Scales and associated data — What is enough for SEA needs?

Abstract The question of scale and data needs in SEA is explored, based on the assumption that SEA emerged to address multiple scales, larger perspectives and respond to new development paradigms, which determine new functions and expectations on SEA deliveries. Spatial and temporal scales in SEA are considered. This paper argues that other dimensions in temporal scales, which are crucial for SEA, may need to be considered: the generational time scale (the temporal scale across generations) and the decisional time scale (the temporal scale that is relevant for making strategic decisions). For example, the timing of data analysis in relation to the needs of decision-making at strategic levels is the most critical aspect which, if not met, may make data analysis redundant, waste time and limit the environmental or social benefits of SEA. The concept of SEA in its strategic sense is emphasized, in contrast with the EIA-based SEA concept, and its implications to SEA methodologies are discussed, including the understanding of baseline data needs in strategic contexts. A new lexicon for SEA, in a strategic sense, is suggested to help enhance a strategic culture in impact assessment.

[1]  Maria Rosário Partidário,et al.  Development of a framework to assist the integration of environmental, social and economic issues in spatial planning , 2000 .

[2]  Maria Rosário Partidário,et al.  SEA ¿ Enhancing communication for better environmental decisions , 2006 .

[3]  Riki Therivel,et al.  Strategic Environmental Assessment in Action , 2004 .

[4]  CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY GUIDELINES: DRIVING URBAN PERFORMANCE , 2006 .

[5]  M. Goodchild,et al.  Scale in Remote Sensing and GIS , 2023 .

[6]  Judith Petts,et al.  Handbook of environmental impact assessment , 1999 .

[7]  Henry Mintzberg.  The rise and fall of strategic planning , 1993 .

[8]  Holger Dalkmann,et al.  DECISION MAKING AND STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT , 2001 .

[9]  Bono,et al.  The End of Poverty: How we can make it happen in our lifetime , 2007 .

[10]  Christopher Wood,et al.  STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: EA OF POLICIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMMES , 1992 .

[11]  T. Wallington.  Civic environmental pragmatism: a dialogical framework for strategic environmental assessment , 2002 .

[12]  W. Sheate,et al.  Integrating the environment into strategic decision-making: conceptualizing policy SEA , 2003 .

[13]  Ning Lee,et al.  Strategic environmental assessment: an overview , 1992 .

[14]  Suzan Dagg,et al.  Sustainability Assessment of Future Scenarios: Methodology and Application to Mountain Areas of Europe , 2008, Environmental management.

[15]  W. N. Jessop,et al.  Local Government and Strategic Choice: An Operational Research Approach to the Processes of Public Planning , 1971 .

[16]  Nathaniel Lichfield,et al.  Evaluation in the planning process , 1975 .

[17]  I. Mcharg.  Design With Nature , 1969 .

[18]  Elsa João,et al.  How scale affects environmental impact assessment , 2002 .

[19]  Olivia Bina,et al.  Sustainability Assessment for Agriculture Scenarios in Europe’s Mountain Areas: Lessons from Six Study Areas , 2009, Environmental management.

[20]  J. Arts,et al.  SEA follow-up Exploring the concept of strategic environmental assessment follow-up , 2005 .

[21]  Maria Rosário Partidário,et al.  Strategic environmental assessment: Key issues emerging from recent practice , 1996 .

[22]  Holger Dalkmann,et al.  Analysing strategic environmental assessment : towards better decision-making , 2004 .

[23]  P. Wathern,et al.  Environmental Impact Assessment: Theory and Practice , 1998 .

[24]  D. B. Dalal-Clayton,et al.  Strategic Environmental Assessment: A Sourcebook and Reference Guide to International Experience , 2005 .

[25]  Olivia Bina,et al.  Re-conceptualising strategic environmental assessment: theoretical overview and case study from Chile , 2004 .

[26]  D. Patassini,et al.  Beyond Benefit Cost Analysis: Accounting for Non-Market Values in Planning Evaluation , 2017 .

[27]  W. Thissen,et al.  Rationality in decision- and policy-making: implications for strategic environmental assessment , 2000 .

[28]  Minna Kaljonen,et al.  Views on planning and expectations of SEA: the case of transport planning , 2004 .

[29]  S. Nooteboom.  Adaptive Networks: The Governance For Sustainable Development , 2007 .