Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Public participation in the Ljubljana Urban Region spatial plan preparation process Sergeja Praper Gulič & Andrej Gulič Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Structure of the presentation Some facts about elaboration of the expert study for the regional spatial plan for the Ljubljana Urban Region and the implemented participatory activities Observations on the connections between regional spatial planning – participatory processes – territorial and social cohesion

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Geographical position of Slovenia and Ljubljana Urban Region in Europe

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France City Municipality of Ljubljana Population Area km 2 Density – inh/km 2 City Municipality of Maribor Population – Area - 41 km 2 Density – inh/km 2 City Municipality of Celje Population Area km 2 Density inh/km 2 City Municipality of Kranj Population Area - 26,3 km 2 Density inh/km 2 City Municipality of Koper Population Area - 13,0 km 2 Density inh/km 2 Ljubljana Urban Region Population Area km 2 Density – 206 inh/km 2 GDP per capita € Podravska Region Population Area km 2 Density – 149 inh/km 2 GDP per capita € Savinjska Region Population Area km 2 Density – 109 inh/km 2 GDP per capita € Gorenjska Region Population Area km 2 Density – 95 inh/km 2 GDP per capita € Obalno-kraška Region Population Area km 2 Density – 105 inh/km 2 GDP per capita €

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Some project related facts The project Elaboration of Expert Study for the Regional Spatial Plan was commissioned by the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region. The study was elaborated by the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia together with the Jožef Stefan Institute, PNZ Consulting and Project Engineering Ltd. and Department of Landscape Architecture at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. A task force group was set up by RDA LUR to monitor and evaluate intermediate and final project results. The project was running from 04/2008 to 03/2010.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Regional spatial plan – the concept

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Some project related facts The main purpose of the project was to prepare a background study for the regional spatial plan of the Ljubljana Urban Region as a first phase of elaboration of the plan. Project activities included: analyses of natural and social characteristics of the region, location study for projects from the Regional Development Programme , scenarios of spatial development, concept and guidelines for spatial development, as well as strategic environmental assessment of the elaborated spatial development concept. The project was funded from the EU Regional Development Fund and cofinanced by 22 out of 26 municipalities forming the Ljubljana Urban Region.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Regional spatial plan – land use

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Participatory activities Forms of inclusion of stakeholders into project activities were interviews, workshops, an interactive website and regular provision of information. Interviews Conducted at the start of the project in 24 of the 26 municipalities forming the Ljubljana Urban Region. Structured interviews referring to development issues of supralocal character experienced by municipalities, as well as to the existing municipal visions, strategies, development programmes, plans and measures. In the large majority of municipalities mayors and members of municipal administrations attended.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Workshops Performed at all stages of background study elaboration. Facilitated events, different methods of work in groups used, tailored to the purpose of single workshops and the invited stakeholders. 5 thematic workshops organized for a wider circle of stakeholders. Topics included for example demography and the settlement system, nature and waters, agriculture and landscape. Participants encouraged to provide feedback on results of analyses, draft scenarios, objectives etc. One scenario evaluation workshop organized for the task force group and representatives of the Regional Development Agency. Participation in workshop and results very good, positive feedback from participants.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Project website Set up at the beginning of the project as a communication and participation tool. Based on registration access to different content made possible – depending on the group to which a user belonged. All project information published on the website in real time: reports, announcements of events, programmes, presentations, accounts of workshop outcomes. Forum established. In the phase of scenario evaluation and strategic environmental assessment of the spatial development concept there was a possibility for users to evaluate, supplement, comment via the website. The use of website by the different stakeholders far below expectations.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Information provision Regular provision of information to the main stakeholder groups, i.e. municipalities, project task force group, Regional Development Agency, performed via . Other forms: presentations to various audiences, lectures.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Some observations on participatory processes Participation during expert study preparation not defined in legislation or other binding documents. Good experience with reference to engagement of stakeholders and feedback obtained made with interviews and workshops. The use of the project website by the stakeholders much below expectations. In the last phases of the expert study we practically “lost” our stakeholders – there was little response from the wider circle of stakeholders to our requests for feedback on scenarios, concept and guidelines, as well as on SEA draft findings. Especially frustrating was the lack of feedback from one of our main stakeholder groups (and co-financers of the study) – the municipalities.

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Regional spatial planning and its participatory processes as an ideal opportunity to enhance territorial and social cohesion? In theory and in principle yes and it is a matter of... An accurate governance framework Political processes and traditions favouring cohesion The role assigned to spatial planning and instruments at its disposal Suitable forms of participation implemented

Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia November 2011 Lyon+Grenoble, France Sergeja Praper Gulič Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia Trnovski pristan 2, p.p. 4717, SI-1127 Ljubljana, Slovenia tel: +386 (0) , fax: +386 (0) Andrej Gulič Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia Trnovski pristan 2, p.p. 4717, SI-1127 Ljubljana, Slovenia tel: +386 (0) , fax: +386 (0)