The COVID 19 pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical tensions have created critical challenges for spatial planning in the Baltic Sea Region. To tackle these challenges, the research project “Land-based Planners’ Forum” highlights the need to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of spatial planners in the region, by creating a new forum for cooperation.
There is a clear need for a structured, informal platform where local and regional land-based spatial planners can share best practices and insights, says Myriam Chilvers, researcher at Nordregio.
Stakeholder interviews and surveys show there is strong support for a lightweight, practitioner driven Forum. Rather than creating a new heavy structure, there should be a flexible space that complements existing frameworks, with the focus being on practical exchange and trust building.
– The idea is to start the forum with simple, low threshold activities. As the planner’s community grows and consolidates, the forum can gradually expand its range of activities, says Myriam Chilvers.
The Planners’ Forum research project is a collaboration between several partners, led by Nordregio. The project started in 2024 and ends in April 2026.
