Humanities and Arts
The enduring importance of strategic vision in planning: the case of the West Midlands Green Belt
Charles Goode
Charles Goode
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
The Green Belt is one of the most widely known and popular regional growth management policies having been adopted around the world. Drawing upon the regional spatial imaginary and historical institutionalist literature alongside a case study of the West Midlands, this paper conceptualizes the Green Belt as an enduring, regionalizing concept in the spatial vision of planners and professional campaigners. It underscores the continuing importance of planning history and critical junctures in ‘framing’ the perspectives and aspirations of practicing planners regarding strategic planning. The paper charts the emergence, embedding, and adaptability of the Green Belt as an institution before exploring how strategic vision has continued to be vitally important to planners and campaigners despite the abolition of statutory strategic planning in England in 2010.
Key Questions
What is the central theme of the article associated with DOI 10.1080/02665433.2022.2040383?
The article examines the enduring importance of the Green Belt as a regional growth management policy, conceptualizing it as a "regionalizing" framework in the strategic vision of planners and campaigners. Through a case study of the West Midlands Green Belt (WMGB), it explores the impact of historical institutionalism and critical planning junctures on contemporary planning practices.
What role does the Green Belt play in urban planning and growth management?
The Green Belt policy was established to prevent urban sprawl and has gained international significance, with similar policies being implemented in cities such as Seoul, Tokyo, and Sydney. It continues to influence strategic urban planning by framing development at the rural–urban fringe, even amidst growing concerns about housing affordability and development pressures.
How has the historical institutional framework shaped the Green Belt's influence?
The paper argues that the Green Belt can be characterized as an "institution" with staying power due to its long-standing presence (over 70 years), strong advocacy groups, and cultural significance as a guardian of rural landscapes. These factors have contributed to its path dependency and shaped strategic planning perspectives over time.
What are the challenges in maintaining strategic planning after the abolition of statutory regional planning?
Following the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies in England in 2010, planners have faced governance challenges in managing Green Belt policies. The absence of statutory strategic planning has led to a "power vacuum" in strategic vision, yet the importance of maintaining long-term planning frameworks remains crucial amidst evolving housing and development demands.
How does the study contribute to the understanding of planning history and strategic vision?
The study underscores the continuing importance of historical perspectives in planning practices, particularly in framing future strategies. It builds on previous works on regional spatial imaginaries, emphasizing how imagination and strategic vision remain vital in shaping planning cultures and policy approaches, even in the face of central government-driven development pressures.
