Strategic planning processes of the Flemish ports: a central role for spatial planning

In the strategic planning processes of the Flemish ports, (the vision of) the development and implementation of the spatial planning of the seaport and the surrounding area has a central place. However, its planning and implementation was directed exclusively from a port and public works perspective. Spatial planning was limited to establishing the necessary zoning in the regional spatial plan. The one-sided infrastructural approach to port development is being broadened, mainly under the impulse of spatial planning, to a more integrated approach to port policy planning. What’s more, spatial planning and spatial planners play a prominent role in the current strategic planning processes and provide direction in (a few) seaports for the implementation of the strategic options.