This thesis researches two main aspects: the characteristics of (national) spatial strategies and how they can be transferred, to learn lessons for the next Dutch spatial planning strategy of 2018 (NOVI). Taking the objectives that have been formulated by NOVI in content, process and product as a starting point, a comparative study is made between the spatial strategies of California, Denmark, England, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Oregon. The comparative study leads to two main analyses: six key variables which show the key variations that exist in national spatial strategies in content, process and product; and a matrix which shows location specific innovations. Everything learned in the comparative study is tested in a demonstration in which the characteristics are replicated and applied onto the Dutch context to understand the level of transferability and the dependence on the context. The lessons learned for the research are formulated into a road map for NOVI, offering four recommendations to consider when creating NOVI, alongside a personal design proposal for what NOVI should look like based on the research conducted.