15. Land use planning
Contents
15.1 How is land used?
Sometimes, city growth and road construction takes place without a plan, because the demand for new living environments increases too quickly for local and national governments to act accordingly. When urban areas develop in an unplanned fashion, they will encounter a variety of problems: traffic will become slow and unsafe, and services will be found in locations that are not close to their users.
In Finland, city growth and road construction are planned by zoning or land use planning. It affects our lives and living environments in a variety of ways. Every one of us can even take part in the planning of our living environments.
A favela in Brazil. The favelas are slums that have developed on the outskirts of large cities as a result of unplanned construction. As a result, actual streets, water systems and green areas are lacking in these areas.
In Finland, city growth and road construction are planned by zoning or land use planning. It affects our lives and living environments in a variety of ways. Every one of us can even take part in the planning of our living environments.
A favela in Brazil. The favelas are slums that have developed on the outskirts of large cities as a result of unplanned construction. As a result, actual streets, water systems and green areas are lacking in these areas.15.2 What is a good living environment like?
15.3 What is land use planning?
Regional planning and land use planning guide and outline how land areas can be used. Usually, the land use planning policy of a region is focused on fulfilling a certain vision of how a region should be developed.
According to the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, the goal of regional and land use planning is to create the preconditions for good and viable living environments. The goal of good land use planning decisions is to create a society where a harmonious environment and functional traffic systems help to create well-being for citizens while at the sime time promoting sustainable development.
In Finland, land use planning is mostly done on the municipal level. It is legally regulated by the Land Use and Building Act. Zoning maps present the land use planning decisions made in a region. Each of us can also help to develop our living environments by making our desires and fears about the land use of our home region heard.
Land use planning can be used to develop or change the type of construction or industry allowed in a certain region. It can also be used to protect important cultural and natural sites and regions from inhabitation or industry.
According to the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, the goal of regional and land use planning is to create the preconditions for good and viable living environments. The goal of good land use planning decisions is to create a society where a harmonious environment and functional traffic systems help to create well-being for citizens while at the sime time promoting sustainable development.
In Finland, land use planning is mostly done on the municipal level. It is legally regulated by the Land Use and Building Act. Zoning maps present the land use planning decisions made in a region. Each of us can also help to develop our living environments by making our desires and fears about the land use of our home region heard.
Land use planning can be used to develop or change the type of construction or industry allowed in a certain region. It can also be used to protect important cultural and natural sites and regions from inhabitation or industry.
| Stage | Process |
| 1 | The land use planning begins. People concerned are given the chance to make their opinions heard. Various PR and press gatherings are held. |
| 2 | Zoning plans are made visible for all residents. More PR and press gatherings are held. |
| 3 | A zoning plan is selected by the city or municipality government. |
| 4 | The government sends its zoning plan forward to the city or municipality council. |
| 5 | The plan is accepted by the council. If a person disagrees with the validity of the decision, a complaint can be made and sent to the administrative court. |
| 6 | The land use plan becomes legally valid. |
15.4 Different kinds of land use planning
Different kinds of land use planning determine the planning decisions from the regional to the municipal level.
- Regional plans are used to make large-scale planning decisions. Such decisions include the construction of highways and railways.
- General development plans are used in the land use planning of cities and municipalities. For example, parks and inhabited areas are distinguished from each other in development plans.
- Urban area development plans offer precise planning regulations. For example, an urban area development plan can dictate the height and size of buildings allowed in a certain region.
- Some planning decisions, such as construction near river and lake shores, are regulated with special development plans.