Georgian Parliament is considering amendments to the Spatial Planning, Architectural, and Construction Activity Code in the third reading, – Parliament announced this week.
“The amendments will require the inclusion of a greening project with modern environmental standards in documents submitted for developing a detailed development plan and issuing a construction permit.
“This will make the existence of a greening project a mandatory requirement in the construction process throughout the country, promoting the emergence of new green spaces, improving the environmental situation, and preventing chaotic development.
“The draft law also establishes the definition, terms, and conditions of the greening project,” the Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, Maia Bitadze stated at today’s briefing.
As Bitadze noted, the proposed changes aim to make the greening component an integral part of the construction process nationwide. She believes that the bill will promote the creation of new green spaces, enhance environmental conditions, and prevent haphazard development. The draft law outlines the definition, terms, and conditions of the greening project.
Bitadze noted that the greening project approach has been successfully implemented in Tbilisi since 2019, and its positive results are already visible. The draft law proposes that the obligation to submit a greening project will not apply to individual residential houses. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Municipalities must determine the types of green plants to be planted within their administrative boundaries, as well as the rules and conditions for planting green plants, issuing permits for cutting green plants, and implementing their compensatory planting, by January 1, 2024.
Bitadze also noted that the Committee, together with donors and experts, will assist each municipality in being prepared for the effective implementation of the law’s requirements.
