Katana VentraIP

European Spatial Development Perspective

The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) is a document approved by the Informal Council of Ministers of Spatial Planning of European Commission in Potsdam in 1999. It is a legally non-binding document forming a policy framework with 60 policy options for all tiers of administration with a planning responsibility. The strategic aim is to achieve a balanced and sustainable spatial development strategy.

an integrated approach - Not just to look at specific sectors of development activity (e.g. environment, economic development, or transport), but to recognise that they all affect each other;

spatial development - a much wider view of the development, vital for integrative approach;

strategic aspects - interlinked actions to achieve balanced and sustainable territorial development;

indicative views - the responsibility lies with the developed regions and territories to implement the development principals.

Inclusive growth - regional approach to address disparities.

With the aim to provide an integrated, multi-sectoral and indicative strategy for the spatial development, the key ideas of ESDP are:

ESPRID

Interreg

Andreas Faludi, Bas Waterhout: The making of the European spatial development perspective: no masterplan, Routledge, 2002

Potsdam, May 1999

ESDP Report