Czech physical planning at the crossroads: Towards the regulation of large-scale retail developments?
Abstract
The second half of the 1990s brought a dynamic development of Czech retailing and its spatial structure. Recent massive development of large-area commercial outlets, in particular, has revealed some problematic aspects and has also raised the question of whether their construction has to be regulated.
The role of local government in the decision processes about such developments is extremely weak. These processes are also complicated by a notably high level of bureaucracy.
While legislative documents proclaim the concept of sustainability as a key principle of future spatial development, its practical application will always depend on the will of the individual participants in the negotiation process. The paper argues that if a regulative approach to planning is chosen in the Czech Republic, planning offices must be respected bodies with enforceable rights that are bound to act as strong authorities and effective agents of spatial planning.