ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to compare the planning systems of the United States (US) and Finland and examines changes in planning structures, philosophies and approaches. Finland, with its traditionally centralized planning structure, contrasts significantly with the US Finland faces challenges to its planning approaches by its accession to the European Union and the necessity to adapt both new structures and methods. The structure of public planning in Finland traditionally has been highly centralized. A multilevel planning system prevails, augmented by a spectrum of special purpose agencies. The early 1990s were a time of radical change in the administrative and planning system in Finland. The responsibilities for planning have been transferred to the Ministry of Environment. Regional planning associations have been incorporated into the new provinces. Regional economic policy planning has been moved from counties to the new provincial governments. The fundamental idea behind regional planning earlier was the construction of the welfare state, with its operational environment centered only on Finland.
