On 30 June 2025, the transitional period established by Act No. 283/2021 Coll., the new Building Act, which came into effect last year, will come to an end. From this date, spatial planning authorities will be required to upload all documents related to spatial planning activities to the National Geoportal of Spatial Planning (in Czech: Národní geoportál územního plánování).
This obligation arises under Section 269 of the Building Act, which stipulates that documentation produced in the process of spatial planning must be published through a unified electronic information system – the National Geoportal of Spatial Planning, administered by the Ministry for Regional Development.
Although the unified electronic system became operational on 1 July 2024 – and some authorities have already started to upload relevant documentation – the obligation will now apply uniformly to all spatial planning authorities.
Until recently, spatial planning documentation in the Czech Republic was published in a highly decentralised and inconsistent manner, typically on the physical notice boards or local websites of individual municipalities. The absence of a centralised, accessible, and standardised repository created legal uncertainty, difficulties in document traceability, and limited transparency for both public and professional stakeholders.
The Czech approach reflects a broader European trend towards the digitalisation and unification of spatial planning data. Similar initiatives have been already undertaken for example in Germany (XPlanung) or the Netherlands (Ruimtelijkeplannen.nl).
The National Geoportal of Spatial Planning is the key instrument in the digitalisation of spatial planning in the Czech Republic. It serves as a publicly accessible platform for both draft and adopted planning documents and simultaneously functions as the official interface through which documents must be submitted by competent authorities. Among other content, the system includes (or will include) the Czech Republic’s Spatial Development Policy and the Architecture and Building Culture Policy.
The content of the geoportal is structured into several sections. The section “Spatial Planning Documents” provides access to adopted planning documents – such as municipal plans, regulatory plans, and regional development principles – including their legal status and consolidated versions. The “Draft Spatial Planning Documents” section lists documents currently in the process of preparation, consultation, or public review – including deadlines and attached drawings. The “List of Authorised Investors” provides an overview of entities authorised to participate in the spatial planning process on behalf of public interests (e.g., public utility operators). The separate section “List of Planners” records qualified individuals authorised to prepare spatial planning documentation under the relevant provisions of the Building Act.
In addition, the system integrates supporting modules, including map-based visualisation, territory-specific search tools, and a section on administrative and judicial decisions, which includes selected rulings that have annulled planning documents.
Until 2023, there was no unified standard for spatial planning documentation in the Czech Republic and such documents were typically made available only via individual municipal notice boards. The launch of the geoportal thus represents a significant step forward in the digitalisation of public administration in Czech Republic.
With the end of the transitional period approaching, planning authorities should ensure not only timely compliance with the technical requirements of the geoportal but also that internal workflows are adapted to the new legal framework. For stakeholders involved in development projects, The National Geoportal of Spatial Planning offers a reliable single point of access to verify zoning conditions and planning statuses.