Multiple Visioning: New Ways of Constructing Transnational Spatial Visions

In many parts of Europe, but also at the level of the European Union and the much higher level of the Council of Europe, the creation of spatial visions is now underway. However, these spatial visions often lack an essential ingredient of spatial planning, namely maps. This omission may seem paradoxical, because maps are essential for communicating ideas with a spatial dimension. The vast spatial and political complexities at transnational and European levels are addressed by elementary processes of visioning and mapmaking. Because maps are social constructs, no single, optimal map will exist. Transnational visioning therefore implies the creation of multiple maps and multiple visions.