Plans and policies relating to national land and regional development

<System of national land policy>

As is the case with other European countries, Finland has no spatial plan for the whole country.

National land and regional policy is composed of regional development policy system as a socio-economic development plan and land use planning system as a spatial plan.

Policy system of regional development

<Laws and ordinances relating to regional development>

• -Act on regional development (No 1651/2009; issued on Dec.29, 2009)
• -Government Decree on regional development (1651/2009, issued on Dec.29, 2009)

Land use planning system

Finland's land use planning system was revised over these several years (according to a literature written in 2011).

Regional land use plan comply with Land-use and Building Act (132/1999)

Current Regional Policy

<Direction of Regional Policy>

Finland traditionally had a basic principle of treating inhabitants and others equally in providing services. Also there are region-specific characters and advantages. The nation is expected to prosper by making good use of those hereafter.

As is the case in Japan, ageing society is rapidly progressing in Finland. It is necessary to examine all kinds of countermeasures which will take in vitality of private companies and this is needed to be supported by regional policy. There is an intention of transferring the regionally specified structure of industry to a diversified industrial structure.

Change of system through transfer from vertically divided society to cross-sectional and horizontal society, and from top-down approach to bottom-up and customer-centered approach (for customers and inhabitants)to take in demands from lower-level.

Make digital technology utilized for rural-area promotion. In the future, by making use of information and communication network, enable administrative information to be retained in an optimum level --- efficiently by smaller number of people.

<Regional Innovation Measures>

The core organization responsible for research and innovation policy is Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Ministry of Education and Culture handles education, science policy, universities, higher education and Finland Academy. Ministry of Employment and the Economy handles the business related to industry/innovation policy, Tekes and VTT Technical Research Centre. About 85 % of the national research funds is spent by these two ministries.

Centre of Expertise Programme which started in 2002 is the core measure of regional innovation policy that plays an important role in the aspects of information and expertise within national growth strategy. This program gathers resources nationally, regionally and locally, exploits top-level expertise, underpins regional strength and expertise and deepens cooperative relations among the professional knowledge centers.

As of Centre of Expertise Programme 2007-2013, 13 national clusters were designated, which were implemented by 21 professional knowledge centers. The clusters and professional knowledge centers represent the highest expertise in each field of expertise.

Professional knowledge centers will implement projects through collaboration of research sector, educational institutions and business/industrial sector. These projects will enhance competitiveness of companies, strengthen and improve regional expertise, create new business and promote creation of new environment for innovation.

Centre of Expertise Programme has temporarily been stopped in 2013 due to the establishment of Katainen administration (National Coalition Party). (the programme sustained for 12 years)

Under the new administration, implementation of INKA (Innovative Cities programme) is centered by TEKES (Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation).

<Rural Policies>

95% of the national land of Finland is rural where 31% of the population lives.

In rural areas, out immigration to urban areas and ageing society is progressing rapidly.

It is important to continue providing appropriate services which will open the way to rural areas' employment.

Rural Policy Committee has been operating in Finland for 20 years. It was governed by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry until 2 years ago but now the role is transferred to Ministry of Employment and the Economy. All of the ministries related to daily lives of the people are involved in rural policy. In deciding any of the matters, the administrative body must consider each rural area's characters and specialties.

Rural policy is divided into "broad" and "narrow" policies. Composition of narrow rural policy is mainly the assistance toward rural areas through EU Structural Reform Projects.

There are many organizations involved in rural policy. Rural Policy Committee functions as a body to implement concentrated and efficient rural policy.

<Policies for Disadvantaged Areas (Policies for Ethnic Minority "Sami")>

Ethnic Minority "Sami" (Laplanders) lives at the north of Finland. Today Sami parliament exists and they are guaranteed by the law.

Many inhabitable areas for Sami are designated. Although not a complete autonomy is guaranteed they can decide their language and culture on their free will.

On governmental implementation and enactment of laws, when it is expected to give any impact on the lives of Sami, it must be noticed to Sami parliament. For example, consultation is needed for land use, use of law-controlled preserved area and use of mineral resources.

