The Danish afforestation programme and spatial planning: new challenges

Grant-aided field afforestation has been part of agricultural policies across Europe since the implementation of EU-regulation 2080/92. However, the goals of afforestation are changing with increased focus on afforestation as a means of securing environmental and recreational purposes. Using Denmark as an example, the article outlines the goals of the new post-industrial forestry and highlights the importance of the spatial configuration of new woodlands in the landscape. With point of departure in an investigation of two counties, the planning framework for grant-aided field afforestation is analysed and consequences of its application are discussed. It is concluded that the present planning framework for afforestation seems to neglect important spatial concerns within the planning and implementation process. This is a result of uncoordinated strategies applied by the individual actors within the planning structure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.