Spatial planning in Austria with references to spatial development and regional policy

Raumordnung in Österreich und Bezüge zur Raumentwicklung und Regionalpolitik

Wien

2018

172 S.

Bandaufführung

978-3-9504146-3-9

8804

203314

Generally, spatial planning refers to the entirety of measures and activities of public authorities used to shape the development of a territory based on political goals. Spatial planning in Austria features a complex and highly differentiated planning system considering the relatively small territory of the country and the size of the population. The foundation for the distribution of areas of competence for planning was established by the Constitution of the First Republic and the amendments to it of 1925 that distributed the areas of competence in detail among the federal government, Länder and municipalities. The federal government is responsible for legislation and for execution of all administrative matters assigned to it by the Federal Constitutional Act (B-VG). Competence for legislation and implementation is shared by the federal government and the Länder in some sectoral matters, although most public administration tasks being the remit of the Länder due to a general clause. Pursuant to a decision by the Constitutional Court of 1954, spatial planning is not a matter belonging to a specific sphere of administration, but rather a matter that concerns many sectors (Querschnittsmaterie). The different authorities at the federal, Land and municipal level have planning remits. This legal situation regarding the distribution of areas of competence has characterised spatial planning in Austria ever since.