From the Proceedings of the 1978 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 14-15, 1978, Flagstaff, Arizona / Tucson's "Beat the Peak" program implemented in the summer of 1977 effectuated a reduction in peak day water usage from 151.5 million gallons per day on July 9, 1976, to 114.0 million gallons per day on July 8, 1977. This twenty-five percent reduction, if maintained, will allow a three -year deferral of a new remote wellfield and transmission pipeline estimated to cost between $25 and $50 million. More time will be available to analyze the cost effectiveness of solutions to the region's water resources supply problems (such as imported groundwater, Central Arizona Project water, effluent reuse, and their interrelationships). Although conservation was not promoted, the successful peak management program resulted in a 13.3 percent reduction in 1977 water use during the summer months (May through August) compared to usage during the same period in 1976. This resulted in water sales revenues less than projected, but the combination of less utility expenses and deferred capital improvements will yield lower customer rates and monthly bills than would have otherwise been necessary without the program.

From the Proceedings of the 1978 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 14-15, 1978, Flagstaff, Arizona / Discontinuous water quality data for the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona is analyzed to illustrate the nature of water quality problems of ephemeral flow. The San Pedro drains a northerly-trending basin of 4,483 square miles, of which 696 are in Mexico and 3,787 in Arizona. Several questions arise in the consideration of a rational management plan: what is the necessity for protection of ephemeral flow quality when the channel consists of a dry wash much of the year, where there is little aquatic or wildlife to protect, and where occasional flow during flood conditions is put to little use by humans; and where and how do we use the ephemeral flow it is indeed decided to utilize it. Such questions as these form the basis of this discussion in an effort to bring out the point that water quality problems of ephemeral flow in arid areas differ from those in the humid zone. It is argued that in between the extremes of prohibiting or treating all runoff or eliminating all sources of pollution, there is actually little that can be done to control all sources of pollution in this typical arid stream, despite the fact that standards, for the most part unattainable, have been set for this flow.

From the Proceedings of the 1978 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 14-15, 1978, Flagstaff, Arizona / Wastewater reuse options for the Phoenix area include: agricultural irrigation, fish and wildlife enhancement, ground water recharge, industrial processing and coiling water, recreation, cooling water for power generation stations, and exchanging effluent for additional water supplies. Consideration is given to effluent reuse potential as a commodity to exchange for water suitable for domestic water supply. This exchange would result in yet additional reuses of the water as title to the effluent could be assured by contracts and agreements.

År 2018 ska betydelsen av biologisk mångfald och värdet av ekosystemtjänster vara allmänt kända och integreras i ekonomiska ställningstaganden, politiska avväganden och andra beslut i samhället där så är relevant och skäligt. Så lyder ett av etappmålet som beslutades av regeringen år 2012. Idag vet vi att endast delar av målet kommer kunna nås. Denna studie omfattar en kartläggning av begreppet ekosystemtjänst i Sveriges samtliga översiktsplaner och fördjupade översiktsplaner. Vidare har en granskning av tre bostadsbyggnadsprojekt i Stockholms län genomförts, där ekosystemtjänster i planeringen från översiktsplan till genomförande varit fokuspunkt. Av studiens första del, kartläggning av begreppet, framgick det att 116 av 290 kommuner har använt begreppet ekosystemtjänst i sin översiktsplan. De senaste tre åren är det totalt fler antagna översiktsplaner där begreppet behandlas än utan. I studiens andra del granskades översiktsplaner, planhandlingar och genomförandeavtal från projekt i Täby, Nacka och Haninge kommun. Granskningen är baserad på textanalys och platsbesök, resultatet visade att kommunerna har en hög ambition gällande arbetet med ekosystemtjänster. Det finns