Cooperation in land use and transport system planning
The development of the transport system and land-use planning are closely linked. The development of the transport system is essential, inter alia, for the planned use of areas, regional development, competitiveness of business, mitigation of climate change, daily lives of citizens and security of supply. Land use planning also has impacts on the same phenomena. In the development of the transport system–similarly to the development of the transport system–emphasis is placed on cooperation between different actors and coordination of different measures.
Through cooperation in land use and transport system planning, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is engaged in influencing the extent of the transport network and the emergence of mobility needs. The aim is, on the one hand, to improve accessibility and, on the other, to create a social structure that facilitates sustainable mobility. Reducing transport needs, noise pollution and congestion, as well as improving traffic safety, are key to the sustainable development of communities.
Cooperation in land use and transport system planning is based on people's mobility needs and the transport needs of businesses. The solutions support regional development and the operational prerequisites of businesses so that measures are cost-effective, reduce transport needs and negative environmental impacts, improve safety and access to public transport, cycling and walking.
A nationwide twelve-year transport system plan is being prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in line with the guidelines of a parliamentary steering group. Regional federations are responsible for regional planning and regional transport system planning, and they are closely linked in terms of content. Regional transport system planning is related to regional land use planning and municipal master planning. Its main tasks include coordinating land use, the national transport network and the street network. The regional transport system plan is drafted by the joint municipal authority of the region or the municipalities in the plan area.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency supports regional planning and general plans and land-use plans important for the community structure, if necessary, through studies and participation in steering and working groups.
Practices of land use cooperation at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has regional contact persons for transport system work and land use plans, taking care of the cooperation in practice.
Requests for opinions on regional plans, master plans and regional land use plans and invitations to public consultations are to be submitted to the Registry of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency: [email protected]. If the plan includes current or planned railways, waterways or water transport-related matters, an opinion must also be requested from the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.