This unique comprehensive network realises almost full spatial coverage of the catchment area of the Elbe and even neighbouring regions. By this the aims of EU water policies and the EU spatial planning perspective can be obtained under this INTERREG III B project. National and regional partners that are responsible for spatial planning, water management and agriculture assure that the far reaching integrated transnational approach will be implemented in many different regions at the same time.
The added value of the INTERREG project ELLA is that none of the regions would be able to achieve as extensive improvements in risk prevention as they do in the common INTERREG approach. Isolated solutions of upstream and downstream regions do not lead to sufficient preventive measures.
With ELLA, especially regarding the extension of the EU in 2004, an important step will be taken for adjusting the planning strategies and policies in the field of risk prevention in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary and Austria. For a positive development of economically disadvantaged risk areas information on risk, improvements of safety standards and adapted land use planning will be achieved.
The flood disasters dramatically showed that flood prevention and common management approaches have to be improved, particularly regarding long term spatial planning. Above all this transnational co-operation of spatial and sector planning, water management, agriculture and forestry is necessary. All existing guidelines, flood action plans and others must be integrated in one approach.
The main tasks of the ELLA project are the promotion of integrated water management and its implementation in spatial and regional planning.
The project is being substantially supported through a co-financing by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing.