samband mellan visioner i översiktsplan och bestämmelser i detaljplan. I avtalen för genomförandet av detaljplanerna binds exploatörerna till att arbeta efter gestaltningsprogram och hållbarhetsprogram vilka reglerar hänsynstagandet av ekosystemtjänster. Begreppet ekosystemtjänst används för att visa den nytta människan får från naturens arbete. Vi är beroende av att ekosystemen fortsätter producera tjänster, de är livsviktiga för vår folkhälsa och vårt välbefinnande. Ett gemensamt arbete och hänsynsfullt nyttjande behövs för att säkerställa ekosystemtjänsterna. Det kan resultera i stora samhällsvinster att bevara, utveckla och nyskapa tätortsnära natur och grönområden. Att integrera ekosystemtjänster i den fysiska planeringen är ett steg på vägen. Översiktsplaneringen visar inriktningen för kommunens samhällsplanering och konturerna av den framtida fysiska strukturen, den vägleder kommande detaljplaner och bygglov. Översiktsplanen spelar en nyckelroll för ekosystemtjänsternas framtid eftersom det där finns stora möjligheter att belysa deras mycket betydelsefulla värde. För att uppnå visionerna i översiktsplaneringen krävs möjlighet att förverkliga dessa i detaljplanen. För att säkra ekosystemtjänsternas producerande förmåga krävs en tydlig och ändamålsenlig lagstiftning. Kunskapen och medvetenheten om dess livsviktiga förmåga måste öka. Alla måste se sin del i det gemensamma ansvaret och arbeta för ett hållbart samhälle. / In 2018 the meaning of biodiversity and the value of ecosystem services should be general knowledge and integrated into economical standpoints, political considerations and other decisions where relevant and reasonable. This is one of the milestone targets that the Swedish government decided in 2012. We know today that only parts of this target will be reached. This study includes a survey regarding the concept of ecosystem service in Sweden, all the local authority comprehensive planning, and an examination of three housing projects in Stockholm’s county where ecosystem services were the focal point during the comprehensive planning. In the first part of the study, which concentrates on surveying the concept of ecosystem services, it can be shown that 116 of 290 municipalities have been using the concept in their local authority comprehensive planning. Furthermore, the concept is used more often than not during the last three years in local authority comprehensive planning. In the second part of the study the outline planning was examined, plan handlings and implementation contracts from projects in Täby, Nacka and Haninge municipality. The research was based on text analysis and on-site inspection. The results from the research showed that the municipalities have a high ambition regarding working with ecosystem services, and that there exist a correlation between the visions in the local authority comprehensive planning and regulations in the detailed developed plan. In the agreement the developers are bound to work according to implementation contracts and sustainability program which regulate the considerations of ecosystem services. The concept of ecosystem services is used to show which benefits we humans receive from nature’s work. We are dependent on continual ecosystem services, which are also essential to the public health and wellbeing. Joint effort and a considerate use of ecosystem services is needed to keep them intact. It can result in large profit for society to preserve, develop and recreate nature and green areas in population centers. To integrate ecosystem services in the physical planning is a step in the right direction. The local authority comprehensive planning show the direction for the municipality’s community planning, and the outline of the future physical structure, it also serves to guide upcoming detailed development plans and building acts. The local authority comprehensive planning plays a key part in the ecosystem services future, since its importance can be illustrated within. To reach the visions of the local authority comprehensive planning and the opportunity to actualize it in the detailed development plan is required. To secure the continued functionality of the ecosystem services, a clear and purposive legislation is required. An increase in knowledge and awareness of ecosystem services is essential, and everyone must see their part in the in our common responsibility and work toward a sustainable society.

