Social Approval for Planning Decisions in the Area of Development

Abstract

Social and economic needs, as determined by the goals of socio-economic development policy, are expressed in development strategies, plans and programmes, which the executive branch adopts at periodic intervals. Not only do such acts reflect the directions of reform, but also provide a frame of reference for the activities of public administration bodies. Planning has an impact on the interests of multiple entities channelling their actions towards the accomplishment of objectives motivated by the public interest. For this reason, one should establish the scope of legal admissibility and the extent of public influence on the substance of development-related planning decisions.

This study is thus concerned with the legal issues involved in planning social and economic development, focusing on the structural and procedural elements of the legislative process, all in the context of pursuing the ideals of civil society. Following an analysis of pertinent laws and regulations, it has become possible to identify the standards and assess the instruments that enable citizen participation in the process of development planning as well as result in obtaining social approval for the premises, solutions and measures included in policy acts.