Talis LinkaitsHead of VASAB Secretariat

Balticness9 May 2008, Vilnius

VASAB is a network of 11 countries on the ministerial level for spatial planning and monitoring of spatial development, fostering common discussion and establishing forum to create spatial framework for cooperation within the Baltic Sea Region

VISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTIC SEA

Permanent co-operation since 1992 to develop common spatial vision of the Baltic Sea Region Covers all countries bordering the Baltic Sea, plus BelarusOld EU members (DK, SE, FIN, DE)New EU members (PL, LT, LV, EE)Non-EU members (RUS, BY, NO) + RU and DE regions Since 1994 ministers are supported by permanent Committee on Spatial Development (CSD) and Secretariat Since 2007 Secretariat located in Riga Latvian chairmanship July 2007 June 2008

VISION AND STRATEGIES AROUND THE BALTIC SEA

Tallinn 1994 Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea 2010I. PearlsUrban network of international importance

II. StringsEffective and sustainable links between cities

III. PatchesAreas supporting dynamism and quality of life

IV. SystemComprehensive spatial planning in function

1. Co-operation of urban regions on key issues of sustainable development

2. Strategic spatial development zones important for transnational integration within the BSR

3. Transnational transport links important for cross-BSR and cross-Europe integration

4. Diversification and strengthening of rural areas

5. Development of transnational green networks including cultural landscapes

6. Integrated development of coastal zones and islandsVASAB 2010+ Spatial Development Action Programme Wismar 2001It supported via Baltica, via Hanseatica and Rail Baltic

Encouragement to update the vision of long-term territorial development of the Region together with the relevant regional stakeholders

Decision to prepare a long-term perspective for the spatial development of the Baltic Sea Region (LTP) under active participation of the regional authorities and in a dialogue with relevant pan-Baltic organizations

Council of the Baltic Sea States - Communiqu June 2005 6th Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning and Development in the BSR - Gdansk Declaration of September 2005Main Task Long Term Perspective for the Region

Seminar in Prnu on 25-26 April 2006

WG1 - Urban and urban-rural networking WG2 - Accessibility and transnational development zones WG3 - Sea use planning and ICZM

The work on the LTP started Prioritized key three themes LTP Working Groups Involvement of BSR Stakeholders Conference in Warsaw on 6-7 November 2006RU Stakeholder conference in St.Petersburg on 18-19 October 2007Conference in Riga on 23 April 2008

ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY LTP WG 2

Climate change Change of the BSR from a peripheral location to a strategic one and taking advantage of this location Humanization of globalization Diversification of energy sources Intensive and incoherent use of the Baltic Sea Depopulation of rural areas Unexpected transport growth and urban sprawl Explosive growth of underground and underwater New challenges:

23 April 2008, RigaBSR peripheral

Lower population potentialRemote geographical positionIs it an obstacle for development in the BSR?

BSR has strong connections to the most important global players

23 April 2008, RigaHow is the BSR integrated with the rest of Europe?

Role of air connections

Potential role of rail connections

23 April 2008, RigaHow is the BSR integrated with the rest of Europe?

Role of air connections

Potential role of rail network

23 April 2008, RigaRoad networks

Fragmented motorway and highway network

Dense but uneven secondary road network

Are all BSR zones sufficiently connected?

Conclusions by VASAB WG2, A.Dubois, Nordregio

Integration of the accessibility issues at different scales

Importance of air and ferry connections for internal and global integration

Adaptation of regional accessibility strategies to the territorial structure

Management of the increase of future mobility needs (more infrastructure? Better use of existing?)

The Baltic Sea Region is a sustainable, integrated, well-functioning and safe part of Europe with the Baltic Sea as a common asset, which we all cherish

The Baltic Sea Region is well-connected internally as well as with the rest of Europe and the world, creating benefits from global partnerships and sound development of its surrounding neighbors

The Baltic Sea Region is a model of efficient cooperation between creative, well-educated inhabitants, strong regions and institutions benefiting from human capital, natural and cultural diversity and ensuring life quality in urban and rural areas

Proposed draft VISION 2030

For further information visitwww.vasab.org

VASAB Secretariat in RigaElizabetes str.19, Riga, LV-1010, LatviaTel: +371 67350630, Fax: +371 67350626E-mail: info@vasab.org

********Issues of large-scale accessibility for the BSR is more a question of the territorial structure than a pure transport issue. But of course, good and reliable transport networks are important, especially in linking integrating the BSR territories with the more central parts of the EU. However, we argue here that this is not the main challenge for accessibility in the BSR. Cities and regions in the BSR have recently shown better economic development trends than in the rest of Europe.

*The BSR has strong connections to the most important global players.

Here, airports and seaports are acting as the necessary nodes to enable global mobility of goods and individuals.Air: more suited for individuals and light freight; maritime: more suited to heavier goods and large quantities.

Complementarity in the coverage of global destinations: advantage for the BSR as a whole.BSR is fully integrated in global patterns of trade and commerce (on its own)The main issue here is the capacity of the airports and seaports to handle more cargo and passengers, and the i9mplication of logistical actors in the process: air carriers, maritime transportation companies*The spatial patterns of the intensity of air connections between the main BSR airports and European airports shows a great integration of BSR regions in European networks. In general, all main European destinations can be reached from each of the BSR airports. For entrepreneurs, the good connectivity to global places such as London, Paris or Frankfurt is an advantage in order to attract investments.

*Rail connections could have an important role to connect some BSR regions with the rest of Europe. But the infrastructure is not sufficient to enable this type of mobility: some missing links are still existing especially on the eastern shore of the BSR, low capacity of infrastructure is still a problem, no tracks for high-speed services available, differences in technical standards are still hampering mobility for goods and persons. Lack of north-south connections is the major problem when it comes to the connection of the BSR with the rest of the continent.Despite its obvious geopolitical value-added, for instance par of the Northern dimension strategy, TEN-T projects in the BSR have low priority on the European agenda.

But, rail network could also play an essential role in bringing the BSR regions together. Only southern Scandinavia, and northern Germany, and to a lesser extent Western Poland, can be said to constitute an integrated rail network. On the Eastern side of the BSR, the rail connections between the main cities are not only rare, but are also extremely time-consuming, due to the poor quality of the infrastructure. For instance, in order to travel between Baltic capitals, buses are a better option than trains.For northern areas in the Nordic countries, the long distances and the scarcity of the current infrastructure are obstacles for a reliable use of rail transport.

When it comes to the integration of the BSR as a whole, the use of rail is limited: the Baltic Sea acts as a natural obstacle for developing terrestrial transport networks. Consequently, air and ferry connections are playing a central role in enabling mobility from one region to another.*The usage of road network has become central in enabling the mobility of persons and goods on short, daily distances.The use of cars has increased in all BSR countries, leading to more traffic on the roads. The capacity in terms of number of lanes and quality of the road itself are central parameters in order to handle the increase of car usage.Problems can be found not only in the surroundings of the largest metropolitan areas, where the infrastructure is often of better quality, but as well on other roads.

Two types of networks should be distinguished:1 Motorway network is especially important for trucks and lorries2 A dense secondary network is important for daily interactions, and for reaching out to all parts of the BSR territory

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