Approaches to comparing spatial planning instruments across national systems

Abstract

This chapter includes a detailed explanation of the rationale behind the selection of countries and describes each case study. It presents the main lines of comparison among national spatial planning systems and highlights their limitations. This chapter also outlines the features of spatial planning instruments at the urban level, particularly focusing on spatial plans. The classifications made are then linked to the aims and research questions of the book. Following this, this chapter discusses the unique characteristics of the spatial planning systems in the countries under study, with an emphasis on their common features. It explains how these features should be described and related to the different systems of each country. Additionally, this chapter indicates the research limitations. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Maciej J. Nowak; individual chapters, the contributors.