Implementation of the legislative framework for land uses within the urban planning concerned

Abstract

Land use regulation is an integrated part of urban planning. Land uses play a major role on the creation of a functional urban structure, the formation of city centers, the organization of urban and peri-urban space, the protection of the natural environment, the effect on land values, as well as the organization of infrastructures. Thus, there is the urgent need for the recording, development, and continuous updating of land uses. Beginning from the study of the first legislative framework of land uses, in PD 81/1980, PD of 23.2.1987, and finally PD 59/2018, as corrected by law no 4685/2021, law no 4759/2021 and law no 4819/2021, this study aims to present the distortions and gaps that arise during a) the revision of the General Urban Plans and b) the redefinition of land uses, as a result of the evolving socio-economic needs, based on the categorization of major areas of land uses: residential: Housing, Toursim-leisure, Open spaces – green areas and Productive activities. This paper presents selected case-studies per land-use category, in which multiple ambiguities and problems arose during the interpretation of the respective legislative framework. Then it analyses the interpretive approach which has been attempted by competent decision-making bodies, aiming to the necessary feedback between the legislator and the normatively acting public administration for the most effective regulation of land uses in modern data.