ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the content of the spatial planning policy by which it is intended to achieve those goals. It also describes some substantive principles of land-use policy. The first five principles concern the location of development. They have been embraced for many decades, and by all levels of government: but municipalities in particular tend to interpret them differently from the national government. The national government has powers for requiring those lower levels to implement national policy. The 'Fifth National Policy Document on Spatial Planning' left more choice to the local governments, but within strict conditions. In particular, national government gave subsidies for 11 'key projects' designed to give an economic stimulus to certain cities: urban regeneration through property redevelopment. The national government, by making the housing associations independent, has placed itself and also municipalities in a weak position for implementing housing policy.
