Urban Land-use Legislation in a Post- Socialistic Period. Example of Russia

Abstract

At this time Russia along with other countries formed in the territory of the former Soviet Union is undergoing the difficult transition from socialism which negated market-based relations to a system built on these very relations. This report describes specific aspects of this transition with respect to land-use legislation an town-planning. First of all, one should understand that until recently Russia had no land-use legislation and did not need such legislation. The reasons for this seemingly paradoxical situation are simple. For a long time all land was owned by the state. A solitary owner does not need laws, because these laws regulate the relations of different and equal parties. The state acted as one "supreme" ruler and thus relations in connection with land use had t he nature of orders and subordination. This arrangement did not need any laws and was based solely on administrative command methods. Decisions took the form of multiple government resolutions, departmental instructions, norms and orders but not a single law on land use was in place.