DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTIONS OF EFFECTIVE SEA IN THE UK AND CHINA

This paper presents results of a project, funded by the British Academy, on perceptions of SEA effectiveness in two countries with formal SEA requirements, but with very different planning and decision-making traditions: the UK and China. Similarities and differences are described, based on a questionnaire survey, conducted at two workshops with local and regional authority representatives, private consultants and academics; at Liverpool University (October 2006) and at Nankai University (March 2007). Whilst many similarities in perceptions are found, some differences are established, particularly regarding the SEA process (which Chinese representatives think should be more flexible versus UK representatives who mostly think it should be more rigorous) and regarding current shortcomings (lack of real influence and non-existence of relevant baseline data for China; too much unused baseline data for the UK). Overall, there was a more positive perception of many Chinese respondents regarding SEA's potential to lead to more effective decision making, greater efficiency of tiered decision making and an ability to enable more effective involvement.