Strategic planning for vast areas

The Romagna Next – Strategic planning for vast areas practice led to the creation of the first national pilot of inter-provincial strategic planning in Italy. Led by Rimini (IT) in collaboration with three other cities, and implemented across a large area in Romagna, it addressed the need for innovation and flexibility when tackling complex environmental, social, and economic challenges. To this end, fragmentation among medium- and small-sized local authorities must be balanced by flexible governance structures, which can facilitate a greater dialogue among local authorities to share analyses and develop integrated plans. This soft governance model is capable of empowering inter-municipal and private stakeholder cooperation in strategic planning, and of engaging local communities.