Ad hoc Expert Group on Spatial Planning (2015-2019)

Chair: Germany   

Space is a limited resource and subject to a variety of different usage demands. This applies especially to the Alps. To coordinate these demands in a sustainable way is a key and inter-sectoral task that must be considered across country borders. Therefore the Protocol “Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development” of the Alpine Convention addresses this theme. A strong and committed cross-sectoral approach is needed to tackle the growing number of cross-cutting issues in spatial development and to strengthen the sustainable development of the Alpine space.  

In order to initiate new dynamics for spatial planning in the Alpine area, in 2015-2016 in the framework of the German Presidency, the expert group “Spatial Planning” was established. The group organised a stakeholder conference on Alpine spatial development and a conference of high level representatives of the Ministries in charge of spatial planning in the Alpine states. The Ministers in charge of spatial planning of the Alpine states adopted in 2016 the hence resulting Declaration on Sustainable Spatial Development in the Alps (available in German, French, Italian and Slovenian) in which they recognise that new territorial issues have emerged or gained importance since the adoption of the “Protocol on Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development”. These issues largely overlap with the priorities of the Multi-Annual Work Programme of the Alpine Conference for the period 2017-2022.  

The XIV Alpine Conference welcomed the Declaration on Sustainable Spatial Development in the Alps and invited the Contracting Parties and Observers to continue to cooperate actively within the Ad hoc Expert Group on Spatial Planning.  

The mandate for the 2016-2019 period focused on the development of common scenarios for the future spatial development of the Alpine space through the application and supervision of the research project "Alps2050 – Common spatial perspectives for the Alpine area. Towards a common vision" in the framework of the ESPON programme.