National Planning Agency
Divisional structure
The divisional structure covers a defined area that forms a comprehensive unit – a neighbourhood, a neighbourhood section, a street or a cluster of buildings. It contains provisions on building permits, the design of buildings and the completion of the surroundings.
In a divisional structure
are provided for:
the design of the settlement and the environment, such as the size, location and use of buildings.
the face of the settlement, such as the design and layout of buildings and the use of materials.
land and public spaces such as streets, squares, playgrounds and parks.
Building permits and permits to construct must be in accordance with the plan. As a general rule, permits to construct must be based on a sub-plan, but permits to construct may in certain cases be based on a master plan. For more information on building permits, see and.
Neighbourhood planning
A neighbourhood plan is a simplified design of a subdivision that can be worked for built-up neighbourhoods, where there is no need to go into extensive construction. A neighbourhood plan does not have the same requirements as a conventional subdivision for presentation and terms. It has more scope for setting general rules and instructions for building permits, such as modifications and extensions instead of defining building plots and setting specific terms for individual plots.
Existing divisional structure
The divisional structure in force with the changes is available here.
Type of divisional structure
The municipality is responsible for the preparation of a divisional plan. The municipality's planning committee is responsible for the preparation of a divisional plan under the authority of the municipality.
The owner or developer may ask the local authority to make or change the subdivision plan at its expense. By accepting the proposal, the local authority makes the subdivision plan its own and is responsible for its enforcement.
The divisional structure shall take effect once it has been approved by the local authority and published in the Official Journal.
The municipality pays for the creation of a subdivision plan, except if the landowner or the developer is authorized to do so at his own expense.