Spatial Planning Tools as a Key Element for Implementation of the Strategy for an Integrated Governance System of Historical Built Areas within the Central Europe Region

A strategy represents a plan of actions designed to achieve a long-term vision, mission and related goals according to a generic definition. Regardless of the quality of a strategy, it is still the only plan or framework that needs to be implemented. For reaching the genuine effects and qualities incorporated within the objectives of the strategy, a wide set of integrative tools needs to be considered. Especially, when we are talking about the integrative strategy not only from a territorial point of view but also content, sources, challenges, time or multilevel integration. The strategy for the integrated governance system of historical built areas (later also as HBA) in Central Europe is precisely this type of integrative strategy. The paper is focused on the provision of an overview of available integrative spatial planning tools (socio-economic, land-use, land-scape planning tools) which have the potential to support or realise implementation of the goals. Spatial planning offers wide range of integrative approaches and tools supporting the participation of all groups of stakeholders, which is also a key aspect of successful implementation of this kind of strategies. The article demonstrates this approach on best practice from the city of Poprad (Slovakia) where historical built areas (HBAs) are important parts of the city and the strategy for the integrated governance system of HBA in Central Europe covering also this city. The paper, in particular, summarizes the preliminary outputs of international project BhENEFIT supported by Interreg Central Europe Programme. The project is focused on improving sustainable management approaches of historic built areas and looking for novel solutions improving decision-making and managing processes efficiently, through a strategy-based approach and effective monitoring and assessing, risk prevention, environmental sustainability, conservation and re-use.