8^th meeting of the Workshops on the European Landscape Convention

Malmö, Sweden, 8 October 2009

Speech by Inger Linge, Vice-President of the Committee on Sustainable Development - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe

Mr Chairman,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Next year we will be marking the tenth anniversary since the opening for signature of the European Landscape Convention, a major tool for the protection and development of what is truly building blocks of European heritage – our landscapes.

Instigated by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Convention reflects our conviction, indeed our philosophy that landscapes, in all their diversity today – rural, industrial, modern and historic, ordinary and outstanding – represent an integral and indispensable part of our cultural identity, and that there exists an intimate link between the landscape and the well-being. The landscape plays a crucial role in individuals' daily relations with their environment, whether rural or urban, and its preservation, protection and management – all dealt with in the Landscape Convention – are a key component of sustainable territorial development, and a necessary condition for improving the quality of life of our citizens.

Driven by this conviction, the Congress and its Committee on Sustainable Development have put the issues related to landscapes high on their agenda. The importance of the landscape and of the Convention is substantially reflected in the Congress’ integrated approaches to the environment and spatial planning, with an emphasis on sustainable use of space and the search for a balance between the needs of urban and rural areas.

We are currently preparing a report on the landscape as a new dimension of territorial public action, drawing on the practical experience of territorial communities and in particular of the European Network of Local and Regional Authorities for the implementation of the European Landscape Convention (ENELC). The report, which is the Congress’ contribution to the 10^th anniversary of the Convention, will take stock of its application by territorial authorities in Council of Europe member states, analyse the impact of local and regional action with regard to landscapes and assess how authorities in different European countries integrate landscape-related issues into their public policies and regulations.

The Congress also participates in the jury of the European Landscape Prize, which awards local initiatives and those of non-governmental organizations. I am proud to say that the city of Malmö is one of the leading candidates to receive this award this year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me now to focus in somewhat greater detail on the experience of my native country, Sweden, and more particularly the Stockholm Region.

This year is an anniversary year for the protection of landscape in this country. It is 100 years since the first national parks were established in Sweden. In fact, it became the first country in Europe to introduce national parks when the parliament, on May 24^th 1909, made the reservation of land for nine national parks, one of them Ängsö in the archipelago of Stockholm.

The European Landscape Convention defines landscape as “an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”. When planning their cities or regions, local and regional authorities must look at key areas which can be influenced. We immediately think of employment, mobility, air quality, climate change but only sometimes health.

One of the Convention’s features is the key role it assigns to local and regional authorities in landscape protection, management, development and enhancement. Similarly, the importance of landscape and the Convention are reflected in the work of the Congress and its Committee on Sustainable Development: its integrated approaches to the environment, its emphasis on sustainable land use and its quest to balance the demands of the city and rural areas are just some examples.

It is reflected in the European Urban Charter II: Manifesto for a new urbanity, adopted by the Congress in May 2008, which sets out principles for modern urban governance and living. We call on all actors involved to implement the principles of ethical governance, sustainable development and greater solidarity in their public policies, aimed at building a sustainable and environmentally friendly city, developing urban ecology, reducing the ecological footprint of our towns and cities, preserving natural resources and biodiversity, and saving energy. We advocate a denser and more compact city, a city which gives better access for all to public facilities and services. In this context, landscape in the city is indeed a key point for urban planning and development, in our effort to reconcile heritage and modernity, industrial and residential, work and recreation.

Urban planning cannot deliver healthy living by itself, but it can help remove the barriers to better health and well-being. For us in the Congress, it is evident that a healthy urban and spatial planning means planning for the people. We promote the idea that the city is much more than just buildings, streets and open spaces, but a living, breathing organism, the health of which is closely linked to that of its citizens.

In this regard, regional and urban planning in the Stockholm Region and East-Central Sweden implies a comprehensive approach covering all parts of the landscape. The region offers much in the way of cultural and architectural value as well as considerable natural and recreational value. The green structure in the Stockholm Region forms a network of green areas and water. The continuous areas of nature in the vicinity of built-up areas, stretching from the surrounding countryside in towards the regional centre, form what are known as the green wedges. The green wedges bring nature closer to built-up areas and provide large untouched areas for walking, with a diversity of functions and experiences. The green structure is an important part of the region’s identity, cultural heritage and attractiveness.

