The online seminar debates how other countries in Europe work with territorial perspectives in strategic development planning at the national and regional levels, and it was organised in the framework of the ESPON programme, which aims to strengthen regional development and territorial cooperation in Europe. 

Approximately fifty officials from the Swedish regional and national authorities, as well as regional development officials, participated in the event that started with a brief introduction to the goals and purpose of ESPON.

Then Mikael Forsberg from the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure opened the seminar by emphasising the importance of strategic planning in supporting sustainable regional development.

Lukas Smas and Peter Schmitt from Stockholm University presented evidence and results from the ESPON project COMPASS, a comparative analysis of 32 European planning systems.

The next presentation was an example from Norway, Regional Plan for Land Use and Transport in Oslo and Akershus, presented by Hege Arnesen from Akershus County Council and Lise Weltzin from Oslo Municipality. 

The seminar concluded with reflections and discussions.

You can watch the full event on our Youtube Channel and find below the presentations of the event.

You can also check our website and learn more about the ESPON COMPASS project Comparative Analysis of Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning Systems in Europe | ESPON