Regional, Town and Country Planning Act [Chapter 29:12]
Conserve and improve the physical environment
This Act, along with associated regulations and by-laws, empowers government and local authorities to manage and control how land is used and developed across the entire country, from vast rural regions to bustling urban centers. This includes protecting natural resources, preserving amenities, and promoting aesthetically pleasing landscapes and townscapes.
Promote health, safety, order, amenity, convenience, and general welfare
By regulating development, the law aims to create living and working environments that are safe, healthy, accessible, and enjoyable for all. It seeks to ensure that development occurs in a coordinated and harmonious manner, preventing haphazard growth and maximizing the efficient use of resources.
Regional Plans
These are broad, strategic plans prepared by Regional Planning Councils for large geographical areas. They set out major land uses, public utilities, recreational areas, and transportation patterns, forming the skeleton for more detailed plans. These are even more detailed plans, prepared for smaller areas within a Master Plan's jurisdiction, focusing on specific development projects, redevelopments, or improvements.