Tasks and content (under the former Planning Act)

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1 DENMARK: fact sheet for planning levels REGIONAL, B Danish Town Planning Institute, draft of Planning level Type of plan Illustration of the planning level Overview of the plan Facts Facts Legal basis, policy-makers, competence and binding rules Note: This fact sheet is based on the regional planning that took place under the (former) Planning Act, Consolidated Act No. 763 of 11 September Until 31 December 2006, the regional plan was the coherent, overall type of planning at the regional level. The following political authorities were responsible for regional planning: the Greater Copenhagen Authority, the Bornholm Municipal Council and each of the 10 county councils in the rest of the country. The local government reform that entered into force on 1 January 2007 abolished the counties and the Greater Copenhagen Authority. Denmark is now divided into five administrative regions, and each new region must prepare a regional spatial development plan (see fact sheet REGIONAL A). The 98 new municipalities and the state have taken on most of the former planning tasks of the county councils and the Greater Copenhagen Authority regarding rural districts. The existing regional plans adopted in 2005 have been given legal status as national planning directives until the new municipalities adopt the new municipal plans with new objectives, principles and guidelines for development in rural districts. In 2007, 12 adopted regional plans are in force and for the island of Bornholm, a regional and municipal plan. Together these plans comprise a nationwide framework and a basis for the regulation of land use in rural districts. The guidelines in the 2005 regional plans will be replaced by guidelines in: the new municipal plans to be prepared by the end of 2009; and national planning.

2 Tasks and content (under the former Planning Act) Regional natural areas Regional farming areas Regional planning concretized the national objectives for regional and rural development. A regional plan established the overall objectives for development in a regional planning unit. The key themes in regional planning were urban development and the location of regional functions, the overall transport structure and infrastructure, protection of nature and the environment plus leisure facilities, summer cottage areas and tourism. A regional plan regulated conservation-worthy assets, especially valuable agricultural areas etc. The administration of permits in rural zones was based on regional planning. Since 1989, regional planning had included environmental impact assessment of major projects that are likely to significantly affect the environment. Raw materials areas of regional significance (yellow hatching) indicating the designated purpose when the raw materials have been extracted (natural areas of regional significance, agricultural areas of regional significance, agricultural areas etc.) Environmental impact areas for land designated for activities with special location requirements Noise impact areas for race tracks and shooting ranges Process, duration of validity and public participation (under the former Planning Act) There were two periods of public comment: one on the major issues of the planning to be conducted and one on the regional plan proposal. A report describing the premises on which the plan is based was required to be published along with the plan proposal. This could be done by describing existing conditions, presenting forecasts on expected trends and describing the objectives for development. A regional plan covered a period of 12 years and had to be revised every 4 years.

3 Details of the plan Illustration of the plan Natural areas Agricultural areas Raw materials areas of regional significance (yellow hatching) indicating the designated purpose when the raw materials have been extracted (natural areas of regional significance, agricultural areas of regional significance, agricultural areas etc.) Environmental impact areas for land designated for activities with special location requirements Noise impact areas for race tracks and shooting ranges Characteristics Location of the area Nordjylland County was located in the most northern part of Denmark. The largest city in the County was Aalborg, which is also the third largest city in Denmark. Initial situation Parts of Nordjylland County were classified as peripheral areas in decline and received financial support from the European Union Structural Funds. These areas have relatively high unemployment and many people moving away. The work available is mostly in industry or fisheries. However, other parts of the region, located closest to Aalborg, have knowledgeintensive industry and growth in population and the economy. The knowledge industry largely comprises electronics, which also represents a large potential for development. This region has some of Denmark s best natural areas and attracts many tourists.

4 Changes to legend Natural areas Agricultural areas Raw materials areas of regional significance (yellow hatching) indicating the designated purpose when the raw materials have been extracted (natural areas of regional significance, agricultural areas of regional significance, agricultural areas etc.) Environmental impact areas for land designated for activities with special location requirements

5 Particularities of the procedure and/or content The 2001 regional plan for Nordjylland County primarily focused on: developing the structure of the economy, including infrastructure and tourism; science and development activities; the environment and sustainable development; information technology collaboration; and culture. The objectives adopted by the Nordjylland County Council were: to ensure good living conditions for the population of Nordjylland County and to strengthen business development in the County; to ensure development in balance with nature and the environment to avoid impairing future business opportunities and living conditions; to promote and develop further the competitive strengths of each part of the County; to facilitate the population s access to services, leisure and cultural amenities, educational opportunities and employment; to ensure good infrastructural installations such as telecommunication and data networks, roads, harbours, public transport, energy-supply installations and other technical installations; and to protect and improve the natural and cultural assets in Nordjylland County. Hints and links