SEA IN THE CONTEXT OF LANDTUSE PLANNING

Chapter 8 FindingsThe aim of the research is to contribute to the knowledge of the application of the EUdirective 2001/42/EC by giving an account of a review of the introduction of the directive tonational planning systems in three countries. The basic assumption for the research is thatthere are substantial differences in the way that the SEA directive is introduced in differentcountries, and that those differences are dependant upon the planning context to which thedirective is introduced nationally. Furthermore, it is assumed that the international SEAdiscoursehas had an influential role in how the directive has been interpreted nationally andthat an enhanced knowledge of planning and the planning theory can contribute to anunderstanding of the implementation of the directive. In order to examine thosesuppositions, the introduction of the directive to national planning systems in three countries;Sweden, Iceland and England have been examined as a part of the research. Furthermore thecontents of the SEA directive 2001/42/EC have been reviewed as well as academic literatureon SEA with special focus on the expectation towards SEA, notions of the role of SEA andthe relation to planning theory. In this concluding chapter the findings of the researchwill be discussed and conclusions presented. Furthermore, lessons learned during the researchprocess will be presented, as well as challenges encountered during the research and finallythe relevance for future studies are identified.8.1 The role and purpose of SEA - findings from a review of the directive2001/42/EC, academic literature and national introductionWith the introduction of the directive 2001/42/EC an interpretation has been given of thepurpose and the main steps of SEA. The aims of conducting strategic environmentalassessment as expressed in the SEA directive is on two levels; i.e. on one hand theencompassing wider goal of promoting sustainable development and on the other, integratingenvironmental consideration in decision-making. The directive presents the instrumentalsteps of the SEA process. The way that the procedural steps introduced in the directive leadto the overall objectives of the directive is however not explicit. The emphasis on theprocedural aspects of SEA in the directive matches furthermore the methodological ratherthan conceptual focus of the early attempts of promoting SEA, “addressing ‘how’ before havingclarified ‘why’” (Bina 2003). With this respect the expectations illustrated in the SEA directiveas to the possible achievements of its application are relatively unassuming in comparison tomuch of the literature debate and relies on the existing planning tools (i.e. plans andprogrammes) for its implementation. The focus on the process contradicts furthermore therecommendations made by Sheate et al (2001) for successful SEA introduction; that legalobligations should be prescriptive in terms of outcomes, rather than in procedure andmethodology. In that way the directive makes clear reference to the existing planning systemand does not give SEA an independent identity as an instrument for environmental change,113