Statutory Planning - Rationale Behind Statutory Planning

Rationale Behind Statutory Planning

While the statutory planning systems of different countries differ, the motivation behind the use of government intervention in the use and development of land is generally similar. It can be summed up as a mechanism to guide development to occur in a way that is in the interests of the community as a whole. Therefore, development proposals that do not accord with certain planning controls, objectives or design standards can be refused under law.

There are other rationales that may govern the use of statutory planning in many cities, including:

• To ensure fairness in physical development
• To meet the minimum standards of public health
• To ensure the provision of basic infrastructure and amenities
• To control and manage externalities and their impacts
• To provide adequate access to public goods, for instance recreational facilities, schools and libraries
• To manage the effective functioning of the built environment.