VASAB

With the new year just around the corner, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the achievements we have made in 2024 🌟 VASAB Newsletter is out:   🎉First VASAB strategic document turns 30 🚀 Planners' Forum for land-based spatial planning about to begin! 📅 Save the date! 5th Baltic MSP Forum 11-12 November 2025 🗨️ Highlights from the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Annual Forum 2024 📚 Updating VASAB Recommendations for Coastal Planning and Development in the Baltic Sea Region #BalticSea2Land #MadeWithInterreg 🌊 Northern European Sea Basins project starts #EMFAF 🔊 “Oysters with a pearl” podcast series presenting key outcomes of the eMSP NBSR Project Find it all here https://lnkd.in/d92tBvjj 📰 Subscribe and stay informed!   And we wish you wonderful holidays and a Happy New Year!✨ #BalticSeaRegion #SpatialPlanning #Vision2040

93rd VASAB Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of #BalticSeaRegion in Tallinn continued exploring spatial resilience 🔎 How is the whole-of-government all-of-hazards logic represented in the VASAB #Vision2040? For that also studying insights from Ukraine’s experience 🗺️ #EstonianChairmanship #Resilience #SpatialPlanning

📣 Excited to announce the launch of the Planners’ Forum for land-based spatial planning! The project officially kicked off today and will focus on tackling pressing challenges in the Baltic Sea Region — such as geopolitical shifts, climate change, and demographic trends — by enhancing planners’ capacity to address these issues. Through fostering collaboration across all governance levels, the Planners’ Forum aims to strengthen sustainable and resilient spatial planning practices across the region 🗺️ Funded by the Svenska institutet (Swedish Institute), this project is led by Nordregio in partnership with Stockholm University, the ARL - Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association (Academy for Spatial Research and Planning), the Estonian Association for Spatial Planners, VASAB, and other strategic partners across the Baltic Sea Region 👋   🌐 Learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/dmX-VdWY #SpatialPlannig #SpatialPlanners #SpatialResilience #BalticSeaRegion #PlannersForum

Today, we hosted the online seminar: "Towards Updated Common Coastal Planning and Development Recommendations for the Baltic Sea Region"! The seminar opened with 🗺️ VASAB Vision 2040: Key trends and challenges shaping the Baltic Sea Region’s future. And discussions continued on the Updating Coastal Recommendations: Identifying needs, challenges, and opportunities to guide sustainable coastal development 🎯 We were inspired by examples and expertise shared by our speakers: From Finland: Coastal Strategy – A systemic and stakeholder-centered and driven approach to sustainable coastal use 🗨️ From Lithuania: Blue Economy in Klaipeda Region – Exploration of innovative strategies for port modernization, green transport, and sustainable fisheries and influences of these sectors beyond coastal areas 📊 From Latvia: Kurzeme Region's Coastal Thematic Plan – A precedent-setting regional initiative for diverse multi-stakeholder 365 km long part of Latvia’s coastline ⛵ Thank you to all speakers and participants for active engagement and collaboration! Together, we move closer to actionable recommendations for the Baltic Sea Region’s coastal planning challenges 🌊 #BalticSeaRegion #BalticSea #SpatialPlanning #CoastalPlanning #MaritimeSpatialPlanning #MadeWithInterreg #BalticSea2Land

Here's an update on Estonia's ongoing 2024-2025 VASAB Chairmanship As Estonia continues its VASAB chairmanship for 2024-2025, we are excited to share our top priorities: 1️⃣ The importance of spatial planning and territorial approaches in responding to the natural and man-made risks that have recently heightened. Resilient spaces and communities play a crucial role in our readiness to act upon ever-changing realities. 2️⃣ Experience exchange on national level spatial policy development and implementation. In early 2025, we will host a webinar on the topic - all presentation suggestions welcome! This benchmarking opportunity also contributes to the preparations of Estonia's new spatial plan "Eesti 2050". Stay tuned for further details. 3️⃣ Fostering collaboration and information sharing. VASAB is a key focal point of spatial know-how in the Baltic Sea Region. Together with VASAB Secretariat and other partners, we seek ways to utilise this expertise in all governance levels in day-to-day spatial decisions. 🔗 What is VASAB? VASAB is an intergovernmental cooperation platform that unites the Baltic Sea Region to improve spatial planning and development. Led by the Conference of Ministers and guided by the Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region, it fosters knowledge exchange and policy recommendations for a sustainable future. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gmmPN7sC #VASAB #SpatialPlanning #BSR #Estonia #FutureVision #Sustainability #Resilience

