Regional land use planning is governed by the Land Use and Building Act (132/1999). A regional plan sets out the principles of land use and community structure, and designates areas reserved as necessary for regional development. It is a general plan that steers the member local authorities' own, more detailed planning (local master plans, local detailed plans or shore plans) and government authorities' land use planning and implementation in the region (for example transport network and other infrastructure).
In the regional plan, the four-year national land use objectives adopted by the Government are adapted to regional and local objectives. Also, land reservation needs of businesses are reconciled with environmental protection. In the planning of regional land reservation and infrastructure, the focus is on man, nature, the built environment and work environment, transport, energy and sustainable development from both national and EU perspective.