Esta dissertação trata do processo de planejamento urbano no Brasil e da institucionalização do planejamento urbano integrado no país e, principalmente, no Rio Grande do Sul. O objeto da pesquisa é a atuação do Serviço Federal de Habitação e Urbanismo, o SERFHAU, no estado. O órgão foi criado com o objetivo de conferir assistência técnica em questões ligadas ao planejamento urbano a estados e municípios brasileiros. O SERFHAU, durante seu período de existência, de 1964 a 1975, incentivou a abordagem de aspectos econômicos, físicos, sociais e institucionais do planejamento urbano e a integração dos planos nos níveis municipal, regional e federal. Apesar de a autarquia ter colaborado com a implementação da metodologia interdisciplinar na elaboração dos planos, sua atuação foi diferente nas diversas regiões do Brasil. No Rio Grande do Sul, ainda se desconhece quais ações e programas o SERFHAU apoiou e participou ou, mesmo, se foi protagonista na institucionalização do planejamento urbano integrado. Desta forma, a pergunta que norteou a realização da pesquisa foi: “Qual foi o papel que o SERFHAU desempenhou no Rio Grande do Sul?”. Para responder à questão, formulou-se a hipótese de que, no estado, já havia uma estrutura de planejamento urbano consolidada antes da criação do órgão e, por isso, o SERFHAU teria tido uma função solidificadora do planejamento urbano integrado. Para confirmar ou refutar a afirmação, resgatou-se a experiência da autarquia federal na região através de relatórios anuais divulgados pela Secretaria de Obras Públicas do Rio Grande do Sul, além de boletins publicados pelo próprio SERFHAU, bem como anais e programas de cursos e seminários promovidos por ele. A análise deste material auxiliou a esclarecer a efetiva atuação do SERFHAU junto às municipalidades gaúchas e à Secretaria de Obras Públicas e, portanto, sua participação no processo de planejamento urbano do Rio Grande do Sul. / This dissertation deals with the process of urban planning in Brazil and the institutionalization of comprehensive planning in the country and, particularly, in Rio Grande do Sul. The object of the research is the role of the Federal Habitation and Urbanism Service, SERFHAU, in the state. The organ was created with the purpose of providing Brazilian states and municipalities with technical assistance about issues regarding urban planning. During its period of existence, from 1964 to 1975, SERFHAU endorsed the outlook of economical, geographical, social and institutional aspects of urban planning and the integration of plans in the municipal, regional and national level. Although this autarky collaborated with the implementation of an interdisciplinary methodology in the elaboration of plans, its focus was different in each region of Brazil. In Rio Grande do Sul, it is still unknown which measures and programs SERFHAU supported and, moreover, if it was a protagonist in the institutionalization of comprehensive planning. In this sense, the question that guided the execution of the research was “What was SERFHAU's role in Rio Grande do Sul?”. To answer that question, a hypothesis was conceived that there already was an operative urban planning structure in the state before the organ's creation and, for that reason, SERFHAU would have had a strengthening role in comprehensive planning. To confirm or refute this statement, the experience of federal autarkies in Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through annual briefings publicized by the Secretariat of Public Construction of Rio Grande do Sul, besides reports issued by SERFHAU itself, as well as annals, courses and seminars programs promoted by the autarky. The analysis of this material helped clarifying the effective role SERFHAU played in the state's municipalities and in the Secretariat of Public Construction and, therefore, its part in the process of urban planning in Rio Grande do Sul.

Esta dissertação trata do processo de planejamento urbano no Brasil e da institucionalização do planejamento urbano integrado no país e, principalmente, no Rio Grande do Sul. O objeto da pesquisa é a atuação do Serviço Federal de Habitação e Urbanismo, o SERFHAU, no estado. O órgão foi criado com o objetivo de conferir assistência técnica em questões ligadas ao planejamento urbano a estados e municípios brasileiros. O SERFHAU, durante seu período de existência, de 1964 a 1975, incentivou a abordagem de aspectos econômicos, físicos, sociais e institucionais do planejamento urbano e a integração dos planos nos níveis municipal, regional e federal. Apesar de a autarquia ter colaborado com a implementação da metodologia interdisciplinar na elaboração dos planos, sua atuação foi diferente nas diversas regiões do Brasil. No Rio Grande do Sul, ainda se desconhece quais ações e programas o SERFHAU apoiou e participou ou, mesmo, se foi protagonista na institucionalização do planejamento urbano integrado. Desta forma, a pergunta que norteou a realização da pesquisa foi: “Qual foi o papel que o SERFHAU desempenhou no Rio Grande do Sul?”