National observation system Romanian experience ESPON Seminar Monitoring Territorial Dynamics Luxemburg, 12 November 2008 Radu Necşuliu, Ministry of Development, Public Works and Housing
What do we want? Monitoring of territorial dynamics Instruments for territorial impact assessment of territorially-relevant sectoral policies Prognoses on short, medium and long term Scenarios of territorial development
What to take into account? First Action Plan for Implementation of Territorial Agenda The experience of other Member States (e.g. Observatoire des territoires, Raumbeobachtungssystem) ESPON results (e.g. Project 1.6) Other EU initiatives: INTERREG (ESTIA project), Urban Audit The INSPIRE Directive
Actions for national observation system Phase 1: Needs assessment Phase 2: Political decision Phase 3: Exploring options and choosing best configuration for the observation system Phase 4: Implementation of selected option
Romanian current situation : National Institute for Statistics collects all data and compiles reports (yearbooks, bulletins, monthly information) but rarely territorial syntheses National Commission for Prognoses makes prognoses concerning social-economical development Universities and research institutions conduct various relevant researches Ministry Initiative: Romanian Territorial Atlas National Strategic Concept for Spatial Development
Present state main needs Better correlation between data collected by different institutions Better capitalization of collected data (special reports for local/regional level, tools for support of decision makers) Need of tools that help viewing, identifying and locating concrete problems at territorial level Starting an adequate reporting system to central authorities, concerning territorial dynamics Need to make the National Territorial Strategic Concept more operational
Political decision Commitment taken (National Reform Program) Change in legislation (national observation system mentioned as a pillar of CSDTR in the new Law on territorial planning) National Investment Plan of MDPWH includes territorial observation system Launch of National Strategic Concept for Territorial Development (where the importance of observation system was emphasized)
Options for configuring the National Observation System New specially-created institution New department in existing institution Partnership between existing institutions Lead by one of the institutions Lead by a scientific panel Solution to be chosen after more research
Components of the national system Territorial observation system Urban observation system Housing and real estate observation system Accessibility computing system Social barometer
Challenge 1 ensuring coordination with other institutions Relations with relevant institutions and methodology for consultation of institutions interested Correlation with other current efforts at European and national level
Challenge 2 efficient functioning Identification of needed indicators and sets of data Methodologies for collection of data Procedures for permanent update and for reports Ensuring interoperability (INSPIRE)
Expected results Better connections between data providers and decision makers Underlying sectoral policies Territorial impact assessment of sectoral policies Support of territorial planning and territorial research Warning system (ex: demographic changes, climatic changes, social problems, etc)
Romanian Territorial Atlas Author: CUGUAT-TIGRIS centre (University Al. I. Cuza of Iaşi) Coordinated by MDPWH (Territorial Development department) Pilot-project for use of tools based on ESPON results http://www.mdlpl.ro/_documente/atlas/index.htm More than 20.000 visitors on the site in 6 months
Romanian Territorial Atlas http://www.mdlpl.ro/_documente/atlas/index.htm Part 1: Hyper Atlas HyperAtlas Europe (based on work of HyperCarte Research Project) HyperAtlas Romania (adaptation for Romania) Part 2: Territorial Atlas Analytic maps (showing current state) Dynamic maps (showing evolutions)
Conclusions Romania needs territorial observation system Progress is made but much work awaits ESPON results can be used with success Future steps: Financing and implementing the territorial observation system Ensuring good functioning of the system
Thank you! radu.necsuliu@mdlpl.ro