Chapter 2 SURVEYING THE FIELD OF SEA

Document begins: Chapter 2 SURVEYING THE FIELD OF SEA During the last decade, a number of reviews of SEA experience have provided perspectives and background on this evolving field. Some of the key references and findings are described in this chapter. These are both incomplete and continually updated by papers on SEA in conference proceedings and journals. In the last five years in particular, the literature on SEA has expanded rapidly. But much of this simply represents the restatement and recycling of basic premises and themes on SEA. It is much less concerned with new insights or methodological advances. In many respects, SEA practice has run ahead of theory in applying the ideas and tools in a policy or planning context. Not all of this is necessarily called or seen as SEA. Nevertheless, it forms part of a broad and expanding field. For example, during the last decade there has been considerable experimentation and innovation in development planning, urban and rural planning, the development and implementation of national sustainable development strategies and the preparation of poverty reduction strategies. All of these fields have their own literature base1 with much to offer SEA theory and practice (and vice versa). Yet impact ...