Monitoring and control of just transition in mining regions: Relevant tools

• Published in: AIP conference proceedings Vol. 2928; no. 1
• Main Authors: Danciu, Mihai, Domokos-Paşcu, Gabriela, Bădescu, Ştefana
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 27.09.2023
• Subjects: Impact analysis; Monitoring; Planning; Urban planning; Working groups
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0171439

Mining regions are similar in terms of socio-economic evolution and characteristic patterns of spatial development. Their current challenges are determined by seemingly divergent processes, which regardless of their nature produce long-term instability and reduced control over the efficient use of resources. Although they are the main scope for various international support initiatives, these areas suffer from a lack of coordination, cooperation in finding common solutions and limited spatial planning. This is especially noticeable in those areas that have lost their economic importance and relevance in the settlements network, remaining less relevant for the usual control and monitoring tools in strategic planning. Through the just transition, the mining regions are helped to overcome their uncertain status because of the implementation of programs, projects and measures specific to each analyzed territory. The territorial administrative units coordinate Just Transition Plans, which are implemented provided that all stakeholders in the affected area, members of the working groups, are involved. These entities have the role of assisting the transition process by ensuring compliance with the sectoral and transversal principles initially established. From the urban planning point of view, this process is partially valid, since the planning is in these territories at a very low level of quality compared to areas of major economic importance. For this reason, the spatial relevance impact assessment tools have a reduced capacity to analyze the progress in meeting their objectives, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This study presents existing tools for assessing spatial planning processes and their impact, providing good practice examples in this area. Applying distinct criteria, specific to each territory considered, subject to the just transition process, the result is presented in the form of a set of useful guidelines for the stakeholder members in the working groups coordinating the just transition process.