Planning and Climate Change: A Case Study on the Spatial Plan of the Danube Corridor Through Serbia

Abstract

Spatial planning has an important role to play in addressing climate change issues, taking into account that contemporary global and other international and regional frameworks support an integrated approach in adapting to climate change. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the role of planning in the context of climate change with special reference to current practice and the legal and other planning frameworks in the Republic of Serbia. The example of the Spatial Plan for the Specific Purposes Area of the International Waterway E-80 Danube (Pan-European Corridor VII) is introduced, and issues related to the influence of climate change on water regimes are analysed by reviewing the presence of planning measures that cover natural and cultural heritage. The results indicate that despite the lack of an adequate legal base, current practice offers indirect support to adaptation measures through promoting ecological networks, increasing the extent of protected areas, and building systems for flood protection among others.