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City planning

Planning creates a good living environment.

A city plan is a plan that determines the use of land area and the principles of construction. City planning is guided by legislation, the master plan and the City’s own objectives.

The City is responsible for the city planning. Annually, there are around 60 city plans in the making in Lahti. Changes in the city planning are instituted by the City or a private party.

The plan is presented on a map

Markings and stipulations on the city plan map display matters such as the amount of construction needed and the placement of buildings. The city plan also determines other factors affecting the structure and townscape of the city, such as street width and green areas. Construction can be directed in more detail by determining the facade materials, for example.

The city plan map is complemented by a plan report. Usually, illustrations and building practice instructions related to the plan are also drawn up to clarify the purpose of the plan.

Apply for a change of city plan

A change to the city plan can be applied for with a plan application. Before submitting the application, you should contact the planners.

Familiarise yourself with planning

The annually published planning review presents pending plan work areas. Every plan project has its own website where you can follow the progress of the planning.

 

Planning review (in Finnish)

Plans are prepared in interaction with the participating parties, i.e. those whose conditions may be significantly affected by the plan. When the city plan is being prepared, people who live, work or own real estate in the plan area and areas affected by the plan, as well as others interested in the matter, are given an opportunity to voice their opinion either orally or in writing.

You can take part in the planning in its different phases: e.g. by commenting on current plans, i.e. plan drafts or displayed plan proposals. You can participate in resident evenings and workshops, contact the people in charge of the plan projects and voice your opinion regarding the plans.

Participation and the progress of plan projects

Below is a description of the different phases of the plan process and opportunities for participation.

    • A plan is instituted by the City or a private party.
    • The lis pendens is reported in the annual planning review or with a separate announcement.
    • Local residents, landowners and other parties are notified of the plan project by mail.
    • The starting phase involves drawing up a participation and evaluation plan, regarding which you can give feedback to the creator of the plan. You can also comment on the objectives of the plan project and offer your own local information to help the planning work via the comment form.
    • The starting phase may also involve a resident evening or a walking tour on which the plan or a workshop for joint brainstorming is presented.

    • The draft phase involves drafting ideas and clarifications and assessing the effects of the draft.
    • Parties are negotiated with.
    • You can voice your opinion regarding the plan draft or drafts orally or in writing during the hearing period of the draft phase, which is at least 14 days. The master plan is available for view in the draft phase for at least 30 days.
    • You can submit your opinion directly to the registry by e-mail (kirjaamo@lahti.fi). You can also contact the creator of the plan. The opinions are published with the names of the commentators covered on the City’s website.
    • In the draft phase, plans can be presented during a resident evening or other event. During the draft phase, the plan is developed through brainstorming with the parties.

    • In the proposal phase, a plan proposal is drawn up based on the chosen plan draft. Opinions of the draft and authoritative statements are taken into account when drawing up a plan proposal.
    • The plan proposal is presented to the board of technical affairs and the board of environment, with whose decision the plan proposal is made public for 30 days. The master plan proposal is displayed by the City Board.
    • During this time, a written reminder about the plan can be submitted.
    • The reminder is given to the board of technical affairs and the board of environment, and it can be submitted by e-mail to the City of Lahti registry while the proposal is public (kirjaamo@lahti.fi). The reminder can also be submitted at the Lahti-Piste service point.
    • Those who submit a reminder are replied to with an explanatory statement sent by mail if an address is given. The reminders are published with the names of the commentators covered on the City’s website.
    • The opinions submitted in the draft phase are processed during the preparation of the proposal. If there are issues with the contents of the plan in the proposal phase, a new reminder must be submitted.

    • The City Board will process the plan proposal, reminders and replies.
    • The plan proposal is approved by the City Council. A plan proposal with only minor effects is approved by the board of technical affairs and the board of environment.
    • Participating parties and members of the municipality can file a complaint about the City Council’s or the board’s decision to the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court during the complaint period, which is 30 days after the decision.
    • A further complaint can be filed about the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court’s decision to the Supreme Administrative Court.

City plans in the making

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