Understanding zoning in Central and Eastern European spatial planning: between control and flexibility

Abstract

Understanding zoning in Central and Eastern European Spatial Planning systems. Between control and flexibility This article compares how zoning is defined, regulated, and applied in local planning across eight Central and Eastern European countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, and Ukraine. It examines how national legal frameworks shape zoning practices, balancing flexibility with control, and highlights key differences in the level of detail required in plans. By profiling each country’s planning system, the study shows how legal and institutional settings influence zoning’s role in guiding development. The paper’s main contribution is its comparative analysis of zoning laws and practices, offering insights into the evolving role of zoning in post-socialist planning systems.