Teritorial development and preconditions for the developmennt of Kaunas city general plan

Straipsnyje nagrinėjami regioninės plėtros ir teritorijų planavimo klausimai Lietuvoje. Pateikiamos tvaraus regioninio planavimo nuostatos, pagrindžiant jų įdiegimo Lietuvoje galimybes. Taip pat pateikiami pasiūlymai, padedantys sudaryti prielaidas tvarios miestų plėtros įgyvendinimui Respublikoje. Remiantis regioninės plėtros ir teritorijų planavimo principais bei Kauno miesto aplinkos būklės analize, pagrįstos aplinkosauginės Kauno bendrojo plano formavimo prielaidos, kadangi rengiant miesto vystymo strategiją, gyvenamosios aplinkos būklė yra svarbiausias veiksnys, nulemiantis konkrečius sprendimus.This article deals with the problems of sustainable regional development and spatial planning. The analysis of rural and urban development issues is presented. In the area of regional planning, the Government's goal is to minimise the growing regional disparities. Lithuania has a deep-rooted tradition of spatial planning. Over the last years Lithuania has made much progress in transforming its spatial planning system, particularly in the area of legislation and strengthening local government. Local government is responsible for urban planning, the provision of public utilities to residents, public transport, the educational and cultural infrastructure, maintenance of the buildings and local roads. Lithuania needs comprehensive regional development policy. This policy should be based on sustainable development concept under conditions of a market economy. Sustainable regional development policy should be integrated into territorial planning process. The regional development is the most appropriate level for achieving a critical mass for development. To start economic restructuring, the regional authorities have to draw up development programmes based on socio-economic studies of the region. The city of Vilnius made the country's first and successful attempt to respond to this need for municipal development with it's drafted general plan. One of the main aspects of urban development is to ensure the better quality of social, economic and natural environment for urban communities. In order to create a comprehensive general plan of Kaunas City the detailed study of current situation is needed. The strategic assessment of Kaunas development similar with "Vilnius Vision-2015" is also necessary. All these necessary steps will enable preparation of Kaunas general plan taking into consideration "sustainable city" concept, which characterise the sustainable natural, economic and social environment for urban population