Introduction to the Conference Theme Georgia Giannakourou, Associate Professor, University of Athens International Conference “Rethinking Planning Law in the Crisis Era: New Scope, New Tools, New Challenges” Platform of Experts in Planning Law - Postgraduate Program “State and Public Policy” of Athens University Athens, 17 & 18 October 2013

2 I. The economic crisis: a changing context for planning? Despite the broad variety of planning traditions worldwide, there exists a general consensus -at least in the academic circles- that statutory planning and planning law are currently in a face of transition The globalisation of the economy, the growing complexity of social phenomena, the fluidity of location behaviours and the rapid acceleration of change have transformed the context (economic, social, political and, finally, intellectual) within which conventional planning and planning law operated for several decades In several countries, the situation has been aggravated after the crisis

3 The main effects of the crisis on planning  Economic recession and de- growth context  Government downsizing and reduction of public expenditures  More aggressive economic policies and interventions that question the previously, hegemonic, discourse of sustainable development  Urban decline as economic activities stall  Cancellation of many development projects  Increasing privatization of planning powers and planning services  Primacy of business-led development projects (project plans) instead of comprehensive planning policies  Redefinition of planning objectives  Primacy of pro-growth strategies  Retreat of broader sustainability goals and quality of life issues

4 ΙΙ. Critical questions How planning can respond to the crisis? Contingency measures or structural planning reforms? Do we need a new intellectual agenda for planning? Is there a new role for statutory land-use planning in changing conditions? Reform and modernization of planning law: necessary and feasible?

5 III. Rethinking planning law in changing conditions: Themes for comparative discussion

6 A) Shifts in the role and scope of planning: “pro-active” versus “re-active” planning? Conventional tasks Traditional planning mostly turned on spatial ordering Main mechanisms: Zoning techniques and maps Focus of planning on controlling development New tasks New planning mostly turned to spatial development Main mechanisms: Indicative guidance for development and performance guidelines and standards Focus of planning on enabling development

7 B) Shifts in Planning Tools: “Softer” versus “Harder” Planning? Traditional Planning Tools Land-use plans, zoning ordinances and building regulations Abstract, and often static, rules for development and construction, of legally-binding character Departures from plans not easily provided or implemented Regulatory planning not sufficiently linked to land-use management Major problems  Non-efficient processes (lengthy and costly processes of approval, revision and implementation)  Low Performance  Difficulties to cope with changes in economy and society  Loss of confidence in planning capacities and its adaptive efficiency

8 C) Shifts in planning governance Old features Many levels of planning corresponding largely to different government levels Overlapping jurisdictions and policies Consistency problems Confusion and lack of legal certainty Current trends  Re-engineer the relations between planning authorities at different levels  Two waves of changes:  a) Centralization (or re- centralization) of planning powers in order to ensure central control over projects of national significance  b) New types of decentralization policies under the form of a pro- market “localism”

9 Thank you for your attention