Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.08.00 |
Social sciences |
Urbanism |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S240 |
Social sciences |
Town and country planning |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.07 |
Social Sciences |
Social and economic geography |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Researchers (17)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research programme Spatial planning is an interdisciplinary programme, including disciplines such as landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning and design, sociology, geography, economy, even mathematics, each addressing spatial issues from its own angle. The general focus is on basic and applied research for various levels of spatial development, from regional planning and development, to urban and landscape planning and design. Within this framework, special attention is paid to improvement and development of research methods relevant for interdisciplinary bottom-up approaches. Such approaches are crucial for effective implementation of scientific results into a planning practice addressing wide spectrum of issues, from new development, regeneration and revitalisation to preservation of any valuable component of space. Thus there is a striving for development of tools for comprehensive spatial development taking into account structural, morphological, ecological, cultural, psychological and socio-economic aspects.
The programme is incorporated into main streams at international as well as national level. It is in line with international directives and objectives relevant for spatial and urban planning as well as with the aims and priorities significant for this field at the national level. In the new perspective, we will continue with the upgrading of carried out approaches, methods and models: models of sustainable development, methods for spatial and environmental evaluation, environmental management, and effects of climate changes on spatial development. Further, work will continue in the fields of development and promotion of mobility systems, examination of quality of living in relation to the roles of green and open spaces; and development of policies and planning practices for vulnerable groups (e.g. elderly, children, and impaired people), accessibility studies and all-inclusive studies and design. There will be a special focus on the usage of ICT and further development of e-GIS tools and methods for various assessments of (social) acceptability of spatial interventions, as well as examination of potentials of scenarios and simulations as a means for monitoring and valuation of changes in places; especially changes as consequences of abandoned areas (e.g. social and spatial redevelopment of industrial areas, changes in cultural landscape, urban-rural relationship) and as consequences of climate changes.
The results can be applied in making and evaluating various policies, from spatial, environmental, infrastructural to socio-economic; strategic town planning and development, development and planning of green systems of cities and towns, mobility systems of cities and regions and as practical guidance for all-inclusive design.
Significance for science
The major significance for scientific development in the field of spatial, environmental and social studies lies in the development and implementation of scientific methods and tools. An important contribution is also in the interdisciplinary approach and linkage of various scientific disciplines and their methods into innovative approaches, which are used in practice such as planning, design and management of territories and places. Some basic scientific disciplines such as psychology, sociology, computer science, and even physics and chemistry benefit form practical and applied nature of spatial planning. Accordingly, bottom-up approaches are of key importance as their application contributes to the enhancement of applicable values of such basic scientific disciplines, e.g. psychology (use of behaviour and mental mapping), sociology, economy and computer sciences (data linkage to territories and their analysis and visualisation), or physics and chemistry (issues related to environmental protection, ecology and climate changes).
Furthermore, researchers cooperate with international research centres and universities within projects supported by various EC programmes and other international projects. Within these projects, as well as within the framework of projects from the coming programmes of the EC perspective 2014-2020, researchers will contribute to the development of new knowledge, approaches and policies applied in/ for spatial planning and development. The results of work in such international consortiums contribute to better understanding of urbanisation processes and spatial development in Europe. They represent points of departures for the implementation and formulation of modern policies of sustainable spatial development, landscape and environmental protection, and urban and landscape management at various territorial levels.
Significance for the country
Spatial planning is an applied discipline; therefore scientific research in this field must address practical issues, too. Accordingly, our work is predominately focused on providing guidance and support for practical planning, design and management of territories and places. Basic and applied research projects often result in guidelines or (action) plans, usually supported by ICT, thus any translation of research work into practice is significant also in the fields of e-products and services. Due to the current economic crisis, there are fewer opportunities in planning practice and consequently in scientific support for it in Slovenia at the moment. Nonetheless, researchers stay in touch with these challenges mostly through international projects.
The results are important for:
Sustainable socio-economic and cultural development
Contribution is seen within the development of our own methods and transmission of foreign knowledge into Slovenian practice and theory; development of methods of spatial planning at different territorial levels, from local to national; preparation of strategic planning documents; implementation of spatial legislation; preparation of sample cases of planning documents; development of e-GIS tools for documentation and analysis of territories and places regarding specific target groups, from business subjects (e-portal bussines zones http://www.investslovenia.org/) to vulnerable ( e-portal accessibility for impaired people: http://dostopnost.uirs.si/) or other focused groups (e-portal: habits and needs of urban cyclists: http://kolo.uirs.si/).
Rational and effective spatial development
Contribution lies in continuity of systematic monitoring of spatial development and territorial changes, methods development in altered climate and demographic conditions, inclusion of ICT into procedures and processes of planning and design, and development of simulation models relevant for various territorial levels and/or potential users; monitoring of implementation of legislation, legislation assessments, carrying out public lectures and manuals for awareness raising of professional as well as lay public. One of the important fields of interest is also the development of scientific and professional terminology. In 2013 the first version of the Terminological dictionary has been published. In addition, the researchers are also involved in teaching processes at Slovenian universities and other educational centres.
Technological development
Contribution is mostly seen through e-GIS supportive systems for research, analysis, planning, and management of territories and places, and development of modelling approaches, simulations of scenarios of possible future territorial developments.
Building up national, space and landscape identity, and cultural diversity
Spatial planning is inevitably linked with the fields of space identity, landscape protection, and cultural and natural heritage preservation. Accordingly, its contribution lies in the development of comprehensive approaches addressing preservation of spatial, natural and cultural qualities of Slovenia. Dissemination of such approaches and other built up knowledge contribute to the popularisation of science, recognition of Slovenia in the European context, and influence the enhancement of cultural and national identity.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
