SpringerLink
Log in

Development of a Methodology for Strategic Environmental Assessment: Application to the Assessment of Golf Course Installation Policy in Taiwan

  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Some countries, including Taiwan, have adopted strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to assess and modify proposed policies, plans, and programs (PPPs) in the planning phase for pursuing sustainable development. However, there were only some sketchy steps focusing on policy assessment in the system of Taiwan. This study aims to develop a methodology for SEA in Taiwan to enhance the effectiveness associated with PPPs. The proposed methodology comprises an SEA procedure involving PPP management and assessment in various phases, a sustainable assessment framework, and an SEA management system. The SEA procedure is devised based on the theoretical considerations by systems thinking and the regulative requirements in Taiwan. The positive and negative impacts on ecology, society, and economy are simultaneously considered in the planning (including policy generation and evaluation), implementation, and control phases of the procedure. This study used the analytic hierarchy process, Delphi technique, and systems analysis to develop a sustainable assessment framework. An SEA management system was built based on geographic information system software to process spatial, attribute, and satellite image data during the assessment procedure. The proposed methodology was applied in the SEA of golf course installation policy in 2001 as a case study, which was the first SEA in Taiwan. Most of the 82 existing golf courses in 2001 were installed on slope lands and caused a serious ecological impact. Assessment results indicated that 15 future golf courses installed on marginal lands (including buffer zones, remedied lands, and wastelands) were acceptable because the comprehensive environmental (ecological, social, and economic) assessment value was better based on environmental characteristics and management regulations of Taiwan. The SEA procedure in the planning phase for this policy was completed but the implementation phase of this policy was not begun because the related legislation procedure could not be arranged due to a few senators’ resistance. A self-review of the control phase was carried out in 2006 using this methodology. Installation permits for 12 courses on slope lands were terminated after 2001 and then 27 future courses could be installed on marginal lands. The assessment value of this policy using the data on ecological, social, and economic conditions from 2006 was higher than that using the data from 2001. The analytical results illustrate that the proposed methodology can be used to effectively and efficiently assist the related authorities for SEA.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arce R, Gullón N (2000) The application of strategic environmental assessment to sustainability assessment of infrastructure development. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 20:393–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao CK, Lu YS, Shang JC (2004) Framework and operational procedure for implementing strategic environmental assessment in China. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 24:27–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briffett C, Obbard JP, Mackee J (2003) Towards SEA for the develo** nations of Asia. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 23:171–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaker A, El-Fadl K, Chamas L, Hatjian B (2006) A review of strategic environmental assessment in 12 selected countries. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 26:15–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CH, Chiou IJ (2008) Remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated farm soil using turnover and attenuation method guided with a sustainable management framework. Environmental Engineering Science 25:11–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CH, Liaw SL, Liu WL (2004) Development of SEA method in phases of air resource and waste (III). National Science Council, NSC-92-2621-Z-253-001. Nanya Institute of Technology, Chungli, Taiwan, ROC [in Chinese]

  • Chen CH, Liaw SL, Liu WL (2005) Assessment and management of environmental sustainability: a study on relationship among environmental carrying capacity, cumulative impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, and total quantity control in phases of air resource and waste (I). In: Proceedings of Technology and Policy of Sustainable Development Conference 2005, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC, pp 172–173 [in Chinese]

  • Chen CH, Liu WL, Leu HG (2006a) Sustainable water quality management framework and a strategy planning system for a river basin. Environmental Management 38:952–973

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CH, Liaw SL, Tung, CP, Liu WL (2006b) A study of environmental carrying capacity, cumulative impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, and total load control for air resources and waste. Fields (II). National Science Council, NSC-94-2621-Z-253-001. Nanya Institute of Technology, Chungli, Taiwan, ROC [in Chinese]

  • Dalkmann H, Herrera RJ, Bongardt D (2004) Analytical strategic environmental assessment (ANSEA) develo** a new approach to SEA. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 24:385–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldmann L (1998) The European commission’s proposal for a strategic environmental assessment directive: expanding the scope of environmental impact assessment in Europe. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 18:3–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finnveden G, Nilsson M, Johansson J, Persson A, Moberg A, Carlsson T (2003) Strategic environmental assessment methodologies—applications within the energy sector. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 23:91–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer TB (2003) Strategic environmental assessment in post-modern times. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 23:155–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison C, Davies C (2002) Conserving biodiversity that matters: practitioners’ perspectives on brownfield development and urban nature conservation in London. Journal of Environmental Management 65:95–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedo D, Bina O (1999) Strategic environmental assessment of hydrological and irrigation plans in Castilla y Leon, Spain. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 19:259–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maryland State Government (1997) Managing for results guidebook. Maryland State Government, Annapolis

    Google Scholar 

  • Noble BF (2002) The Canadian experience with SEA and sustainability. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 22:3–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Partidário MR, Arts J (2005) Exploring the concept of strategic environmental assessment follow-up. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 23:246–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Partidário MR, Fischer TB (2004) Follow-up in current SEA understanding. In: Morrison-Saunder A, Arts J (eds) Assessing impact: handbook of EIA and SEA follow-up. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Risse N, Crowley M, Vincke P, Waaub J (2003) Implementing the European SEA Directive: the member states’ margin of discretion. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 23:453–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe G, Wright G (1999) The Delphi technique as a forecasting tool: issues and analysis. International Journal of Forecasting 15:353–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saaty TL (1980) The analytic hierarchy process. McGraw–Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheperd A, Ortolano L (1996) Strategic environmental assessment for sustainable urban development. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 16:321–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Therivel R (1998) Strategic environmental assessment of development plans in Great Britain. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 18:39–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tung CP (2000) Study on sustainability index of water and land resources (II). National Science Council, NSC-89-2621-Z-002-021. National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC [in Chinese]

  • Tzilivakis J, Broom C, Lewis KA, Tucker P, Drummond C, Cook R (1999) A strategic environmental assessment method for agricultural policy in the UK. Land Use Policy 16:223–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu RS, Li CT, Song LK, Lin CF, Chen CF, Chen CH, Liaw SL, Tsai HN (2000) Policy environmental impact assessment for the golf course installation policy. National Council on Physical Fitness, Ncpfs-Fac-089-001. National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan, ROC [in Chinese]

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Taiwan, R.O.C., as well as the National Science Council (Contract Nos. NSC-94-2621-Z-253-001 and NSC-95-2621-Z-253-001), Taiwan, R.O.C., for financially supporting this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanya Institute of Technology, 414, Sec. 3, Chung-Shang E. Road, Jungli City, Taoyuan County, 320, Taiwan, ROC

    Ching-Ho Chen & Wei-Lin Liu

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, National Central University, 300, Jhongda Road, Jungli City, Taoyuan County, 320, Taiwan, ROC

    Ray-Shyan Wu

  3. Information Division, National Sceience and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, 9F, 200, Sec. 3, Beisin Road, Sindian City, Taipei County, 231, Taiwan, ROC

    Wen-Ray Su

  4. Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, 1, Sec. 3, Chung-hsiao E. Road, Taipei City, 106, Taiwan, ROC

    Yu-Min Chang

Authors
  1. Ching-Ho Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ray-Shyan Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wei-Lin Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wen-Ray Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yu-Min Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ching-Ho Chen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chen, CH., Wu, RS., Liu, WL. et al. Development of a Methodology for Strategic Environmental Assessment: Application to the Assessment of Golf Course Installation Policy in Taiwan. Environmental Management 43, 166–188 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-008-9222-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-008-9222-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation