Regional spatial planning

Since independence in 1991, no spatial strategic planning has been carried out in Slovenia. The development activities are left to individual departments which led to the sectorization of space, while spatial planning was focused mainly on implementation plans. The only general strategic document is the Spatial Development strategy of Slovenia. Spatial planning is fully transferred to the municipalities and that led to the fragmentation of space into 212 municipalities, each of which separately prepares its own strategic documents. The elaboration of regional spatial plans (RSP) will reduce the costs and duplication of municipal documents, improve cooperation between state and municipalities and enable more comprehensive solutions for spatial and development challenges. 

Regional spatial plan (RSP)

Regional spatial plan is a strategic spatial act, with which the state and municipalities agree on and harmonize the spatial development of an individual development region and determine essential development opportunities. It determines the vision and goals of the regional spatial development, the design of the regional spatial development and directions and measures for further spatial planning.

The purpose of the RSP elaboration is a more detailed discussion and definition of the contents, in accordance with the Spatial Planning Act (Article 75 of ZUreP-3) and the Resolution on the Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia 2050 (ReSPR50) at the regional level. The RSP will define the key regional spatial challenges and orientations. The RSP project will take place until the middle of 2027, when it must be officially accepted and also published in the Official Gazette.

The preparation of RSP implements the principle of cooperation between different levels of government, where the state and municipalities agree on spatial arrangements for individual development region. The process includes the coordination of spatial planning designs, whereby municipalities must define local regulations such as important economic zones, while state departments coordinate spatial solutions of national importance.
Spatial planning at the regional level is of key importance for a coherent regional development and balanced spatial development of the country.

Elaboration of regional spatial plans is financed partially by the state budget (60%) and the rest by municipalities, whose contribution is divided according to the number of inhabitants and other criteria. The process also includes a participatory approach, where the participation of interested stakeholders is taken into account.

Zasavje Regional development agency, drafter of RSP

In accordance with the Spatial Planning Act (ZUreP-3), it was also necessary to determine the drafter of the RSP project for the Zasavje region. On the 11th of June 2024 the Ministry of Natural Resources and Space granted the Zasavje Regional Development Agency a public authorization to carry out RSP tasks in the Zasavje development region.

The drafter of the RSP leads the process of regional spatial plan elaboration, within the framework of which he performs all the organizational and coordination tasks stipulated by law.