense of identity, natural environmental historic and cultural assets of the town.
Building quality structures and spaces creates urban and environmental assets and increases pride and belonging (see ‘Identity and Culture’ and ‘Community Wellbeing’ components) .
The ultimate success in the realisation of the vision is not solely dependent on the amount of money available to a town. It depends more on the creativity of the town itself in adapting the strategy model into real-live development and other activities. It also requires aligning human/social, financial/economic, and natural resources towards a shared vision for a sustainable future.
The theory to a strategic planning approach foresees four essential steps (see also ‘Whole Town Strategy’ section):
- Local situation stocktake/baseline study/SWOT analysis
- Setting broad vision and objectives for the future
- Setting strategy options, planning and prioritising actions
- Monitoring and evaluation process.
Long term planning can allow for the sustainable growth elements including:
- Transport corridors;
- Economic development initiatives;
- Land use policies;
- Open space designations and protection
- Natural and community resource conservation
- Open space designations and protection.
Although long-term plans should give clear dir e ction, there is still a requirement for a measure of flexibility and fluidity to cope positively with changing circumstances.
Essential Aspects
A long-term or strategic planning approach is an efficient and more advisable choice in addressing small expanding towns’ needs. One of the most difficult aspects to address with regards to long-term planning is that it requires planning to be (a) aspirational as well as regulatory and (b) flexible rather than rigid. A long-term plan is different than a land-use plan or economic plan, for example. It is a conceptual, abstract plan that sets out the overarching direction for future planning decisions. A long-term plan informs the more tangible plans of today and serves as a shared vision for all into the future.
‘Planning’ is a seen as a form of governance (see ‘Partnership and Governance’ component). Statutory planning services and policies are laid out by government and are heavily influenced by politics. The most fundamental aspect of a successful long-term planning is that it must look beyond the life of a political term. It should allow a comprehensive approach that can lead to consistent decision-making in the face of changing political mandates. This aspect is what makes long-term planning more appropriate for serving the interests of the whole community. By thinking ahead 20 to 50 years, planners begin to examine ‘generational’ considerations by allowing us to shape the world not only for our children, but our children’s children. By setting out a vision for the future, it is possible to identify opportunities and changes that can and should be made today.
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