Impact assessment of the urban development and the nature frame upon the use of the land designated for agricultural purposes

Abstract

The necessity to limit the transfer of productive arable land for other purposes, to adjust economical measures assigned for the maintenance of the optimal land use is emphasized in international strategic documents. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania noted that the rational use of land is public interest protected by the Constitution. However, after the fulfillment of the analysis of the master plans of the chosen districts the cases, when the priority of the territory use in valuable agricultural farming lands and drained arable lands is defined not for agriculture, but for the fulfillment of other activity, were determined. Therefore, in order to coordinate interests of various fields of activity as well as to optimise the composition of farming lands and the intensity of land use, clear principles of territory planning and particular assessment of the impact of solutions upon the environment are necessary. The following factors, such as urbanisation of the territory with non-agricultural buildings, forest planting as well as the restrictions of intensive cultivation of land, have the main influence upon the activity of agricultural land users. The aim of the research was to analyze the possible influence of the restrictions of the economic activity planned in the territory of urban development and nature frame upon the agricultural production. While preparing the substantiation of the territorial planning documents, it is suggested to assess losses concerning the possible reduction of the farming lands’ area, the loss of fertile soil and shrinkage of the amounts and value of agricultural production. The calculated losses should be compared with the indicators of the positive influence of solutions upon the environment while evaluating it in legal, economic and ecological aspects.