Recent digital developments
Estonia has launched a database of spatial plans for the whole country in October 2022 called PLANK. Making the database mandatory is one of the critical components to succeeding; we had to make amendments to the planning act and update the regulation of formulation and structure where we introduced a classification for layers, files and attributes. At the same time, most of the attributes remained descriptive text data. We also limit the file format in which the work can be submitted. To ensure geographical data quality, we introduced requirements for spatial data based on business needs and international standards. The main goals are to access all spatial plans in force from one place. It is also a digital archive of spatial plans. It is possible to link other national databases information with spatial plans. In this project, we used the already existing e-Estonian infrastructure; for example, authentication with the help of electronic ID and data exchange with other information systems in the country via the X-Road.
At the same time, we are helping local governments to digitalise their detailed plans on paper, so stakeholders can find all spatial plans in one place. This ensures us quick access to spatial conditions. There are approximately 15 000 detailed plans in force in Estonia. Our approach is to digitalise step by step when moving upwards in digitalisation degrees and planning levels. DIGIPLAN study also addressed digitation degrees, that concept we already have adopted. We are only taking the first steps to digitalise spatial plans in force.
Future developments
Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture in cooperation with Ministry of Climate are starting to develop the spatial planning procurement information system (PLANIS) at the beginning of year 2024. PLANIS will be developed as a subsystem under e-construction (e-ehitus) platform. The e-construction has turned out to be a platform for different stakeholders that provides lossless exchange of standardized and trustworthy data throughout the building lifecycle. E-construction platform is an organic part of the unified digital ecosystem of the e-country and encompasses the whole building’s life cycle from planning and designing until demolition. All of these applications are compatible because they have a common architecture, language, and philosophy.