The planning process and opportunities to participate
The detailed planning process proceeds step by step. The start and initiation of the planning project is followed by the preparatory phase, the drafting of the plan proposal and the approval of the plan by the elected officials. This page describes how the planning process proceeds and how stakeholders can participate at each stage.
Planning process
Stage 1: Getting started
The initiative to draw up a plan may come from a landowner, municipality, local resident or other interested party.
The municipality may draw up a plan for land it owns or enter into an agreement with a private landowner to initiate the planning process. The plan is initiated by public announcement.
The City Planning Department draw up a participation and assessment plan (osallistumis- ja arviointisuunnitelma, OAS) for each planning project, which we update as the planning work progresses. The participation and assessment plan contains basic information about the planning project and its preparation process. Stakeholders can assess the significance of the plan and the need to participate in its preparation.
The participation and assessment plan outlines what is being planned and where, the starting points and objectives, what studies are being conducted and what impacts are being assessed, who is involved, and when and how the participation is possible. he participation and assessment plan provides an indicative schedule, including the expected timing of decisions by the elected officials concerning the plan. We will make the participation and assessment plan publicly available and give stakeholders the opportunity to submit their opinions on it.
Stage 2: Preparation
We prepare a draft or drafts for most plans before the actual plan proposal. In addition, we prepare a plan description, impact assessment, reports and reviews.
The municipal authorities approve the draft plan, after which it is made available for public inspection and comments. We will notify landowners and neighbours of the draft plan by letter and other interested parties by newspaper and online announcements. We often organise a residents’ meeting during the preparatory phase. We will prepare written responses to the opinions received in the participation and assessment plan.
However, the draft plan stage is not conducted if, for example, there are no alternatives to the planning solution that need to be examined during the draft stage. In such cases, the initiation and preparation phases are combined, and there is no separate consultation during the preparation phase. After the combined initiation and preparation phase, the process proceeds directly to the proposal stage.
Stage 3: Proposal
We finalise the draft plan based on the statements and opinions received and the reports prepared. We will prepare written responses to the opinions submitted on the draft. The municipal authorities will approve the proposal plan, after which it will be made available for public inspection for the submission of written comments.
Based on the feedback, minor corrections can be made to the proposal map and the plan description. If the changes to the proposal plan are significant, we will put the proposal on public display again.
We negotiate land use agreements with private landowners.
Step 4: Approval
The approval process proceeds in stages, from the committee to the municipal executive or council, if necessary. Plans of minor significance are approved by the municipal development committee. Most plans are approved by the municipal council. We prepare written responses to the comments submitted on the proposal.
An appeal against the decision to approve the plan may be lodged with the Administrative Court during the appeal period. The plan will come into force upon announcement after the appeal period has ended. If appeals are lodged against the decision, they will be heard by the Administrative Court, after which the plan will be rejected or declared legally valid in accordance with the court’s decision.
Interaction
We prepare plans together with stakeholders. Stakeholders include anyone who believes that the plan will have a significant impact on their living environment, housing, work or leisure activities. In addition, certain authorities and communities are involved when the plan concerns their field of activity.
We present the planned participation events and basic information about the draft plan in the participation and assessment plan (OAS). There are many ways to participate:
- by contacting the planner
- by participating in information and discussion events
- by submitting an opinion or comment on the plan while it is on display.
We will announce all public displays in newspapers and online. We will announce the entry into force of the plan in the newspaper. In addition, we will inform landowners and neighbours by letter of the public display of the participation and assessment plan and the draft plan.
You can view the plans during the public display period on the municipality’s website and at the TuusInfo customer service point. Check the participation and assessment plan to see which service points have the plan material on display.
We may also organise public events on the plans at different stages. We will announce these in the participation and assessment plan, in public notices, in the event calendar and on our website. You can find the plans that are pending and on display, as well as current announcements and events related to planning, via the links below.
This content has been translated using AI