ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the methods employed to achieve the aims and objectives of the research. The commonly stated basic objectives of undertaking a cross-national planning study are the advancement of planning theory and the improvement of planning practice. R. Williams recommends restricting the number of countries under investigation in comparative studies to two or three: To make a comparative study of an aspect of planning policy of any complexity becomes extremely difficult to accomplish if more countries are added. The European environmental impact assessment (EIA) Directive applies to a wide range of projects which differ, for example, in their nature and consequently in their environmental effects and their degree of controversy. The EIA process is commonly represented in the literature as a series of iterative steps. Consultation with other authorities and with the public, as well as mitigation of the environmental effects, should take place throughout the process.