The region has many attractive aquatic environments in the form of lakes, watercourses and the sea. The coast and the archipelago are popular areas for outdoor recreation, attracting large numbers of visitors. The apparently untouched and undisturbed natural environment in the outer parts of the archipelago is of particularly great value.

The Stockholm Region has one dominant central core, with a concentration of workplaces, higher education, various cultural activities, restaurants and entertainment. The aim is to establish a polycentric urban structure, to relieve the inner city, and to create living sub-regional cores offering a wide selection of workplaces, services and cultural events in sub-centres with the character of “real cities”.

As recommended in the European Urban Charter II of the Congress, which I have mentioned earlier, the urban areas should be planned to be an attractive environment with parks and green areas, for residents, visitors and the business community. Dense urban areas offer good opportunities for satisfying urban living, access to public transport and energy-efficient infrastructure solutions. Increasing the density of the city, and endowing it with the qualities of traditional European cities, is a guiding principle: density, rich variety, public and green spaces.

Indeed, regional planning has been ongoing in the Stockholm Region for almost 60 years. Since 1971, the Stockholm County Council has been the responsible regional planning body. In an international perspective, Swedish municipalities hold a uniquely strong position in the planning system. The municipalities have a planning monopoly and the detailed plan is the legally binding planning instrument. Since the regional plan is only a guideline and not binding for the municipalities’ planning, the municipalities and other actors responsible for the implementation have to be voluntarily involved in its preparation. The planning process for the new regional development plan, RUFS 2010, has introduced an outward-oriented approach. This has to a high degree contributed to a positive reception in the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When Stockholm was founded in the thirteenth century, during the Hanseatic Period, the city was a strategic place for trade in the Baltic Sea Region. Now Stockholm has once again achieved a strategic role as a gateway city in the Baltic Sea Region. There is a need for increased co-operation throughout the entire Baltic Region aiming at developing the area as a whole.

Today, the Stockholm Region has by far the highest population growth in Sweden. During the last 20 years the population has increased by around 350,000 residents, more than the total number of residents of the City of Malmö. We now assume that the population will increase by between 200,000 and 400,000 residents over the next 20 years. A growing population demands more housing, public transportation, roads, educational opportunities, and health services.

The capacity of the transportation network has not kept pace with population growth. The Stockholm Region needs a major expansion of its transport infrastructure. Congestion charges were introduced in the central parts of the Stockholm Region after the elections in 2006. The system made it possible to control congestion and at the same time generate funds for investments in the transportation network.

 

The Region also has to face the challenge of climate change, and takes measures to adapt to its consequences. Global climate change is affecting living conditions around the world. A rise in temperature of only a few degrees may have major impacts on the economy, the social structure, and the ecosystem. When compared with other industrialized nations, Sweden has low carbon dioxide emissions, since a large amount of energy is derived from hydroelectric power and nuclear power. Stockholm has low carbon dioxide emissions compared to the rest of Sweden, due to high urban density with good opportunities for public transport and district heating. A difference from many other countries is that we still experience elevation of the land after the last glacial period 10,000 years ago, which can reduce the risk of flooding.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The experience of the Stockholm County Council shows that local and regional authorities do not have to wait for national governments to act before applying the principles of the European Landscape Convention in their communities. In fact, many municipalities and regions are taking the lead and become the driving force behind innovative initiatives and practices with regard to landscapes. This is an integral part of their overall action for sustainable development of their communities. For example, the implementation of policies for the use of renewable sources of energy will certainly change our landscapes, with the introduction of solar batteries and wind power stations. There are already plenty of examples of such action at local level, and their number is growing.

This is also the case in Sweden. The European Landscape Convention is not yet implemented in the Swedish legislation. However, through practical regional planning in the Stockholm Region, we are already to a large extent working in the spirit of this Convention.

Thank you.