How zoning works

1.1 Planning initative

The City of Turku starts zoning or rezoning when a plan initiative is submitted to it. The initiative can be submitted by the landowner or the city itself. If you wish to submit a planning initiative, we recommend that you first contact the regional zoner. You get important information about the zoning process and restrictions from them.

1.2 Pre-planning assessment

When the planning initiative reaches the city, the planning department will carry out a pre-planning assessment within three months. This is when the planning department determines whether it is worthwhile to start planning. This study is sent to the Urban Environment Committee, which decides whether to approve or reject the planning initiative. In either case, the original initiator of the plan will be informed of the decision.

1.3 Scheduling of the plan in the zoning programme

Once approved, the plan will be added to the zoning programme. This list estimates the plans to be implemented in the following years and their timetables. Due to the backlog in the planning process, the start of some plans may be delayed by years.

In addition, a size category is defined for each plan: S, M, L or XL. The different size categories indicate the significance of the plan.

2.1. Agreement on preparing the plan and starting the plan

The Head of Planning for the city centre and the zoning director for the other areas of the city initiate the preparation of the plan. The designated planner may ask adjacent landowners in the zoning area if they wish to be included in the zone. This allows more landowners to share the costs of developing their areas and the city to plan larger areas.

Before the preparation of the plan begins, an agreement is signed between the city, the plan initiator and the landowners who will be involved. It sets out when the planning process will start and how responsibilities and costs will be divided. Once the agreement is signed, the preparation of the plan can begin.

2.2 Approval of the objectives of the plan

The next step is for the designated planner to draft the objectives of the plan. The objectives may include protecting the site and buildings, increasing building rights and climate measures. The objectives of the plan will be guided by the national development objectives, the regional plan, the city plan and the city's strategies and projects.

The objectives of the plan are approved by the Urban Environmental Committee (M) or the City Council (L and XL). For small S-plans, the objectives are approved by the Head of planning. Once the objectives have been approved, the plan is announced within a few weeks.

2.3 Participation and assessment plan

Once a plan has been announced, the planning authority sends a participation and assessment plan to the neighbours, NGOs and public authorities (M, L and XL plans) in the area to be planned. This document describes the current situation in the area, the objectives of the plan and the ways to participate in the zoning process. This information will enable neighbours and NGOs to formulate their views on the plan. They can send their opinions to the planning authority and thus contribute to the development of the final plan. In the case of S-size plans, only neighbours receive a letter of initiation.

The participation and assessment plan will also be published on the turku.fi website. The Pending city plans page is the easiest way to find plans currently in the pipeline.

3.1 Preparation of studies

Based on comments from public authorities and other input information, studies are prepared for the plan. These may include studies on nature, ground, water, light, wind, traffic, safety, health, history and culture. These studies can take a long time to complete. For example, some nature surveys can only be carried out during the summer. In addition to the planner, many other experts and external consultants carry out these studies.

Some of these studies are published on the plan's own website.

3.2 Preparation of a draft plan

The designated planner uses studies to prepare the draft plan and assess its impacts. They may organise a forum to present the draft plan to the citizens and to receive their opinions. Not all plans are subject to a forum.

The designated planner draws up a zoning map, a plan description, and a monitoring form. The zoning map shows how the zoned area can be used and what can be built on it. The plan description explains the background to the plan, clarifies the regulations of the zoning map and summarises the results of the studies. The monitoring form describes the change in the amount of development and the change in land use. The plan may also be accompanied by other illustrative material, such as illustrations.

If the plan is XL sized, the designated planner first prepares a draft zoning plan. This is usually a map that is approved by the Urban Environmental Committee. Based on the draft, the planner then prepares the zoning proposal documents. The draft process ensures that the largest plans have political support throughout the process.

When new names are given in a plan, they are decided by the Nomenclature Committee.

3.3 Exhibiting the plan

A completed zoning proposal is made public for public consultation – often for a month. Announcements of this are made on the turku.fi website and in newspapers. You can view the proposal on the plan's website or visit the Urban Environmental Customer Service at Puolalankatu 5, 3rd floor.

Comments on the zoning proposal will be sought from various authorities, and stakeholders can submit a reminder – i.e. feedback – on the proposal. The planner will write responses to the statements and reminders and, if necessary, amend the proposed plan. In addition, further studies may be carried out for the plan.

