SEA IN THE CONTEXT OF LANDTUSE PLANNING

my studies and work in the area as an EIA-official and researcher in the field of planning andEIA, my main research interest is principally centred on the relation between spatial planning,environmental initiatives and the introduction of the SEA directive. Other aspects that Iconsidered to interesting and influenced the research approach were the following:SEA's relation to spatial planningIn relation to the fact that SEA is essentially linked to the existing planning instruments, theknowledge and understanding of spatial planning practice is of prime relevance. This includesthe issues addressed in planning, the processes to be followed and the decision-making, aswell as existing experiences of the integrating environmental initiatives in spatial planning.What experiences have been included in the SEA methodology and what experiences havebeen overlooked?The ideological basis of the SEA directiveAnother area of interest is the ideological conceptions that are behind and integrated in theSEA directive, i.e. the idea that it is possible to prescribe an instrument that shall beintroduced to existing processes and will lead to improved environmental and better decisionmakingregardless of the context to which it is introduced? When studied in relation to itsapplication to the spatial planning processes, what ideas does the directive reflect of thepotential of planning as a tool for managing future development and change?The status of comprehensive planning as a tool for environmental integrationThe national planning systems can be argued to be ‘put to the test’ by the introduction of theSEA directive. SEA, as many of environmental initiatives introduced in recent years, is aregulatory approach to environmental integration, a requirement attached to legislation orregulations. Is there a risk that the SEA requirements may go astray in the recent trends inplanning practice, moving away from statutory planning, directed towards streamlining theplanning process?The potential of SEA as a tool for changeFinally, an important aspect that would be interesting to explore is the way that spatialplanning has changed as a result of the environmental initiatives. Equally, will theimplementation of the directive affect spatial planning; change existing planning structure andpractice, or will the introduction of the directive facilitate, or even legitimate, existingplanning practices? This will however not be addressed within the frame of this thesis.1.4 MethodologyThe research is based upon qualitative research methods. The analytical framework used forthe research is case study methodology, identifying the introduction of the SEA directive intothe national planning framework in three countries; Sweden, Iceland and England as casestudy objects. The results are compared and analysed in the context of planning theory andexisting literature on Environmental Assessment. The empirical basis is largely based upondocument analysis. This has been supplemented by direct observations and complementaryinterviews. The main reason for choosing qualitative research methods is that they are wellsuited for research that is based upon a holistic approach, “…which enables the researcher to giveattention to interdependencies, complexities and context” (Patton 1990), which in turn makes itpossible to adjust the research focus and include new variables as new information emerges.Case-study approachThe qualitative inquiry is based upon a case study approach, where the three countries studied;Sweden, Iceland and England, are examined with regard to the introduction of the EU12