FE579 Monitoring the living environment
Shortened version of the working group report
Carita Strandell and Anna Strandell
The Finnish Environment 579, Land Use, p. 74. ISBN 952-11-1229-8 (PDF). Also available in print (ISBN 952-11-1228-X).
Abstract
The aim of developing a monitoring system is to obtain an overall picture of the state of the living environment and its various components, and to be able to monitor changes over time and from one area to another. It should be possible to evaluate the
impact of different measures on the state of the living environment and study the causal links between different phenomena. The report defines the concept of ?the living environment? and describes the elements that should be included in it. The report
also includes a survey of the people who use data on the living environment and the information they need.
The study develops a descriptive model for examining the living environment, based on the objectives of the Land Use and Building Act and national land use goals. The model incorporates quality targets in specific areas, which are more closely defined
as factors that have to be checked and environmental indicators. The model can be used for many different purposes, as a basis for monitoring at different levels of administration, in town planning and other aspects of environmental planning and in
environmental assessment of development projects.
The report presents a set of principles for developing and implementing a system for monitoring the living environment. Monitoring will provide basic information on the living environment for the use of officials, decision-makers and ordinary citizens.
The data to be monitored will be chosen on the basis of the descriptive model of the living environment. For the purposes of monitoring, areas will be split up according to functional boundaries such as built-up areas and housing areas, in addition to
administrative distric
As an action proposal, the working group suggests that in order to fulfil the monitoring duties in the land use and building legislation, ELYSE, the information system for monitoring the living environment should be implemented and that a cooperation
group should be set up to improve collaboration on monitoring the living environment by the authorities.
More information
Senior Architect Carita Strandell, Ministry of the Environment,
tel. +358 9 1603 9353, firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi
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