. Para responder à questão, formulou-se a hipótese de que, no estado, já havia uma estrutura de planejamento urbano consolidada antes da criação do órgão e, por isso, o SERFHAU teria tido uma função solidificadora do planejamento urbano integrado. Para confirmar ou refutar a afirmação, resgatou-se a experiência da autarquia federal na região através de relatórios anuais divulgados pela Secretaria de Obras Públicas do Rio Grande do Sul, além de boletins publicados pelo próprio SERFHAU, bem como anais e programas de cursos e seminários promovidos por ele. A análise deste material auxiliou a esclarecer a efetiva atuação do SERFHAU junto às municipalidades gaúchas e à Secretaria de Obras Públicas e, portanto, sua participação no processo de planejamento urbano do Rio Grande do Sul. / This dissertation deals with the process of urban planning in Brazil and the institutionalization of comprehensive planning in the country and, particularly, in Rio Grande do Sul. The object of the research is the role of the Federal Habitation and Urbanism Service, SERFHAU, in the state. The organ was created with the purpose of providing Brazilian states and municipalities with technical assistance about issues regarding urban planning. During its period of existence, from 1964 to 1975, SERFHAU endorsed the outlook of economical, geographical, social and institutional aspects of urban planning and the integration of plans in the municipal, regional and national level. Although this autarky collaborated with the implementation of an interdisciplinary methodology in the elaboration of plans, its focus was different in each region of Brazil. In Rio Grande do Sul, it is still unknown which measures and programs SERFHAU supported and, moreover, if it was a protagonist in the institutionalization of comprehensive planning. In this sense, the question that guided the execution of the research was “What was SERFHAU's role in Rio Grande do Sul?”. To answer that question, a hypothesis was conceived that there already was an operative urban planning structure in the state before the organ's creation and, for that reason, SERFHAU would have had a strengthening role in comprehensive planning. To confirm or refute this statement, the experience of federal autarkies in Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through annual briefings publicized by the Secretariat of Public Construction of Rio Grande do Sul, besides reports issued by SERFHAU itself, as well as annals, courses and seminars programs promoted by the autarky. The analysis of this material helped clarifying the effective role SERFHAU played in the state's municipalities and in the Secretariat of Public Construction and, therefore, its part in the process of urban planning in Rio Grande do Sul.

Esta dissertação trata do processo de planejamento urbano no Brasil e da institucionalização do planejamento urbano integrado no país e, principalmente, no Rio Grande do Sul. O objeto da pesquisa é a atuação do Serviço Federal de Habitação e Urbanismo, o SERFHAU, no estado. O órgão foi criado com o objetivo de conferir assistência técnica em questões ligadas ao planejamento urbano a estados e municípios brasileiros. O SERFHAU, durante seu período de existência, de 1964 a 1975, incentivou a abordagem de aspectos econômicos, físicos, sociais e institucionais do planejamento urbano e a integração dos planos nos níveis municipal, regional e federal. Apesar de a autarquia ter colaborado com a implementação da metodologia interdisciplinar na elaboração dos planos, sua atuação foi diferente nas diversas regiões do Brasil. No Rio Grande do Sul, ainda se desconhece quais ações e programas o SERFHAU apoiou e participou ou, mesmo, se foi protagonista na institucionalização do planejamento urbano integrado. Desta forma, a pergunta que norteou a realização da pesquisa foi: “Qual foi o papel que o SERFHAU desempenhou no Rio Grande do Sul?”