Informal Planning in Depopulating Rural Areas

Abstract

Abstract:Planning research has increasingly recognised that planning in depopulating areas differs from planning in growth areas. Several studies have sought to identify planning theories and strategies that are capable of meeting the challenges presented by depopulating areas. However, most of these studies and strategies are based on dense urban environments. This paper seeks to add to planning theory and practice by focusing on informal planning practices in rural depopulating areas. Starting from a resource-based view, the paper introduces an analytical framework that allows a systematic examination of the resources that are generated through informal planning practices in such areas.Key words: Planning, informality, informal planning, resource-based approach, resource-based theory Sammanfattning: Planeringslitteraturen har nyligen börjat uppmärksamma att planering i områden med långvarig befolkningsminskning skiljer sig från den planering som äger rum i tillväxtområden. Flera studier har försökt utveckla planeringsteori och planeringsstrategier som kan möta de utmaningar som uppstår i områden med långvarig befolkningsminskning. De flesta av dessa studier, teorier och strategier utgår emellertid från täta, urbana miljöer. Denna artikel syftar därför till att lämna ett planeringsteoretiskt bidrag genom att fokusera på informell planering i landsbygdsområden som genomgår en långvarig befolkningsminskning. Med utgångspunkt i ett resursbaserat perspektiv introduceras ett analysschema som möjliggör en systematisk undersökning av de resurser som genereras genom informella planeringsinitiativ i sådana områden. Sökord: Planering, informalitet, informell planering, resursbaserat perspektiv, resursbaserad teoriOverzicht: Planologisch onderzoek laat in toenemende mate zien dat planning in krimpgebieden wezenlijk verschilt van planning in groeigebieden. Verschillende studies hebben geprobeerd planningstheorieën en strategieën te identificeren, die aansluiten bij uitdagingen waar krimpende regio's mee te maken hebben. Echter, de meeste van deze studies en strategieën zijn gericht op een stedelijke omgeving met een hoge bebouwingsdichtheid. Dit artikel richt zich op informele planningspraktijken, in rurale krimpgebieden; en heeft als doel om vanuit dat perspectief een bijdrage te leveren aan planningstheorie en strategieën. Met de resource-based benadering als uitgangspunt, introduceren wij een analytisch raamwerk waarmee op een systematisch wijze hulpbronnen, gegenereerd door informele planningspraktijken, kunnen worden geanalyseerd in krimpende regio's.Trefworden: Planning, informaliteit, informele planning, resource-based benadering, resourcebased theorie

Evaluation of Formal and Informal Spatial Coastal Area Planning Process in Baltic Sea Region

“…Two resource groups are important in the planning process, namely, human resources and organizational resources. Their significance primarily consists of two facets: first, that they utilize existing knowledge; and second, that they create legitimacy and feelings of pride and belonging in the local community [ 3 , 8 ]. Collaboration can take place in a formal, semi-formal, and informal way, which means that spatial planning also has these forms of collaboration.…”

“…Formal planning also provides formal planning tools, e.g., a long-term comprehensive plan for the local government territory (municipality). In the context of planning, Syssner and Meijer [ 3 ] assume that formal planning processes contain elements of informality. The concept of formal planning can be used to refer to the kind of planning that is government-led and shaped mainly by formal structures and through formal negotiation.…”

The Process of Informal Spatial Planning: A Literature Overview

“…It is essential to analyse the literature, which describes informal planning, and to understand the role of tools and stakeholders, who influence spatial planning. The outcome of this analysis will help formulate the characteristics of informal spatial planning: − Informal planning process or methods should not replace the existing spatial planning practice of that region, but informal planning should "facilitate formal process" of spatial planning (Reimer et al, 2014;Blotevogel et al, 2014;Briassoulis, 1997;Leibenath et al, 2016;McFarlane et al, 2012;Needham, 2005;Scholl, 2017); − Informal planning adds "flexibility" in the spatial planning process, which allows the planners to focus on a specific problem (Reimer et al, 2014;Getimis & Giannakourou, 2014;Getimis et al, 2014;Newman & Thornley, 1996;Mäntysalo et al, 2015); − Informal spatial planning can help in achieving matured results with the help of "discourses" (Reimer et al, 2014;Getimis & Giannakourou, 2014;North, n.d.;Certomà, 2017;Sartorio, 2005;Syssner & Meijer, 2017;Papamichail & Perić, 2017;Carmona, 2017;Leibenath et al, 2016;Roy, 2009); − Informal planning could also be an "ad hoc" system that is used whenever needed (Blotevogel et al, 2014;Getimis & Giannakourou, 2014;Briassoulis, 1997;Reimer, 2013;Assche et al, 2012); − Informal spatial planning requires a degree of "innovation" to continuously face the challenges of planning (Reimer et al, 2014;Getimis et al, 2014;Roy, 2009;Certomà, 2017;Scholl, 2017); − Informal planning method is a "non-traditional method" of spatial planning, which is not influenced by hierarchy culture of planning…”

Broadening the Scope of Spatial Planning: Making a Case for Informality in the Netherlands

“…1 In this new era, civil society should take policy initiatives and assume responsibility for implementing them, and the government was to participate only minimally in the process, if at all. Making the civil society responsible for solving its own problems, with only minimal support from the government (Syssner and Meijer 2017;van der Steen et al 2015), exemplified an actual change in thinking in the participation culture in Dutch spatial policy.…”