Regional planning in Lithuania - experiences and challenges

Abstract

Lithuania is once again perceived as an integral European country, owing to its Central East and Baltic regions. Together with its neighbouring countries, upon reclaiming their self-sufficiency, it aspires to overcome economic arrears as soon as possible and to reclaim its lost pre-war position. The transitional period, which lasted longer than a decade, was characterized by political, social and economic reconstruction, while urban and spatial problems were displaced into the second schedule of state tasks. Nevertheless, the first steps were made at this time i.e. after some laws regulating urban and regional planning were adopted, the country territorial managing structure was improved and some documents reflecting the new development conditions of urban and regional physical and strategic planning were prepared. However, in the framework of the strengthening economy there is a clear necessity for a more precise determination of state regional policy provisions, more rapid changes in the legal spatial planning basis and stronger regulation of urban development in cities and the surrounding areas. By the same token, work in such fields has a strong position and progressive achievements from previous development. We would like to list here some urban planning problems in the context of EU priorities as well as achievements in Lithuanian urban system sustainable development.'.