SEA and eia using spatial decision support tools - 5 ECTS
How sustainable are proposed development actions?
Ad hoc and often uncontrolled development initiatives can have undesired social, economic and ecological consequences. Rapid population growth, pollution, climate change, the exposure to hazards and disasters, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services require effective assessment tools to assist sustainable planning and decision making. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) are basically procedures to support this process.
The key principles of EIA and SEA are the involvement of relevant stakeholders, a transparent and adaptive planning process, consideration of alternatives, and using the best possible information for decision and policy making. EIA and SEA therefore improve both the (spatial) planning process and the information used in this process.
In this course you will explore how GIS, models and spatial decision support (SDS) tools can be used to help to identify and structure the problem(s), to find and compare possible solutions, and to monitor and evaluate the proposed activities. This course provides a unique opportunity to integrate a multidisciplinary assessment of spatial policies, plans, programmes and projects. Hands-on experience with real EIA and SEA projects will be a major part of the course.
For whom is the course relevant?
Although participants may have diverse backgrounds, you should share practical experience of, or have an affinity with, the application of EIA and SEA within a spatial planning context. You may be a professional involved in development planning, or working in a governmental or non-governmental organization. You can be a practitioner, reviewer, consultant, expert, a student or professional working in the field of environment.
detailed description
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