UN-Habitat has conducted an international benchmarking case study of planning laws in five countries and one sub-national region (Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, South Korea and Catalonia Region, Spain) to assess the impact of planning laws in these contexts on sustainable urban development. This has provided a spectrum of regulatory models and schemes for the spatial planning legal reform agenda in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These case studies reveal that planning legal frameworks should clearly define planning objectives and principles which is part of sound policymaking to articulate the scope of the planning instrument as well as an opportunity to reflect the local needs and challenges. Additionally, for smooth implementation, planning laws should contain robust fiscal mechanisms to support equitable urban growth and development. Effective spatial planning laws promote coordination between institutions at the national level with those at the regional and local levels for the planning, implementation, approval and oversight of development projects, plans and documents.
Monitoring and enforcement are crucial in planning laws as they ensure that development adheres to regulations and protects the public interest. Monitoring helps identify potential breaches, while enforcement actions address violations and remedy harm, ultimately maintaining the integrity of planning schemes and fostering public trust. Digital tools for urban planning and public service delivery support community engagement and meaningful public participation, but they should prioritize transparency and user privacy, ensuring equitable digital governance. Varied types of land ownership and management should be promoted by legislation, considering cultural customs, including freehold, leasehold or customary ownership to promote greater security of tenure for all. Planning laws that promote an integrated permitting system, help simplify regulatory processes and ensure compliance through a unified framework. The case study of Catalonia, Spain mostly delineates how the land classification system, through municipal and detail plans, influence access to urban basic services and infrastructure as well as forming the basis for the grant of a building permit.
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