. Para responder à questão, formulou-se a hipótese de que, no estado, já havia uma estrutura de planejamento urbano consolidada antes da criação do órgão e, por isso, o SERFHAU teria tido uma função solidificadora do planejamento urbano integrado. Para confirmar ou refutar a afirmação, resgatou-se a experiência da autarquia federal na região através de relatórios anuais divulgados pela Secretaria de Obras Públicas do Rio Grande do Sul, além de boletins publicados pelo próprio SERFHAU, bem como anais e programas de cursos e seminários promovidos por ele. A análise deste material auxiliou a esclarecer a efetiva atuação do SERFHAU junto às municipalidades gaúchas e à Secretaria de Obras Públicas e, portanto, sua participação no processo de planejamento urbano do Rio Grande do Sul. / This dissertation deals with the process of urban planning in Brazil and the institutionalization of comprehensive planning in the country and, particularly, in Rio Grande do Sul. The object of the research is the role of the Federal Habitation and Urbanism Service, SERFHAU, in the state. The organ was created with the purpose of providing Brazilian states and municipalities with technical assistance about issues regarding urban planning. During its period of existence, from 1964 to 1975, SERFHAU endorsed the outlook of economical, geographical, social and institutional aspects of urban planning and the integration of plans in the municipal, regional and national level. Although this autarky collaborated with the implementation of an interdisciplinary methodology in the elaboration of plans, its focus was different in each region of Brazil. In Rio Grande do Sul, it is still unknown which measures and programs SERFHAU supported and, moreover, if it was a protagonist in the institutionalization of comprehensive planning. In this sense, the question that guided the execution of the research was “What was SERFHAU's role in Rio Grande do Sul?”. To answer that question, a hypothesis was conceived that there already was an operative urban planning structure in the state before the organ's creation and, for that reason, SERFHAU would have had a strengthening role in comprehensive planning. To confirm or refute this statement, the experience of federal autarkies in Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through annual briefings publicized by the Secretariat of Public Construction of Rio Grande do Sul, besides reports issued by SERFHAU itself, as well as annals, courses and seminars programs promoted by the autarky. The analysis of this material helped clarifying the effective role SERFHAU played in the state's municipalities and in the Secretariat of Public Construction and, therefore, its part in the process of urban planning in Rio Grande do Sul.

The national spatial planning guidelines and the subsequent legal regulation in the Natural Resources Act and the Environmental Code has been a part of the Swedish planning system for almost 40 years. In the recent years, critics have claimed that the regulations are outdated and does not work the way it was intended. This paper examines closer why it is perceived that the regulations does not work, with a focus on how the national interests are managed in the municipal planning. Why is the national interests not applied in the municipal planning as intended? Is the error in the system or in the implementation of it? The aim of this essay is to study the gap between theory and practice by studying how the land management provisions in the Environmental Code is applied in five selected municipalities. The aim is also to find interesting issues for futher studies of the topic. The problem is specified as the differense between how the legal clauses are applied and how they were intended to be applied. Amongst other aspects, the essay studies how the organisation of the municipality and the political governing affects the practice. Three methods is used. Intervention theory is used to interpret the the Environmental Code’s land management provisions, comparative analysis to identify factors which are likely to affect the municipal planning and qualitative inteview to attain deeper knowledge about how the planning is implemented in the municipalities. The land management provisions of the Environmental Code’s 3 and 4 chapters can be traced directly to the national spatial planning during the 70’s and 80’s. Since the national spatial planning until today, several system models have been used to visualize the procedure and coordination between different public agencies. In chapter 5 an intervention theory is summarized and two new models are created. Chapter 6 descibes how the five selected municipalities have specially accounted for the national interest in the comprehensive plan. Three factors are studied; how the national interests are accounted for in the comprehensive plan; if all land management provisions are accounted for; and if the municipality describes how they intend to protect the national intresets from palpable damage. The study shows that three of the municipalities specially account for the national interests in a seperated chapter or annex. Two of the municipalities acount for all management provisions and three of the municipalites descibes at least one of the protection of the national intrerest in detail. Thus, two of the municipalities are assessed to have a complete knowledge base in the comprehensive plan for continuing working with the national intrerest in detailed