Zoning
Zoning refers to the planning of land use. In Finland, zoning is governed by the Land Use and Building Act. A guide for local residents on planning issues (3.41 MB, pdf, in Finnish only).
The general objective of the Land Use and Building Act is:
- organise land use and construction to create the conditions for a good living environment
- promote ecologically, economically, socially and culturally sustainable development
- ensuring everyone’s participation in the preparation of issues, the quality and interactivity of planning, the diversity of expertise and open communication
A local detailed plan is drawn up for the detailed organisation, construction and development of land use. The local detailed plan defines for each area, among other things, the use, building sites, amount of buildings, type of construction, street connections, parking, play and recreation areas. Building permits are granted on the basis of the local detailed plan or a master plan drawn up specifically for this purpose. The city of Loimaa is responsible for drawing up local detailed plans and master plans. Local detailed plans with a significant impact are approved by the Loimaa City Council, and those with a minor impact by the Loimaa City Goverment.
Regional planning for the Loimaa area is the responsibility of the Regional Council of Southwest Finland.
Map system
The planning system is three-tiered. It consists of a regional plan, a master plan and a local detailed plan. The regional plan guides the master planning of municipalities, while the master plan guides local detailed plans , which ultimately serve as guidelines for building.
Planning review
According to Section 7 of the Land Use and Building Act, a municipality must at least once a year prepare a review of planning matters pending and soon to be pending in the municipality and the county council.