Functional Review of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning

SPATIAL PLANNING / HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
The European Commission in its Summary of the European Systems for Spatial Planning in 1997
described the Spatial planning as follows: “… mainly deals with the methods used by the public sector to
create an impact on the division of the activities in the space in the future. This is undertaken with the goal
of creation of rational organisation and usage of the space and interlinking between, in order to balance
requests for development with the need to protect the environment in order to achieve social and
economical objective. Spatial planning includes measure to coordinate spatial impact of three sector
policies, in order to achieve one model of economical development of the regions, which in the contrary
could be created from the trade economy, and to regulate the transfer of intended usage of land and
property."
Through spatial planning there is an objective tendency to achieve well balanced socio-economic and
environmental development of all regions and municipalities in Kosovo, with aims to improve the quality of
human life and well being.
MESP according to provisions of the Law on Spatial Planning (No. 2008/03 L-106) is responsible, through
the Department of Spatial Planning, for:
coordination of the spatial planning of Kosovo and drafting the spatial planning policies,
drafting of the relevant spatial planning documents and reports,
supervision and monitoring of all urban/physical planning documents in whole territory of Kosovo;
review, monitoring and harmonisation of the process of planning on the municipal level, ensuring
accordance with the procedures of planning, advising and assisting municipalities on drafting
development and urban plans as well as regulating urban plans, etc.
The mandate of the Department of Spatial Planning is suitable and does not require major changes.
Staffing levels are the problem – particularly understaffing at policy implementation level.
The position of Kosovo among neighbouring countries from the perspective of regional development starts
to be gradually improved thanks to the participation in various European integration initiatives such as
CADSES and Stability Pact. Through these and in accordance with ESDP (European Spatial
Development Perspective) are set joint goals and principles of equal and sustainable development where
Kosovo is engaged in development projects in the region of Southeast Europe. These include:
Promotion of spatial development in order to achieve social and economic cohesion;
Efficient transport system and access to information society;
Promotion and management of landscape, natural and cultural heritage;
Environment protection, resource management and risk prevention.
Spatial Plan of Kosovo 2005 – 2015+ 2 was approved by Government in principle back in 2005 and is
now back to the MESP for additional inputs. This document promotes common interests of Kosovo
residents for faster economic growth and improved quality of life, by protecting environmental resources
and cultural and natural heritage. The Kosovo Spatial Plan is a strategic multi-sectoral and multi-annual
programme taking into account all strategic aspects of social, economic, environment and regional
development for all municipalities in Kosovo. During the development, account has been taken of all
internationally accepted principles such as democratic participatory and inclusive process in defining
developmental strategies and physical plans; promotion of full transparency in planning and decisionmaking
process by allowing participants to have access to necessary data and maps; promotion of equal
economic and social rights for all Kosovars and sustainable development.
The main deficiency in the spatial planning sphere in Kosovo is represented in the fact that around 90% of
municipalities have not yet drafted and approved their urban/municipal development plan.
Recommendation III.9: A significant part of settlements in Kosovo experience a non-co-ordinated
approach to development, i.e. development without approved spatial plan. This clearly defined process of
planning, implementation and controlled development can not be abandoned. One of the most important
2 The plan was developed in co-operation with the UN – HABITAT, HIS - Institute for Habitat Studies and Urban Development of
Rotterdam, The Netherlands as well as the Regional Institute for Development Research – RIINVEST, Kosovo.
24