planning and building permit processing. (94) 7 In chapter 7 a number of factors which are believed to affect the municipalities way of account for the national interests are compared through comparative analysis. Factors such as population, access to enhanced knowledge base from a national agency and political governance is studied and compared between the municipalities. Chapter 8 presents interviews with officals and politicians in the selected municipalities and county administration. From the interviews a number of interesting topics are detected. A good knowledge and planning base is very important for the municipal planning, and the comprehensive plan is important for the land management provisions to work the way they were intended. Chapter 9 presents the conclusion of the essay. The first conclusion is that there are a lack of guidelines in the municipalities’ comprehensive plans for how to process detailed plans and building permits in areas of national interest. The second conclusion is that some national interests are descibed better than others in the comprehensive plan. The third conclusion is that the couty board is affecting the way the municipalities view the national interests. / Den fysiska riksplaneringens riktlinjer och den senare lagregleringen av dem i NRL och MB har varit en del av det svenska planeringssystemet i snart 40 år. De senaste åren har kritik riktats mot att systemet är föråldrat och inte fungerar på det vis det var tänkt. Denna uppsats undersöker närmare uppfattningen av att hushållningsbestämmelserna inte fungerar, med fokus på hur man i den kommunala planeringen hanterar riksintressena. Varför fungerar inte planeringen av riksintressena som tänkt? Ligger felet i systemet eller i tillämpningen av det? Syftet med denna uppsats är att studera vad som orsakar glappet mellan teori och praktik, genom att studera hur hushållningsbestämmelserna tillämpas i fem utvalda kommuner. Syftet med studien är också att hitta intressanta frågeställningar för vidare studier av ämnet. Problemet preciseras till skillnaden mellan tillämpningen av lagstiftningen och hur det var tänkt att tillämpas. I uppsatsen studeras bland annat hur kommuners organisation och politiska styrning påverkar tillämpningen. Tre metoder används. Interventionsteori för att tolka hushållningsbestämmelserna, komparativ analys för att identifiera faktorer som kan påverka kommunernas arbete med riksintressen och kvalitativ intervju för att uppnå fördjupad kunskap om kommunernas arbete. Hushållningsbestämmelserna i miljöbalkens 3 och 4 kapitel kan härledas direkt till riksplaneringen under 70- och 80-talet. Naturresurslagen trädde i kraft 1987, och hushållningsbestämmelserna överfördes oförändrade till Miljöbalken 1998. Flera modeller har används för att visualisera hur samordningen mellan myndigheterna ska ske, både under fysiska riksplaneringen och under senaste året. I kapitel 5 sammanfattas interventionsteorin och två systemmodeller konstrueras. I kapitel 6 beskrivs hur kommunernas särskilda redovisning av riksintressen i översiktsplanen. Tre faktorer studeras: hur riksintressena redovisas; om samtliga hushållningsbestämmelser redovisas; om kommunen beskriver hur säkerställandet av riksintresseanspråken ska ske. Studien av översiktsplanerna visar att tre av kommunerna redovisar riksintressen i ett särskilt kapitel eller bilaga. Två av kommunerna redovisar samtliga hushållningsbestämmelser och tre av kommunerna beskriver säkerställandet av åtminstone något riksintresse mer utförligt. Två av kommunerna bedöms ha ett i huvudsak fullständigt underlag i översiktsplanen för att arbeta vidare med riksintressen i planeringen och bygglovshandläggning. I kapitel 7 jämförs kommunerna i ett antal faktorer som tros påverka hur kommunen redovisat riksintressen i översiktsplanen. (94) 5 Faktorer som invånarantal, tillgång till fördjupat kunskapsunderlag och politisk styrning studeras och jämförs mellan kommunerna. I kapitel 8 redovisas intervjuer med tjänstemän och politiker i de studerade kommunerna samt de berörda länsstyrelserna. Från intervjuerna identifieras ett antal teman som viktiga att belysa. Kunskaps- och planeringsunderlaget är mycket viktigt för kommunernas planering, och översiktsplaneringen är viktig för att riksintressesystemet ska fungera. I kapitel 9 redovisas slutsatser. Slutsatsen är att det finns brister i kommunernas översiktsplaner när det gäller översiktsplanen som vägledande dokument för hur kommunen ska arbeta med områden av riksintresse i detaljplanering och bygglovshandläggning; att det finns skillnad i hur utförligt de olika riksintressena redovisas; att den kommunala organisationen kan påverka hur väl riksintressen redovisas och att det kan finnas samband mellan hur länsstyrelsen presenterar sin roll och hur kommunerna ser på sin roll.

