Coping with uncertainties in integrative spatial planning

Abstract

As a consequence of economic, technological, and sociocultural megatrends,Western countries are increasingly being confronted with large spatial problems. Households and businesses need more space for residential, recreational, and economic activities. An increasing demand for mobility of persons and goods enlarges the action radius and the demand for new transport and communication infrastructure. This demand on space is at the cost of vulnerable ecological functions. Conflicts arise from incom- patibility in land use in and between the different socioeconomic and environmental systems, leading to undesirable social, economic, and environmental impacts. Examples of these are the loss of life and property through river flooding following deforestation, the drainage of wetlands and floodplain embankments, conflicts between housing and economic land use, the loss of biodiversity following the fragmentation of ecological habitats by urbanisation and transport infrastructure, and, ultimately, deterioration in the quality of life