Strategic Environmental Assessment Methodology Research Articles

Strategic Environmental Assessment in Latin America: A methodological proposal for urban planning in the Metropolitan Area of Concepción (Chile)

This work describes a methodology for Strategic Environmental Assessment of urban areas in Latin America based on the recently approved European Planning Directive, and applies it to the Metropolitan Area of Concepción (Chile). The method is based on the Land Suitability Index (LSI), a cartographic GIS-based index originally developed for the region of Barcelona (Spain) and aimed at determining the suitability of each point in a region for urban development, considering three sub-indexes: (i) Naturalness, (ii) Ecological Connectivity and (iii) Natural Risk. Using the LSI we evaluated the already approved urban plans of the municipalities in the region, considering two scenarios: the initial land use or baseline scenario (S0) and the designated land use or planned scenario (S1). The results show that overall the planned scenario will result in a loss of around 16% of naturalness, with particularly negative effects on brushwood and wetland areas. Connectivity will decrease by around 17%, and urban areas exposed to many types of natural risks will increase considerably, from approximately 49% to 92% of the total urban surface. Finally the LSI shows that around 252ha are suitable for new urbanization in the extension area. This corresponds to around 0.7% of the total extension area (37.381ha), which represents 12% of the region (271.398ha). We propose this methodology can be a valuable contribution to the design of Strategic Environmental Assessment applications and indicators for land planning in Latin America.

Development of a Methodology for Strategic Environmental Assessment: Application to the Assessment of Golf Course Installation Policy in Taiwan

Some countries, including Taiwan, have adopted strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to assess and modify proposed policies, plans, and programs (PPPs) in the planning phase for pursuing sustainable development. However, there were only some sketchy steps focusing on policy assessment in the system of Taiwan. This study aims to develop a methodology for SEA in Taiwan to enhance the effectiveness associated with PPPs. The proposed methodology comprises an SEA procedure involving PPP management and assessment in various phases, a sustainable assessment framework, and an SEA management system. The SEA procedure is devised based on the theoretical considerations by systems thinking and the regulative requirements in Taiwan. The positive and negative impacts on ecology, society, and economy are simultaneously considered in the planning (including policy generation and evaluation), implementation, and control phases of the procedure. This study used the analytic hierarchy process, Delphi technique, and systems analysis to develop a sustainable assessment framework. An SEA management system was built based on geographic information system software to process spatial, attribute, and satellite image data during the assessment procedure. The proposed methodology was applied in the SEA of golf course installation policy in 2001 as a case study, which was the first SEA in Taiwan. Most of the 82 existing golf courses in 2001 were installed on slope lands and caused a serious ecological impact. Assessment results indicated that 15 future golf courses installed on marginal lands (including buffer zones, remedied lands, and wastelands) were acceptable because the comprehensive environmental (ecological, social, and economic) assessment value was better based on environmental characteristics and management regulations of Taiwan. The SEA procedure in the planning phase for this policy was completed but the implementation phase of this policy was not begun because the related legislation procedure could not be arranged due to a few senators' resistance. A self-review of the control phase was carried out in 2006 using this methodology. Installation permits for 12 courses on slope lands were terminated after 2001 and then 27 future courses could be installed on marginal lands. The assessment value of this policy using the data on ecological, social, and economic conditions from 2006 was higher than that using the data from 2001. The analytical results illustrate that the proposed methodology can be used to effectively and efficiently assist the related authorities for SEA.

Strategic environmental assessment in the Trans-Pennine Corridor

The paper describes the work of the Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Trans-Pennine Corridor undertaken for the Regions in Partnership Steering Group in 1998–89.The study had two purposes: (a) to contribute to the developing body of knowledge on best practice on strategic environmental assessment designed to assess improvements to the European Commission's Trans-European Transport Networks; and (b) a multi-modal land-use and transport study designed to lead to a preferred environmental and development strategy for the Trans-Pennine corridor. The study was intended to be strategic, both in its identification of options and in its assessment of impacts. It was to look forward over a 25-year planning period, and the focus was to be on long-distance movements and the interactions between these and local movements. The paper explains the study process. The objectives of the environmental and development strategy are set out, and the appraisal framework outlined. The three key appraisal tools—the transport model, the land-use model, and the geographic information system—are then explained. The forecasts of travel demand for the year 2021 are next presented. These forecasts form the basis for the development and appraisal of ten land-use, environmental and transport options. The paper briefly describes the options, and presents results in terms of impacts on travel, land-use and the environment. While the study successfully demonstrated a methodology for strategic environmental assessment, further work on the land-use and transport strategy is required before firm conclusions can be drawn and the broad outline strategy can be converted into specific policies or plans. Nevertheless, the results presented here show a promising approach to developing an environmental and development strategy for the corridor within the policy framework provided by the Government's Integrated Transport Policy.

Strategic environmental assessment in the Trans-Pennine Corridor

The paper describes the work of the Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Trans-Pennine Corridor undertaken for the Regions in Partnership Steering Group in 1998–89.The study had two purposes: (a) to contribute to the developing body of knowledge on best practice on strategic environmental assessment designed to assess improvements to the European Commission's Trans-European Transport Networks; and (b) a multi-modal land-use and transport study designed to lead to a preferred environmental and development strategy for the Trans-Pennine corridor. The study was intended to be strategic, both in its identification of options and in its assessment of impacts. It was to look forward over a 25-year planning period, and the focus was to be on long-distance movements and the interactions between these and local movements. The paper explains the study process. The objectives of the environmental and development strategy are set out, and the appraisal framework outlined. The three key appraisal tools—the transport model, the land-use model, and the geographic information system—are then explained. The forecasts of travel demand for the year 2021 are next presented. These forecasts form the basis for the development and appraisal of ten land-use, environmental and transport options. The paper briefly describes the options, and presents results in terms of impacts on travel, land-use and the environment. While the study successfully demonstrated a methodology for strategic environmental assessment, further work on the land-use and transport strategy is required before firm conclusions can be drawn and the broad outline strategy can be converted into specific policies or plans. Nevertheless, the results presented here show a promising approach to developing an environmental and development strategy for the corridor within the policy framework provided by the Government's Integrated Transport Policy.

Implementation of SEA in Flanders: Attitudes of key stakeholders and a user-friendly methodology

The EIA Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, was commissioned by the Ministry of the Flemish Community to develop user-friendly methodology for strategic environmental assessment (SEA). One component of this study is a survey of individuals involved in the Flemish environmental impact assessment process. Its most important result is the very low percentage of respondents not in favour of SEA and the lack of awareness of many administrators of the environmental consequences of their decisions, at the level of policies, plans, and programs. The majority of respondents are in favor of screening procedures in collaboration with specialists, an examination of alternatives, public participation, and quality control. Proposals for an SEA system for Flanders and the challenges facing its implementation in the future are discussed. Flexibility is a major feature of the proposed SEA system. Administrative services can choose between an integration of SEA principles into existing planning procedures or an introduction of a separate SEA procedure.