This dissertation examines the quality of hazard mitigation elements in a coastal, hazard prone state. I answer two questions. First, in a state with a strong mandate for hazard mitigation elements in comprehensive plans, does plan quality differ among county governments? Second, if such variation exists, what drives this variation? My research focuses primarily on Florida’s 35 coastal counties, which are all at risk for hurricane and flood hazards, and all fall under Florida’s mandate to have a comprehensive plan that includes a hazard mitigation element. Research methods included document review to rate the hazard mitigation elements of all 35 coastal county plans and subsequent analysis against demographic and hazard history factors. Following this, I conducted an electronic, nationwide survey of planning professionals and academics, informed by interviews of planning leaders in Florida counties. I found that hazard mitigation element quality varied widely among the 35 Florida coastal counties, but were close to a normal distribution. No plans were of exceptionally high quality. Overall, historical hazard effects did not correlate with hazard mitigation element quality, but some demographic variables that are associated with urban populations did. The variance in hazard mitigation element quality indicates that while state law may mandate, and even prescribe, hazard mitigation in local comprehensive plans, not all plans will result in equal, or even adequate, protection for people. Furthermore, the mixed correlations with demographic variables representing social and disaster vulnerability shows that, at least at the county level, vulnerability to hazards does not have a strong effect on hazard mitigation element quality. From a theory perspective, my research is significant because it compares assumptions about vulnerability based on hazard history and demographics to plan quality. The only vulnerability-related variables that appeared to correlate, and at that mildly so, with hazard mitigation element quality, were those typically representing more urban areas. In terms of the theory of Neo-Institutionalism and theories related to learning organizations, my research shows that planning departments appear to have set norms and rules of operating that preclude both significant public involvement and learning from prior hazard events.

The recurring debate on regional administration and what responsibilities it should have has in a Swedish context been discussed in media and committees over the years. Little has been discussed around the possibilities of strengthening pre-existing interregional cooperation even though there is a scholarly thought of soft space as a definition to describe these types of cooperation and how they might evolve.   A case study has been performed on the interregional health care agency Södra Sjukvårdsregionen (SSR) which is one of six Swedish regional health care agencies (sjukvårdsregioner). SSR serves the regions Scania, Blekinge, Kronoberg and southern Halland and was constituted in 1960 based on central place theory to resolve spatial planning problems in the context of regional public health.   In the analytical context of soft space and central place theory, results have been provided by interviewing representatives working within SSR and examining documents. SSR has been defined as a structure of governance which consists of formal government actors.    The results indicate that the concept of soft space as described in literature supports spatial planning of specialized regional health care. However, the concept of soft space has little impact on spatial planning with respect to comprehensive planning (Översiktsplan) as illustrated by documentation from Västra Sjukvårdsregionen and the case of Norra Älvsborgs Länssjukhus (NÄL). / Debatten om svenska regionindelningar och vilken rådighet regionerna borde ha har diskuterats i medier och statliga utredningar genom åren. Däremot har möjligheterna att stärka befintliga interregionala samarbeten diskuterats mycket lite, även om det finns ett vetenskapligt underlag för soft space som ett samlande begrepp för att beskriva dessa typer av samarbeten och hur de vidareutvecklas. En fallstudie har genomförts på Södra Sjukvårdsregionen (SSR), som är en av Sveriges sex sjukvårdsregioner. SSR betjänar regionerna Skåne, Blekinge, Kronoberg och södra Halland och bildades 1960 baserat på centralortsteorin som ett sätt att lösa problem med fysisk planering i samband med regional sjuk- och hälsovård. Representanter som arbetar inom ramen för SSR:s verksamhet har intervjuats och dokument har granskats i termer av soft space och centralortsteorin. SSR har definierats som en struktur som bereder ärenden rörande fysisk planering som är de ingående regionernas rådighet. Resultaten indikerar att konceptet soft space som beskrivs i litteraturen stöder fysisk planering av specialiserad regional hälsovård. Konceptet soft space har dock liten inverkan på fysisk planering av omfattande skala (Översiktsplan), vilket belyses av dokumentationen från Västra Sjukvårdsregionen och fallet med Norra Älvsborgs Länssjukhus (NÄL).