The study aims to clarify some important background issues: (1) the constitutional nature of the spatial planning decisions; (2) the interrelationship between spatial planning, construction permitting and various other relevant branches of environmental law (air, water, wastes etc.) and also some closely related branches of administrative law (forestry, mining etc.); and (3) the role of strategic environmental assessment as an integrative legal tool. All the country studies and the following summary starts with these issues and then analyses the possibilities of public participation in spatial planning procedures, together with the legal remedies available to the members and organisations of the public in case their participation rights or substantial rights to environment are infringed.
