Law no. 4447 of 2016. Spatial planning - Sustainable development and other provisions.

This Law, consisting of 56 articles, and divided into two Parts, provides for defining a set of spatial and urban planning frameworks and Plans, and concerns provisions for the sustainable development and the protection of the environment. Part I concerns land use and spatial planning, and defines the following useful terms: spatial planning system; strategic spatial planning, as the medium- or even long-term goals of the development and organisation of the space, for the formation of residential areas, areas of productive and business activities and protected areas; regulatory spatial planning, for the general exploitation of the land in the urban area and the countryside; sustainable development, as the development that combines social, economic and environmental objectives with the aim of: achieving sustainable economic growth, increasing employment, improving territorial and social cohesion, strengthening the natural and cultural environment, protecting biodiversity, the landscape and the sustainable use of natural resources. The Law concerns: the spatial planning system structure and organisation; the national spatial strategy for the sustainable development, the utilisation of public property, and the implementation of land Policy; the establishment of the national planning council and the definition of its roles.
Concerning the strategic spatial planning, the Law focuses on the formulation of plans, programmes and projects for: the formulation of land Policy, the organisation of areas of particular importance for touristic business purposes, the development of coastal, marine and island areas. The Law provides for: measures to deal with exceptional needs, and natural or technological disasters and risks; spatial development and organisation at the regional level, highlighting the utilisation of the structures of regional and local areas; the protection of the natural and cultural heritage; zoning activities; requirements for land uses and building construction; measures for land subdivision and at municipal levels; implementation of local spatial plans in residential and urban areas; control of non-urbanised areas; drafting of special spatial plans, aimed at promoting urban regeneration programmes or environmental protection; codification of zoning and urban planning provisions, and harmonisation of the existing provisions with the new spatial planning system.
Part II of the Law contains provisions for extending the Ministry of Environment’s powers and competences in the following matters, by amending different legislative instruments: issuance of environmental permits; terms and conditions for the installation of Green Points, as proper equipments for ensuring separately collection of recyclable municipal waste; legal authorities empowered to carry out energy and environmental inspections; issuance of biofuel disposal and storage permit.