The Use of Land in Master Plans of Towns from the Point of View of Sustainable Spatial Development

Abstract

Rational use and protection of land depend to a considerable degree on territorial planning documents, especially on municipality general plans which contain definitions of land use objective, character and type. National policy results depend on the quality of these documents. One of the most important territories planning objectives stated in the law on the Territorial Planning is: save, use rationally and restore natural resources; create healthy and harmonious environment for life, work and rest; form natural frame, save and support balance of landscape ecological systems, etc. Nevertheless, in preparing municipality general plans these objectives are frequently ignored –urbanization is planned in valuable strategic objectives of sustainable development (Dėl nacionalinės darnaus… 2009) say: harmonize natural territories, slopes and waterfronts, construction of dwelling houses is legitimated on farmlands, need for public, recreational spaces and greenery is ignored, etc. Estimating such experience of preparation of master plans, it can be said that these solutions mostly fall short of the requirements for sustainable spatial development aspects – social, economical, ecological. Seeking better care and more rational use of land – the greatest country wealth, it is necessary to fortify the administration of this field at both levels – national (Ministry of Environment) and local (Municipalities of cities and regions). This actuality should be better reflected in the laws and the system of standards

The concept of land use model in Lithuania – the tool for sustainable development

“…Some Western countries emphasise the importance of an individual for development (USA), but in Europe the balance between an individual and public interests is more preferable. General plans of the largest Lithuanian cities and towns as well as surrounding territories have been studied by many researchers [Bardauskienë 2007, Dringelis et al 2011, Kavaliauskas and Šabanovas 2011.…”

Built Heritage Management Challenges in the Areas of Rural-Urban Interface

“…Since the middle of the 20 th century the territory of European urban settlements had expanded circa 78 percent on the average, while the population increase was only circa 33 percent. Currently areas of new development in cities sometimes are several times larger that the existing built-up urban areas (Dringelis et al, 2011). D. Bardauskienė and M. Pakalnis (2012) note that in Lithuania suburbanization does not correlate with a demographic and economic situation, as circa 70 percent of country's population live in expanding urban settlements, but the total number of inhabitants is shrinking.…”

“…The urban sprawl is leaving to decay the historical city centers, while assaulting the natural surroundings of cities and leaving there not only new constructions but also wastelands and waste dumps." L. Dringelis et al (2011) had identified numerous problems related with the uncoordinated urban sprawl: low residential density and lack of service infrastructure, high transportation costs, serious damage to agriculture due to the inappropriate use of fertile land, negative impact on attractive recreation facilities and tourism development prospects, ecological problems, such as urbanization of slopes, swampy areas, stream valleys etc. These problems were not left without a response.…”

“…R. Fischer (1996), G. Adell (1999, M. Antrop and V. Van Eetvelde (2000), M. Antrop (2004), G. Overbeek ir I. Terluin (2006), P. Juškevičius (2007), J. R. Miller et al (2009), R. I. Mcdonald et al (2009), J. S. Deng et al (2009), J. Bučas (2010), L. Dringelis et al (2011), D. Bardauskienė and M. Pakalnis (2012) and many others had analyzed the global and local aspects of urban sprawl and urban-rural interactions. M. Antrop (2004) had analyzed the urbanization process in Europe and related landscape changes.…”

“…G. Overbeek and I. Terluin (2006), J. S. Deng et al (2009) had analyzed the socio-economic aspects of urban and rural interface and suburbanization and their spatial expression. L. Dringelis et al (2011) and D. Bardauskienė and M. Pakalnis (2012) discussed the peculiarities of urban expansion in Lithuania undergoing the post-communist transition. M. Antrop and V. Van Eetvelde (2000) had analyzed the suburban transition of the city to the rural countryside areas.…”