Amendments will be made to the code on Spatial Planning, Architectural and Construction Activities of Georgia. The draft law, authored by the Ministry of Infrastructure, allows the investor to develop a general plan concept or spatial planning documents by themselves. In addition, the amendments allow investors to implement the project in the areas, which are not developed.
According to the package of changes, the concept of investment project provides development of the area with non-residential function and creates employment opportunities for the local population. The law should also determine the minimum cost of such a project.
The announced changes are especially criticized by urbanists. According to them, this document gives the investor opportunity to prepare a general plan or spatial development documents in favor of their own interests. At the same time, urbanist Zura Bakradze has questions about the possibility of developing uninhabited areas, as this change may damage the natural landscape.
The draft law also exempts the builder from submitting additional documents (expert research), if he intends to build second-class, or low-risk, buildings. Urbanist says builders will artificially try to move objects of any shape and size into a second-class building and avoid preparing additional documentation.
"It must not be allowed. This is not in line with European standards, it is a step backward. If these steps are taken, it means that Georgia does not have anything common with Europe and its real goal is to increase the profits of high-ranking officials through investors, as the system works like this today…
As for the lifting of the obligation to conduct additional research for second-class construction, safe and healthy operation of these buildings will be put under the question. If this change is approved, builders will artificially degrade the building class and fail to comply with the necessary standards, which will ultimately ensure the safety of the building. The investor will build it, sell it, then no one knows what will happen," said the urbanist.
Maia Bitadze, Chairperson of Environmental Protection And Natural Resources Committee at the Parliament of Georgia declares that the goal of the law is to reduce bureaucratic barriers as a whole, but there are issues to be clarified, including the areas, which are not developed.
"It is very dangerous to build in the areas, which are not developed. Additional criteria should be written and the question marks that exist today must be removed,” said Maia Bitadze.
