SEA IN THE CONTEXT OF LANDTUSE PLANNING

The development in the interpretations of what SEA actually entails is reflected in the followingdefinitions, from the widely applied definitions of SEA that are very similar to those of EIA, e.g. the earlyand widely quoted definition of SEA by Therivel et al (1992):“SEA is the formalised, systematic and comprehensive process of evaluating the environmentalimpacts of a policy, plan or programme and its alternatives, including the preparation of a writtenreport on the findings of that evaluation, and using the findings in publicly accountable decisionmaking”(Therivel et al 1992).Later definitions included an increased emphasis on the linkages to decision-making and the inclusionof economic and social considerations, e.g. Sadler and Verheem (1996):“SEA is a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed policy,plan or programme initiatives in order to ensure they are fully included and appropriatelyaddressed at the earliest stage of decision making on par with economic and socialconsiderations” (Sadler and Verheem 1996).Partidário and Clark (2000), and Brown and Therivel (2000) present an even broader view of thepurpose of SEA.“Our conceptual definition of SEA is thus a process directed at providing the proponent (duringpolicy formulation) and the decision–maker (at the point of policy approval) with a holisticunderstanding of the environmental and social implications of the policy proposal, expanding thefocus well beyond the issues that were the original driving force for the new policy” (Brown andTherivel 2000:184).The linkages to decision-making and political processes are strengthened further while"distance[ing] themselves from the traditional view of assessing draft proposals, and highlight[ing]numerous stages in planning and decision-making as the focus of the assessment effort" (Bina2003).It can therefore be concluded that the definition of SEA is still a complex question and it can be arguedthat there are two broad perspectives in use, as is illustrated by two and in some what contrastingdefinitions by two leading scholars in the SEA field:”SEA of a proposed policy is an appraisal of the environmental impacts of a policy which is used indecision-making” (Thérivel 1997).“SEA is an instrument that must be adapted to existing decision-making processes. It is morepolitical than technical, and is related to concepts, rather than to activities with geographic andtechnological specifications.” (Partidário 2000).In 2002 International Association of Impact Assessment presented performance criteria for SEA.”A good-quality Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process informs planners, decisionmakers and affected public on the sustainability of strategic decisions, facilitates the search for thebest alternative and ensures a democratic decision making process. This enhances the credibilityof decisions and leads to more cost- and time-effective EA at the project level. For this purpose, agood-quality SEA process:• is integrated• is sustainability-led• is focused• is accountable• is participative• is iterative.”FIGURE 3.1. COMMONLY CITED DEFINITIONS OF SEA30