ID: 1757
Presenting Author: Heikki Kalle
Session: 520 - Connecting infrastructure and IA – Assessing impacts in contested planning
Status: pending
The paper examines how integrating EIA and SEA improves environmental coherence and governance integration in sustainable European transport corridor planning.
Europe’s transition toward a more sustainable built environment has major implications for transport infrastructure planning. National and European authorities continue to invest heavily in transport networks, typically through large-scale projects aimed at improving individual links or modes. However, such project-based approaches often result in cost overruns, delays, limited public acceptance, and fragmented territorial outcomes. Local land-use concerns frequently dominate, diverting attention from the broader system of transport corridors connecting regions and services.
This paper explores the concept of sustainable and inclusive corridor planning that connects large-scale infrastructure development with local land-use and cross-national transport needs. Particular attention is given to the role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in integrating environmental, social, and economic objectives within multi-level governance frameworks. Drawing on case studies from Estonia, Sweden, and the Netherlands, the paper examines how assessment processes can enhance coordination, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
Findings highlight the need for a strategic, programmatic approach that aligns individual project assessments with corridor-level objectives. Such an approach requires early and continuous stakeholder engagement, coordinated environmental evaluation, and shared platforms for monitoring and learning. Embedding EIA and SEA within corridor planning strengthens environmental coherence and public legitimacy.
Heikki Kalle is researcher of impact assessment and planning at Estonian Environment Institute and manager at DGE Group.
Coauthor 1: Charlotta Faith-Ell
Coauthor 2: Jos Arts