Two presentations highlighted how impact assessment and spatial planning can support better decision-making, from European transport corridors to Estonia’s green network.
Hendrikson DGE colleagues participated in IAIA26, the annual conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment, held in Québec City, Canada, from 19 – 22 May 2026.
This year’s conference focused on “Misinformation, Disinformation, Communication, & Impact Assessment”, a timely theme addressing the need for transparent, evidence-based and trusted decision-making in environmental and social assessment.
At IAIA26, Hendrikson DGE contributed to the international discussion with two presentations, both focusing on how impact assessment and spatial planning can help bridge the gap between strategic objectives, environmental knowledge and practical land-use decisions.
Bridging scales in transport corridor planning
Heikki Kalle presented “Bridging Scales: The Role of EIA and SEA in Transport Corridor Planning”, developed together with Charlotta Faith-Ell and Jos Arts.
The presentation explored how Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment can support more sustainable and inclusive transport corridor planning. Drawing on experiences from Estonia, Sweden and the Netherlands, it addressed the challenge of moving beyond individual infrastructure projects towards a more strategic, corridor-level approach.
A key message of the presentation was that large-scale transport infrastructure should not be assessed only as a series of separate projects. Instead, impact assessment can help connect project-level decisions with wider questions of accessibility, regional development, land use, environmental coherence and public legitimacy.
The presentation also highlighted the importance of multi-level governance, early stakeholder involvement and strategic programme-level thinking in infrastructure planning.
Read the presentation slides: Bridging Scales
From spatial concept to binding planning tool
Anni Kurisman presented “Green Network in Estonia: From Spatial Concept to Binding Planning Tool”, focusing on the role of Estonia’s green network in spatial planning and biodiversity impact assessment.
The presentation addressed how Estonia’s green network has evolved from a spatial planning concept into a more substantive planning tool. It explored how green networks can support biodiversity, climate adaptation and recreation – while also asking what is needed for them to guide real land-use decisions.
One of the central messages was that a green network cannot function only as a map layer. To be effective, it needs clearly defined ecological functions, measurable and enforceable conditions, systematic use of ecosystem and connectivity data, and a clear division of responsibility between national and local levels.
The Estonian example shows how biodiversity impact assessment can contribute to stronger planning practice, especially when ecological knowledge is translated into practical and legally meaningful planning tools.
Read the presentation slides: Green Network in Estonia
Connecting knowledge, planning and impact assessment
Together, the two presentations reflected a broader challenge that is central to DGE Group’s work: how to make impact assessment more strategic, transparent and useful for long-term decision-making.
Whether the topic is transport infrastructure or green networks, the underlying question is similar: how can we connect individual decisions with wider environmental, spatial and societal goals?
For DGE Group, participation in IAIA26 was a valuable opportunity to share experience from Estonia, exchange knowledge with the international impact assessment community, and contribute to discussions on more evidence-based and future-oriented planning.