Enhancing SEA effectiveness: lessons learnt from Austrian experiences in spatial planning

Macintosh, Andrew

doi:10.3152/146155110x12772982841168

Cited by 59 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The environmental information can also be explicitly used as a reference during deliberations and discussions between decisionmakers, stakeholders, and the public in order to identify interests related to the plan and assess their environmental effects. SEA thus has the potential to facilitate a communicative process in which aspects of values, power, and interests are addressed (see Stoeglehner, 2010). Although this form of effectiveness has procedural as well as substantive aspects to it, here we are mainly interested in the latter (i.e.…”

Section: Support An Informed Decision-making Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the substantive effectiveness of SEA: Towards a better understanding

Doren

Driessen

Schijf

et al. 2013

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

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a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oEvaluating the substantive effectiveness of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is vital in order to know to what extent the tool fulfills its purposes and produces expected results. However, the studies that have evaluated the substantive effectiveness of SEA produce varying outcomes as regards the tool's contribution to decision-making and have used a variety of approaches to appraise its effectiveness. The aim of this article is to discuss the theoretical concept of SEA substantive effectiveness and to present a new approach that can be applied for evaluation studies. The SEA effectiveness evaluation framework that will be presented is composed of concepts of, and approaches to, SEA effectiveness derived from SEA literature and planning theory. Lessons for evaluation can be learned from planning theory in particular, given its long history of analyzing and understanding how sources of information and decisions affect (subsequent) decision-making. Key concepts of this new approach are 'conformance' and 'performance'. In addition, this article presents a systematic overview of process and context factors that can explain SEA effectiveness, derived from SEA literature. To illustrate the practical value of our framework for the assessment and understanding of substantive effectiveness of SEA, three Dutch SEA case studies are examined. The case studies have confirmed the usefulness of the SEA effectiveness assessment framework. The framework proved helpful in order to describe the cumulative influence of the three SEAs on decision-making and the ultimate plan.

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Section: Support An Informed Decision-making Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the substantive effectiveness of SEA: Towards a better understanding

Doren

Driessen

Schijf

et al. 2013

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

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“…In planning processes, decisions are taking place at least at three different levels, which can be explained by the types of alternatives included in the planning process [24]: System alternatives: choice of demand, size of projects, density, technological networks etc. ; Site alternatives: choice of sites for projects; and Technical alternatives: choice of technical implementation of a project on a given site.…”

Section: Discussion Of the Elas Applicabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability appraisal of residential energy demand and supply - a life cycle approach including heating, electricity, embodied energy and mobility

Stoeglehner

Baaske²,

Mitter

et al. 2014

Energ Sustain Soc

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This paper introduces the concepts, methods and the implementation of a calculator for the energetic long term analysis of residential settlement structures (ELAS). The freely available online tool addresses, on the one hand, the complexity of the environmental impacts of buildings and settlements including embodied energy and on the other hand, the mobility of the inhabitants and the necessity to provide ecological and socio-economic valuation on the base of a coherent data set. Regarding the complexity of ecological impacts, housing was represented as a life cycle network, combining the life cycles of energy provision as well as buildings and infrastructure depending on the location and supply structure of the settlement. Comprehensive inventories for these different aspects were included. They were then used to evaluate the whole system of activity linked to buildings and settlements with three different ecological valuation methods and then coupled with a socio-economic appraisal. With the ELAS calculator, a status quo analysis for existing settlements can be carried out, as well as planning alternatives can be assessed which include new developments, the renovation of buildings in the settlement, the change of energy supplies as well as the demolition of settlements with reconstruction on the same or a different site.

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“…It also has the capacity to address complex issues of cumulative effects and regional sustainability (Arce & Gullón 2000;Nilsson & Dalkmann 2001;Retief 2007;White & Noble 2013) while also enhancing social learning (Sinclair et al 2009;Stoeglehner 2010), which is perhaps why more developing countries are adopting it. In order for SEA to progress in a country like Namibia, it is useful to compare early SEA practice with internationally established best practices and at the same time look at how environmental governance and implementation context may affect it.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First steps toward best practice SEA in a developing nation: lessons from the central Namib uranium rush SEA

Olagunju

Gunn

2014

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

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The intent of this study is to contribute to the discussion of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) best practice based on experience gained in a recent SEA initiative: the central Namib (Namibia) uranium rush SEA. We evaluate this SEA process against internationally established characteristics of 'best practice' SEA to improve and strengthen future practice in Namibia. The study draws primarily on the final assessment report as well as inputs from six informants involved in the assessment. The results reveal some elements of good practice as well as areas for improvement, and in particular, the need for improved baseline data collection; adequate consideration of alternatives; committing to preferred scenario/options; enforceability; and a more robust institutional capacity. We offer insight into how consideration of these factors may help to strengthen SEA practice in Namibia. Overall, the SEA may not represent a 'best practice' example according to international standards, but it does suggest a potentially bright future for SEA practice in Namibia.

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Enhancing SEA effectiveness: lessons learnt from Austrian experiences in spatial planning

Cited by 59 publications

References 47 publications

Evaluating the substantive effectiveness of SEA: Towards a better understanding

Evaluating the substantive effectiveness of SEA: Towards a better understanding

Sustainability appraisal of residential energy demand and supply - a life cycle approach including heating, electricity, embodied energy and mobility

First steps toward best practice SEA in a developing nation: lessons from the central Namib uranium rush SEA

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