Good Planning & Cooperation Practices in the Baltic Sea Region

On 18 September 2025, VASAB hosted a hybrid workshop in Iława, Poland, and online, bringing together project partners of the Planners’ Forum project, and other key stakeholders involved in spatial planning in the Baltic Sea Region. The event examined the potential for a Land-based Planners’ Forum to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among spatial planners across different governance levels. 

Partners of the Planners' Forum project presented their results of a comparative study of spatial planning systems in VASAB member countries and discussed the findings of a study on the feasibility of establishing a dedicated forum. 

Inspirational talks showcased examples of cooperation from various organisations, including METREX, the Maritime Spatial Planning Planners’ Forum, the Small-Town Academy, URBACT, the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC), and the Estonian Spatial Planners Association.

A panel discussion involving representatives from the ARL, VASAB and the UBC focused on identifying collaboration needs and opportunities, as well as considering how a new forum could complement existing networks. The workshop concluded with a look ahead to the final event in Tallinn on 11-12 February 2026.

Overall, the workshop highlighted the value of inclusive, transnational cooperation among spatial planners and demonstrated the potential of a dedicated forum to enhance planners’ capacities, encourage interaction across all governance levels, and support collaboration among key networks through various working and exchange formats, thereby addressing to meet the different needs of participants.

Scientific contact person at ARL HQ

Dr. Britta Bockhorn

International Affairs/Deputy Scientific Head

Phone: +49 511 34842 25

Britta.bockhorn@arl-net.de