• Introduction

• Why overall planning?

• Spatial planning is part of the development strategy of an area. 
• It can be at a local, regional or national scale. 
• It includes legal, technical, economic, ecological as well as social aspects. 
• The role of spatial planning is to coordinate the activities, taking care of all the concerned interests.

zoning as a tool

Zoning is the far most used tool to run spatial planning around the world. It consists of dividing space into zones and reserve zones for a particular use: housing, industry, agriculture, shopping, etc. Each piece of land is then attributed to a specific or mixt use, which also means functions and rules. 

Spatial planning to develop a trail network

Zones and other tools are the basis for feasibility study, masterplans and other planning documents which will define where a trail is possible. For a trail planner, this is important knowledge to create corridors or to design trails. For a trail builder, some knowledge about spatial planning helps to understand why a trail or a route might not follow the ideal line for a perfect rider experience!

Spatial planning will help define what is the most suitable trail configuration for the local environment. (see rider experience)