Context and systems: thinking more broadly about effectiveness in strategic environmental assessment in China

Olivia Bina, Context and systems: thinking more broadly about effectiveness in strategic environmental assessment in China, Environmental Management, 42, 2008, p. 717-733.

China is an illustrative—and extreme—case of the difficulties of balancing the pursuit of economic, social, and environmental objectives. In 2003 it adopted a form of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for its plans and programs (referred to here as PEIA) with the aim of moving towards greater environmental sustainability. The literature has explored primarily the issue of methods and legal procedures. This research contributes to the analysis of PEIA through a different set of interpretative lens. Drawing on recent developments in the theory and practice of SEA, Olivia Bina proposes a conceptualization of SEA effectiveness that combines direct and incremental impacts, and a need for context-specific systems as a way to focus on the relationship between assessment, planning, and their context, and thus maximize effectiveness. This framework underpins the analysis of China’s experience, which Olivia Bina explores with the help of interview material and the literature.

The result is an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of PEIA in terms of its purpose, assessment concept, process, and methods. The detailed analysis of six aspects of the context helps explain the origin of such shortcomings, and identify opportunities for its improvement. Olivia Bina concludes defining elements of a context-specific system for SEA that seeks to maximize the opportunity for incremental, as well as direct, effectiveness in China.

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Publications of Olivia Bina

Sebastien Goulard

Ph.D. in political science (EHESS, Paris); M.A. in social sciences (EHESS, Paris); M.A. in international relations (IRIS, Paris), B.A. (Hons) in international political studies (ESE - Nottingham Trent University)

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OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Sebastien Goulard (November 7, 2012). Context and systems: thinking more broadly about effectiveness in strategic environmental assessment in China. URBACHINA. Retrieved March 25, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/v29v


2 thoughts on “Context and systems: thinking more broadly about effectiveness in strategic environmental assessment in China

  1. HN.ZHU

    城市商业结构在中国的城市建设和持续发展已到了不仅局限于思考和探讨的阶段,而且到了迫在眉睫的纳入城市的新规划或改造规划的阶段。尤其是生鲜食品供应链的分层结构。
    中国商务部和农业部在2006年推出了农产品批发市场的“双百”计划。近几年,农产品批发市场也成了中国城市发展的新一轮推动点。
    希望就此问题展开一行讨论。

    Reply
    1. Chi-Han Ai

      您好,
      我是Urbachina团队的艾之涵,很谢谢您的回复,我会将您的想法传达给其他成员,如有新的消息会再和您联系,若您有农产品批发市场与中国城市发展的相关看法与研究文章,也请您不吝提供资料。再次谢谢您所提供的意见。
      之涵敬上

      Reply

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