Foresighted urban planning

Abstract

Lithuania is an urbanized country. The decisions of the soviet past have shaped a compact city character. After the Regaining of Independence in 1990, urbanization process was organized by the new territorial planning system. Democracy and market economy are rapidly changing the spatial pattern of Lithuania‘s urban structures. Based on the research done on urban trends and Master plans of the main metropolitan cities of the state, the contributors are trying to answer the question how much the current urban planning is foresighted in achieving sustainability goals and what actions are to be taken to avoid the spread of compact city structures, to stop ineffective use of land and other natural resources. Authors have concluded that the current generation is responsible for a new spatial future of Lithuania. The future should be based on foresighted urban development i.e.on its vision and policy, on clear understanding about the existing situation supported by learned urban professionals.