Plan for Metropolitan Area (Helsinki)

Name	Vision 2050
Planning Period	- 2050 (Draft for 2015 will be finalized in December 2014)
Establishing Body	Helsinki City
Legal Placement	Master Plan complies with Land-use and Building Act (132/1999). There is no specific legal placement for Vision 2050.
Objective of the Plan and Development Strategy	<Seven Vision Themes> ①Helsinki is an Urban Metropolis Pulsating With Life, ②A City of Appealing Living Options, ③City of Economic Growth and Jobs, ④City of Sustainable Mobility, ⑤Recreation, Urban Nature and Cultural Environment, ⑥Helsinki's Seaside Areas, ⑦International Helsinki and Helsinki as Part of the Region <Urban Structure Model: The Rail Network City> Expanding General Helsinki --- Increasing the efficiency of land use in motorway-like environments and transforming them into urban city space Suburban Centres Turned into a Centre Network
About The Metropolitan Authority	It was announced by the government publicity on August 28, 2014, that "The Metropolitan Authority will be established mainly to solve land use, housing and transport problems. The government's proposal will be submitted on Dec. 4, 2014. The Metropolitan Authority will start operation with the election of local government in 2017." Responsibilities of The Metropolitan Authority are to prepare the plans (regional plan, master plan and detailed master plan, if necessary) and to implement the plans which will surely be included (including plan, programme and other sufficient measures), and also execution of the following regional public laws; planning and management of public transport (Helsinki regional transport), environmental affairs transferred from Helsinki Regional Environmental Service Authority (ヘルシンキ地域環境サービス局) and Uusimaa Regional Council, etc. Funding of The Metropolitan Authority which is becoming independent will be secured by income of current joint municipality, transfer from the central government and fund raising tool which will be specified during the organization's preparation. The Metropolitan Authority does not have an individual authority to raise taxes. The resident's total tax rate will not be exceeding the current level. The Metropolitan Authority will be provided with election council to enable election with consideration of representativeness of regional aspect and party politics.

Plan of Local Central Urban Area (Oulu)

Name	New Oulu Master Plan
Planning Period	-2050 (now being established)
Establishing Body	City of Oulu
Legal Base	Land-use and Building Act (132/1999)
Objective of the Plan and Development Strategy	Hold the increasing population and housing compactly while creating vibrant city. Upon the past process of urban structure formulation, aim at sustainable town planning through development of public transport and appropriate use of land. By designating developing zones, define development characters and quality of urban and rural areas to induce usage of land.
Main Features	Master Plan of Oulu is established on the basis of Finland's land use planning and also Oulu City's general vision and strategy. At the same time, it is based on the basic plan of Multilateral Agreement of Intent (MALPE) which was established in 2013. The plan is due to be revised every few years and it is established upon the cooperation of national outpost agency, regional council and related local authorities. The 2013 plan deals with; land use, housing, transport services and business. Efficient implementation with no overlapping will be enabled by integrating national development plan and other plans such as those of City of Oulu and regional plans.

Transnational and Extensive Issues on Spatial Policy

Formulation of open business platform (The Northern Growth Zone) is envisaged, which will be shared among the Balkan States including Russia. Finland is a crossover country of European communication and the great expectation of growth leads to the high regard of the concept.

Formulation of Barents Link is being under consideration which is a route of Atlantic Ocean - Finland - Siberia. It is intended to change the Europe - Far East course from the route via Suez Canal to the route connecting north end of Barents Sea and the Far East. If it succeeds, there is a chance for logistics upon Barents Sea route to become more active.

In relations with Japan, the route will correspond to Northern Sea Route.

Russia, having a vast national land, considers to strengthen partnership with areas around the border. In 2010, Russia designated an area called Euregio Karelia and examined about strenghening of partnership with Bosnia, North Bosnia, regional council of North Karelia and Kainuu. Upon achieving partnership with Russia, there are strategies such as preparation of border crossing and development of transport network, especially roads. As prioritized issues, there are; infrastructure development of border area and border crossing and attraction of Russian tourists.