Land use and building regulations: The case of spatial plans for protected natural areas (Serbia)

Abstract

Land use and building regulation within protected natural areas in Serbia is specific in comparison to areas without this status. Since urban plans define the rules and conditions limited to urban settlements and locations of national priority (e.g. tourism resort in natural protected areas), other areas, including significant parts of protected natural areas, rely on spatial plans, which often contain elements of detailed urban planning (i.e. regulation and building rules). Preservation of ecologic and environmental functions is a priority in protected natural areas (particularly in zones of I and II level of protection), but they are also eligible for controlled development purposes in zone of III level of protection. Due to large distance from administrative centre and institutions responsible for building inspection, it is not rare case in Serbia that illegal building in protected areas makes them more exposed to illegal actions. Therefore, this paper focuses on the role of spatial plans in balancing between land use and building in protected natural areas on the one hand and nature protection on the other hand. In-depth analysis of chosen spatial plans, here is given a comprehensive review of building and land use postulates, regulations and different levels of protection applied in spatial planning. Starting from the Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbia 2010-2020, analysis gives a major significance to four special purpose area spatial plans of different kind: Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve, Tisa River Multifunctional Ecological Corridor, Kopaonik National Park and Vlasina Landscape of Exceptional Features. Finally, there is shown diversity and systematisation of existing measures, and contribution to understanding of challenges and recommendations on future improvements of methodology in planning and implementation of plans in order to enhance balance between development and protection.

Sustainable Land Use Planning Solutions for Water Supply Reservoirs in Serbia

“…One of the basic actions by which spatial planning protects water resources, as well as public interest, is land use zoning. The zoning, as established standards of acceptable land use, helps to control undesirable impacts and represents the best way to reduce spatial conflicts in land use (Pantić et al, 2019). The Order on Protection Regimes (2012) defines three levels of protection within zone of protection whereby I level of protection regime strictly prohibits any use of natural resources, the construction, works and activities within the protected area.…”

“…Without spatial planning and spatial plans, water management in Serbia would remain mainly in jurisdiction of public institutions that take care only on sectoral and technical issues, thus omitting integrated approach and complexity of environment (Pihler et al, 2013). Therefore, the role of spatial planning is to balance between protection and development, which is reflected in relativization of conflicts (Pantic et al, 2018). This paper starts from the fact that planning, regulation and use of space in Serbia bases, inter alia, on the principle of rational and sustainable use of resources.…”

Public recreation and landscape protection - with environment hand in hand…

“…Conflicts of interests between the exploitation of the potential of the area for the development of tourist, recreational, therapeutic and other activities and the protection of nature and landscape are very common (Faccini et al, 2012;Ilona et al, 2016;Telbisz, Mari, 2020). Spatial planning based on a participatory approach plays a very important role here (Pantić et al, 2019;Handayani et al, 2019). Hamilton-Smith (2016) emphasizes the need to take into account all relevant factors influencing the development of an area in the management of karst areas.…”

Urban and Spatial Planning: Pragmatic Considerations for Plan Implementation Improvements (A Case Study of the City of Bor)

“…Nevertheless, the essence of those plans had never been crucially changed. This is also applicable in the case of spatial plans, which are usually created for specific areas such as mining or hydro-accumulation basins, national parks, and tourist areas, for which Pantić et al (2018) argue that the main issue is not in the lack of regulations or plans, but in the fact that plans are not being implemented.…”