The Enticement of the ESDP: Motivating (Future) Planners to Engage with EU Policies

Journal article (2020)

Authors

E. Purkarthofer Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment
Research Group
Spatial Planning and Strategy (Architecture and the Built Environment) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 E. Purkarthofer
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24306/TrAESOP.2020.02.005
Territorial cohesion Storytelling European spatial planning Planning education Territorial Agenda
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Department

Urbanism

Research Group

Spatial Planning and Strategy

Abstract

The impact of European policies strongly depends on their interpretation and application by domestic actors. This is especially true in fields such as European spatial planning and development, which are characterised by informal agreements and fragmented competences. Consequently, EU policies only gain importance if domestic actors consider them relevant and establish links to their respective areas of influence. The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) is often regarded as a success story in European spatial planning and is relatively well known among planners across Europe. The Territorial Agenda documents, often considered successors to the ESDP, have not been met with the same enthusiasm and interest. This contribution uses the concept of storytelling to explain why the ESDP was at least partly successful in appealing to planners. Moreover, it discusses the role and importance of planning education in fostering interest in European spatial development.