VISION AND STRATEGIES
AROUND THE BALTIC SEA

VASAB is intergovernmental multilateral co-operation of the Baltic Sea Region in spatial planning and development, guided by the Conference of Ministers responsible for spatial planning and development, steered by the Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (CSPD/BSR) composed of representatives of respective ministries and regional authorities.

VASAB prepares policy options for the territorial development of the Baltic Sea Region and provides a forum for exchange of know-how on spatial planning and development between the Baltic Sea countries:

In 2009 the ministers responsible for spatial planning and development in the Baltic Sea Region countries adopted a strategic document ‘VASAB Long - Term Perspective for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region’ (VASAB LTP).

The document highlights the current territorial development trends and challenges, and presents a territorial cohesion perspective for the Baltic Sea Region in the year 2030. It also proposes concrete actions to stimulate territorial development potentials and to overcome existing gaps.

The VASAB LTP covers such policy sectors, where the transnational cooperation in spatial planning provides a substantial benefit. These have been purposely limited to urban networking and urban –rural cooperation, accessibility and maritime spatial planning. The 22 specified action agendas address these issues. They can be implemented in co-operation with other pan-Baltic organisations, national and regional authorities and partners from the public and private sector.

In December 2022 VASAB Committee for Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (VASAB CSPD/BSR) approved the VASAB Vision for the Territorial Development of the Baltic Sea Region in 2040. VASAB Vision 2040 is going to be endorsed by VASAB Ministerial Conference on 2 June 2023 in Wismar, Germany.