Spatial Planning of European Countries Since the 21st Century and Some Comparisons: Take Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands as Examples

The spatial planning in Europe started earlier. During more than one hundred years of development, the spatial planning systems of European countries have been advancing all along. Entering into the 21st century, the European countries have made certain adjustments to their planning systems in order to respond to the changes of the domestic environment and the pressure from globalization. This article reviews the developing history of the European spatial planning, introduces the spatial planning reforms and systems in Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands, summarizes their major characteristics and construction experience, and then discusses their evolution directions and the reference significances to China.