Land Use Planning

Land use planning creates preconditions for good living environment. Well-designed planning solutions and functioning infrastructure create well-being and promote sustainable development.

The use of lands is generally regulated in the Land Use and Building Act. The Act contains provisions on planning of buildings and areas as well as construction and use of them. National land use objectives guide planning in municipalities. In addition to the national objectives, the land use planning system contains regional plans, local master plans and local detailed plans. The content requirements of each planning level  are  listed with binding effect in the Land Use and Building Act. The Land Use and Building Decree includes more detailed provisions on plans. Land use is guided also by different regional and municipal strategies, land policies and building ordinances. Municipalities’ land policies refer to objectives and actions that create conditions for the development of communities.