The SDG 2030 agenda is part of the modernization of the Planning Act

The SDG 2030 agenda forms the inspiration and method basis for a systematic review of the Planning Act for use in a forthcoming revision and modernization of the Planning and Area Administration Act.

The forthcoming revision and modernization of the Planning Act will use the SDG 2030 agenda to ensure that the Planning Act supports an overall sustainable development. There is a focus on strengthening 1) the Planning Act's framework provisions and framework conditions for business investments, 2) the Planning Act's environmental provisions and environmental considerations in relation to human health and well - being and 3) the Planning Act's description of new digital management processes.

Some of the issues we experience today with the Planning Act are, among other things, a lack of clarity in relation to drawing lots for areas, the possibility of withdrawing area allocations, ambiguity about the possibilities for area reservation in project applications, lack of provisions on sector planning, unclear and short-term framework for business investments, lack of provisions on environmental considerations and distance relations between different sub-areas and much more.

All this and the need for a revision of the Planning Act was brought up by Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq at the last meeting of the political coordination group (PKG) between Naalakkersuisut and the country's five mayors in Kangerlussuaq in March 2020. There was broad political support for a forthcoming modernization of the Planning Act.

In addition to a focus on the SDG 2030 agenda, the forthcoming modernization of the Planning Act will clarify concepts and streamline land management processes in the municipalities' administration of the physical areas. This clarification of the legislation is an offshoot of the basic data program and the digitization of management processes this entails.

You can read more about the work with a modernization and revision of the Planning Act on the planning and area portal and the basic data program on the national geodata portal NunaGIS.

Department of National Planning by e-mail: landsplan@nanoq.gl