MASTER PLAN AND TOWN PLAN

Master plans provide a foundation and the prerequisites for implementing urban development goals. Such plans specify the directions in which the city will grow, housing, the focal points and reciprocal location of jobs and services, traffic systems and recreational areas. Producing master plans involves wide-ranging surveys and collecting the initial data required for planning.

To facilitate detailed organization, construction and development of individual areas a town plan is drawn up, the purpose of which is to allocate the necessary areas for various functions and to control building and other land use in the manner demanded by local circumstances, cityscape and landscape, good building practice, promotion of the use of existing building stock and any other object of control in the town plan (Land Use Act and Planning and Building Act 50 §).

Town planning regulations are supplemented by a building ordinance approved by the city council. This also serves as a guide when dealing with areas outside the town plan area. The Land Use Act and Planning and Building Act and statute, the legally binding master plan, town plan and the regulations contained in the National Building Code take precedence over the building ordinance.

The planning scheme drawn up annually contains the majority of the important planning locations getting under way.

Plans and projects currently ongoing