4.1 Land use agreement

In some plans, landowners and the City of Turku sign a land use agreement. With this agreement, the landowners contribute to the costs of the new development for the city. Negotiations on the agreement start when the plan is being prepared and the plan proceeds to approval once the land use agreement has been signed.

4.2 Plan approval

Once the plan is ready, the zoning proposal proceeds to the Urban Environmental Committee for approval. The Committee can make changes to the plan or return it back to planning. If the plan is of S or M size, the Committee's approval is sufficient to approve the plan.

For L and XL -sized plans, the plan goes to the City Board and City Council for approval after the Committee. The council can approve the plan, return it back to planning or make changes to it.

4.3 Right to appeal

Once the City Environmental Committee or the City Council has made a decision on a plan, the decision can be appealed. For more information on how to appeal, please visit the How to influence planning page.

5.1 The Plan comes into effect

The plan is announced as coming into effect if no appeal has been lodged against the decision or if the court has rejected the appeals. The notification of entry into effect will be sent by letter to those who have requested it.

5.2 Implementation of the new plan begins

After the plan has entered into effect, the plan may be implemented. If the plan includes new construction, it may be carried out.

1.1 Assessment of the up-to-dateness of the city plan

The planning department assesses if the city plan is up to date. If changes are needed, a new city plan will be added to the zoning programme.

1.2 Approval of the zoning programme

The City Council approves the new general plan or sub-scheme in the zoning programme.

2.1. Initation

Turku announces the initiation of the plan, i.e. the preparation of the plan is started. A letter is sent to the out-of-towners informing them that a sub-regional plan has been launched. Residents of Turku can read about general plans on the turku.fi website or in major newspapers in the area.

2.2 Participation and assessment plan

During the starting phase, the planning department draws up a participation and assessment plan. It contains the initial objectives, basic information about the plan and guidelines for citizen interaction. You can view the participation and assessment plans of the pending plans on the turku.fi website for each city plan. You can find the lists of city plans on this page.

You can submit an opinion on the city plan from this stage onwards. You can find instructions on how to submit an opinion here.

3.1 Preparation of studies

The necessary studies are prepared to support the planning process. These may include studies on transport, the natural environment, the cultural environment and stormwater. In addition to the planner, many other experts and external consultants carry out these studies.

3.2 Preparing the draft plan

The planners prepares the draft plan on the basis of the studies and dialogue. They draw on the help of a large number of other experts. Alternative analyses and development scenarios can be made to help with preparation.

3.3 Approval of the draft plan

The City Council approves the draft plan. The draft plan consists of a plan map and a plan description.

3.4 Exhibiting the draft plan

The draft plan is exhibited for at least one month, during which time interested parties may submit their comments. Comments will also be sought from the authorities.

The material available for consultation is available on the city plan's own turku.fi website.

4.1 Preparing the city plan proposal

The city plan may be discussed in a forum with citizens. The forum is used to present the plan to stakeholders and ask for their opinions.

The planner prepares a planning proposal on the basis of the approved draft and the opinions and comments received.

4.2 Approval of the planning proposal

The City Council approves the planning proposal. The plan consists of a plan map and a plan description.

4.3 Exhibiting the planning proposal

The plan proposal is put on exhibition for at least one month, during which time stakeholders can submit their comments (reminder). Instructions on how to submit a reminder can be found here. Statements may also be requested from the authorities.

The public consultation material for the city plan is available on the plan's own turku.fi website.

5.1 Possible amendments

The plan may still be amended on the basis of any reminders and statements.

5.2 Approval of the city plan

The City Council approves the plan proposal as it stands or makes changes to it. The plan may also be returned back to preparation.

5.3 Right to appeal

Any party may lodge a municipal appeal against the decision of the City Council within 30 days. The appeal is dealt with by the Administrative Court. An appeal against the court's decision may be lodged with the Supreme Administrative Court.

6.1 The city plan goes into effect

The plan will enter into effect if no appeals have been lodged or if the court has ruled on them. The entry into force will be notified by letter to those who have requested it.

The city plan will serve as the basis for the zoning plans to be prepared in its area.