Long Term Perspective of BSR: accessibility and regional development potentials

1. Long Term Perspective of BSR:accessibility and regional development potentials Talis Linkaits Head of VASAB Secretariat Balticness 9 May 2008, Vilnius

2. VISION AND STRATEGIESAROUND THE BALTIC SEA VASABis a network of 11 countries on the ministerial level for spatial planning and monitoring of spatial development, fostering common discussionand establishing forum to create spatial framework for cooperation within the Baltic Sea Region

3. VISION AND STRATEGIESAROUND 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 Belarus „Old“ 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

4. Tallinn 1994 Vision and Strategiesaroundthe Baltic Sea 2010 I. Pearls Urban network of international importance II. Strings Effective and sustainable links between cities III. Patches Areas supporting dynamism and quality of life IV. System Comprehensive spatial planning in function

5. VASAB 2010+ SpatialDevelopmentAction Programme Wismar 2001 1.Co-operation of urban regions on key issues of sustainable development 2. Strategicspatialdevelopment zones important for transnational integration within the BSR 3.Transnationaltransport links important for cross-BSR and cross-Europe integration 4. Diversification and strengthening of rural areas 5. Development of transnational green networks includingcultural landscapes 6. Integrated development of coastal zonesand islands It supportedvia Baltica, viaHanseaticaandRail Baltic

6. Main Task – Long Term Perspective for the Region 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 - Communiqué June 2005 6th Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning and Development in the BSR - Gdansk Declaration of September 2005

7. Seminar in Pärnu on 25-26 April 2006 WG1 - Urban and urban-rural networking WG2 - Accessibility and transnational development zones WG3 - Sea use planning and ICZM LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE The work on the LTP started Prioritized key three themes – LTP Working Groups Involvement of BSR Stakeholders Conference in Warsaw on 6-7 November 2006 RU StakeholderconferenceinSt.Petersburgon 18-19 October 2007 ConferenceinRigaon 23 April 2008

8. ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY LTP WG 2 • - Screening of the national long term transport strategies • Analysis of accessibility and regional development potentials • in the Baltic Sea Region • BSR Internal accessibility • European accessibility • Access to global networks –BSR in the world • Energy • Accessibility to ICT networks • Screening of the relevant INTERREG projects

9. LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE ▫Climate change ▫Change of the BSR from a peripheral location to a strategic one andtaking 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:

10. Core/peripherylocation BSR peripheral Lower population potential Remote geographical position Is it an obstacle for development in the BSR?

11. BSR and the world BSR has strong connections to the most important global players

12. BSR and Europe How is the BSR integrated with the rest of Europe? Role of air connections Potential role of rail connections

13. BSR and Europe How is the BSR integrated with the rest of Europe? Role of air connections Potential role of rail network

14. Regional integration Road networks Fragmented motorway and highway network Dense but uneven secondary road network

15. EU potentialintegrationzones Areall BSR zonessufficientlyconnected?

16. Towards a Long Term Perspectivefor the BSR 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?)

17. LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE Proposed draft VISION 2030 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

18. For further information visit www.vasab.org VASAB Secretariat in Riga Elizabetes str.19, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia Tel: +371 67350630, Fax: +371 67350626 E-mail: info@vasab.org