Land management in Lithuania: Past and future

Abstract

Lithuania has a long-standing history of land management, which has been organized at the state level. The first legal measures to regulate territorial aspects of economic activities were made in the 14th century. Regional planning emerged in the 16th century and urban planning started to develop in the 18th century. The modern system of integrated territorial planning, comprising specialized designing instituions, was created during the 1950s and 1960s. An analysis of the main historical phases in Lithuanian land management is presented. The achievements, present problems, future prospects, and theoretical concepts are outlined. Also described are the practical problems that emerged when these concepts were implemented during the new socioeconomic circumstances of independence. Particular emphasis is put on the development of a geographical basis for the land management system, especially in planning nature and environmental protection activities.