🔔 Don’t miss out! These are the final days to register for our seminar! Join us to explore best practices from Lithuania, Finland, and Latvia in coastal strategies, sustainable planning, and development principles. Gain insights and connect with experts! 📅 Agenda & Registration: https://lnkd.in/dE4c3wWw #BalticSea2Land #SpatialPlanning #BalticSeaRegion

🌊 Save the Date! Join us for the 𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗦𝗣 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 on 11-12 November 2025, in Riga, Latvia! This well-known event brings together spatial planners, policymakers, researchers and stakeholders dedicated to the balanced stewardship of coastal and marine areas. Mark your calendars and be part of this pivotal gathering that will share advancements in coastal and maritime spatial planning practices and magnify multi-level cooperation for the Baltic Sea Region and beyond.   The forum will also serve as the final conference for the Baltic Sea2Land project under Interreg Baltic Sea Region.   More information and updates at https://lnkd.in/dqk3uV35   #BalticMSPforum #5BalticMSPforum #MaritimeSpatialPlanning #MSP #CoastalDevelopment #BalticSea2Land #Sea2LandNavigator #MadewithInterreg #BalticSeaRegion

🚨 Call for Registration! 🚨Liveability Talk with Charles Landry | 7 November 2024 🌟 Don't miss the opportunity 🔗 Register Now: https://lnkd.in/eUTMxVP9 Zanete Eglite Janna Bahnsen Danish Cultural Institute Danish Cultural Institute in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Schleswig-Holstein Paulina Szewczyk Magdalena Żółkiewicz Dorota Kamrowska-Zaluska Sanna Aaltonen Charles Landry Interreg Baltic Sea Region VASAB Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC) #designthinking #liveable #MadeWithInterreg #BalticSea Johanna Leino BSR Cultural Pearls

🌊 This November, take action for the Baltic Sea coast! The Baltic Sea coast is a vital area that grants us with both values and responsibilities. This month, there are three impactful ways you can contribute to shaping a sustainable future for our coastal areas: 1️⃣ ✅ Participate in our Survey Your insights matter! Take a few moments to share your thoughts and help us better understand the needs and challenges facing the Baltic Sea coast: https://lnkd.in/dbdMQS4i 2️⃣ ☑️ Join our seminar on 20 November Register now and be part of an engaging discussion on spatial planning and coastal development. Gain insights from experts and collaborate with peers to drive meaningful change: https://lnkd.in/dAMSaa68 3️⃣ 📣 Spread the Word Know colleagues who are devoted to coastal planning? Share this with your network and inspire others to get involved! Together, we can make a difference. Let’s protect and develop the Baltic Sea coast thoughtfully and sustainably 🌍 #MadeWithInterreg #BalticSea2Land #SpatialPlanning #MSP #MaritimeSpatialPlanning #MultiLevelGovernance #LandSeaInteractions Interreg Baltic Sea Region

Today’s session on 'Designing Liveable Cities in the Baltic Sea Region' at #EUSBSRforum2024 was filled with insights on creating resilient, people-centered cities that are prepared, robust, and community-focused. Key takeaways: 🤝 Public Interest Design - how people-centered design shapes vibrant urban places that resonate with residents’ needs and values (by Charles Landry) 🗺️ VASAB Vision 2040 and potential future action fostering collaborative, sustainable communities across the Baltic Sea Region (by Egija Stapkevica) 💡 Community-driven liveability in action: local initiatives in Riga’s Grīziņkalns neighborhood showcase the power of grassroots efforts to enhance neighborhood quality and vibrancy (by Marta Kotello) 🏗️ When designing for liveability, the scale of urban areas is key—drawing on inspiring examples from across the #BSR to adapt and enhance spaces of all sizes (by Paulina Szewczyk) 🟡 🔵 Ukraine remains steadfast on its path to rebuilding towns and cities with a focus on liveability, emphasizing community well-being and sustainable design (by Kateryna Baulina) 🌟 A lot to learn from the Liveability Design Approach and Liveable Cities Network at: https://lnkd.in/ehSVugaG (by Andrea Cederquist) Gratitude to all participants and speakers! #EUSBSR #UrbanPlanning #LiveableCities #SpatialPlanning #MadewithInterreg #BalticSea #VASABvisio2024 Interreg Baltic Sea Region EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Schleswig-Holstein Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC) Liveable Cities Network REM Consult