The issue of regional planning is covered in Act No. 183/2006 Coll., on Regional Planning and the Building Code (Construction Act). Regional planning is dealt with in detail in Decree No. 500/2006 Coll., on Regional Analytical Source Materials, Regional Planning Documentation and the Method for Keeping a Register of Regional Planning Documentation, and also in Decree No. 501/2006 Coll., on General Land Use Requirements.

Aims and objectives of regional planning

• To create the conditions for construction and the sustainable development of the area
• To coordinate the public and private programmes of changes in the area
• To protect and develop the natural, cultural and civilizational values of the area in the public interest
• To ensure the protection of undeveloped land and land without development potential

Regional planning systematically and comprehensively addresses the functional use of the area, lays down the principles for the organization thereof, and materially and chronologically coordinates construction and other activities affecting the development of the area. Regional planning creates conditions for permanent balance between all natural, civilizational and cultural values in the area, with particular regard to caring for the environment and protecting its principal components.

The main tools of regional planning are:

• Regional planning source materials
• Regional development policy
• Regional planning documentation

Regional planning source materials

These ascertain and assess the current situation and development of the area and its values, the constraints on changes in the area (land use constraints) and the plans for changes in the area, as well as ascertaining and assessing the sustainable development of the area and identifying the problems to be solved in the regional planning documentation. Regional planning source materials consist of: regional analytical documents and regional studies.

Regional development policy

• Sets out nationwide regional planning priorities in order to safeguard the sustainable development of land 
• Sets out development areas and development areas of national importance 
• Defines areas with specific values of international and national importance 
• Defines transport and technical infrastructure zones and corridors of international and national importance 
• Lays down criteria for making decisions on alternatives in an area
• Is drawn up by the Ministry for the entire country and is approved by the Government

Regional planning documentation

• Regional development principles
• Master plan
• Regulatory plan

Regional development principles

The principles for the development of the Pilsen Region were issued by the Pilsen Region Council on 2 September 2008 and came into effect on 17 October 2008. The principles of regional development for the Pilsen Region lay down the basic requirements for the purposeful and efficient arrangement of the territory of the region.

Master plan

A master plan is drawn up for the entire territory of the municipality. It lays down the basic concept for the development of the municipality and the protection of its values, the urban planning concept and the functional use of zones, determines the basic regulation of the area and defines the developed area. The master plan is the fundamental conceptual document for the management of the municipality’s territorial development.

Regulatory plan

The regulatory plan for a particular area lays down detailed conditions for the use of plots and for the location and spatial arrangement of structures. The regulatory plan also includes a public infrastructure proposal and specifies public works or public benefit measures.

Regional planning information

Regional planning information preliminarily defines:

• Conditions for use of the area and changes in its use, based primarily upon the regional planning source materials and regional planning documentation 
• Conditions for the issuance of the regulatory plan and planning decisions 
• Conditions for the issuance of planning permits 
• Conditions for the construction of simple structures

Regional planning information is provided by the Regional Authority, the Regional Planning Authority, a Municipal Authority authorized to act as procurer, and the Building Authority providing regional planning information as preliminary information under its powers. Regional planning information is valid for one year from its date of issue, unless the conditions change.

Glossary of terms used in the Construction Act

• change in the area – a change in its use or spatial arrangement 
• building plot – a plot of land, a part thereof or a group of plots designated for the location of a structure by means of a planning decision or a regulatory plan 
• developed area – an area defined by a master plan or by a procedure referred to in Sections 58 and 59 of the Construction Act 
• land without development potential – land which may not be developed in the territory of a municipality which has not issued a master plan 
• undeveloped land – land not included in a developed area or an area with development potential 
• land with development potential – land designated for development in a master plan or in the regional development principles 
• public infrastructure – transport and technical infrastructure, civic amenities and public space 
• public work – structure for the public infrastructure specified in the regional planning documentation 
• public benefit measure – a measure of non-construction nature serving to reduce the endangerment of an area and to protect the natural, cultural and archaeological heritage