housing developments in european countries - Department of ...

Section 3
Policies
Policies Section 3
Table 3.4.1
Recent Technical Developments in Housing and Changes to Building Regulations
in European Countries
Guidelines 1999 incorporate principles underlying
the most recent thinking on housing provision and
conditions and regarding the format
Country
Building Regulations Measures and Changes
regeneration. Furthermore, targeted schemes for
of the ‘Housing Technical File.’ In the implementation
Spain
A number of Autonomous Regions have passed their
refurbishing social housing have been established,
of the Municipal Master Plans, particular attention
own legislation on building quality measures. Some
Cyprus
The Cyprus Organisation of Standards and Control of
including the Area Regeneration Programme and
was paid to exterior areas. Measures to support the
local councils also have their own regulations
Quality is responsible for standardisation of building
the remedial works scheme.
consolidation of existing urban areas and to
governing the technical inspection of buildings.
component units. Cyprus standards broadly conform
discourage the irrational occupation of urban land
Transposition of the EU directive on energy efficiency
to EU standards but some standards are being
Italy
Minimum housing design standards determine
have been introduced.
of buildings is in progress. As part of this the Thermal
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
harmonised. Education in energy-saving methods is
being carried out. Research and practice guidance
are being produced. A clearly defined and
comprehensive policy is being devised.
The Building Code is the principal legislation with
respect to construction and technical standards.
Housing construction can only be carried out by
authorised bodies. A draft building code is being
prepared which incorporates technical specifications
of housing designed for disabled persons. A new
version of ‘Residential Buildings State Standard’
guidance document is at draft stage.
Regulations are in force concerning sustainability of
dwellings, particularly with respect to energy, safe
building materials, water and drainage issues.
The Land Use and Building Act requires an obligatory
maintenance manual for each new residential
minimum ceiling heights of 2.70m in inhabited
rooms, and at least 2.40m in service rooms. New
dwellings must not be greater than 95m 2 in size.
Law 1072/69 establishes the standards for luxury
dwellings. Standards are often determined
according to specific regional legislation.
Lithuania Lithuanian building regulations meet EU
requirements, including those related to:
mechanical stability, fire safety, hygiene, safety of
use, noise and thermal efficiency. A qualification
system exists for personnel directing building
standards. The Law of Social Integration of Invalids
makes provisions for the needs of disabled
persons.
Luxembourg The law concerning rational use of energy
introduced in 1993 makes provisions for the
improvement of thermal insulation.
The regulations which currently apply to housing
construction standards in Portugal are as follows:
– General Regulations for Urban Buildings (Statute
Law no. 38382/51, enacted on 7 August 1951),
under review by the LNEC;
– Social Housing Technical Recommendations
(Ruling 41/MES/85);
– Regulation of Characteristics of the Thermal
behaviour of Buildings (Statute Law no. 40/90,
enacted on 6 February 1990), under review by
the LNEC;
– General Regulations regarding Noise;
– Safety Regulations against Fire in Residential
Buildings;
– General Regulations of Public and Building
Systems for the Distribution of Waste Water, and
– Regulation of Acclimatisation Energy Systems in
Buildings (Statute Law no. 118/98, enacted on 7
May 1998).
Sweden
Turkey
Installation of Buildings regulations are being revised
and a Building Energy Certificate is being
implemented.
The Planning and Building Act is being evaluated by
a parliamentary commission appointed by the
Swedish Government. A review of existing building
regulations to ensure conformity with EU regulations
is underway.
Local authorities are enabled to provide land for their
citizens under Planning Law No. 3194. The Planning
Law of 1985 and its by-laws describe the process of
issuing construction permits in detail. Local
authorities issue two types of permits –
Building/Construction Permit and Occupancy Permit.
Regulations on the construction of buildings in
disaster areas were amended in 1998. A new
building and construction supervision system has
been introduced to ensure safety of construction
building – this will increase the efficiency of
maintenance. Greater attention has been paid to
durability, life cycle and renovation of dwellings in
Malta
Current building regulations are governed by the
Code of Police Laws.
Romania
The Romanian legal framework is currently being
modified for compliance with EU legislation.
works and buildings. Housing construction and land
taxation systems have been amended to reduce tax
rates. Regulation on home insurance was amended
France
recent years.
Law number 2003-590 of 2 July 2003 on Urban
planning and housing (Urbanisme et habitat)
regulates the safety of lifts. Addressing unfit housing
is a priority of public authorities under the direction
of a long-term action plan. Progress in this regard is
also an objective of the new National Plan of Action
for Social Inclusion 2003-2005.
Netherlands
Building regulations are being improved and
simplified: the 2003 Housing Act and Building
Code amendments 2003 streamlined and
simplified the system. A national uniform
application form has been devised for building
plans. Municipal summons and obligation of
municipalities to determine their policy for control
and supervision have been simplified. The process
of integrating EU directives into Dutch regulations
continues.
Slovakia
Slovakian building regulations are gradually being
harmonised with EU legislation. Act no. 50/1976
Coll. on territorial planning and the building code as
amended are key initiatives in this regard.
Requirements for building products are already in
compliance with EU directives. The ‘Quality of Life’
research programme has been initiated to examine
measures to improve the internal environment of
buildings.
in 1998 to make home insurance compulsory.
United Kingdom The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is
undertaking a comprehensive review of Part L of UK
building regulations (conservation of fuel and
power). Amendments have been made to Part M of
the building regulations (access and use of buildings)
to facilitate the programme to deliver Lifetime
Housing Standards. Revisions to Part E (sound
insulation) were made in 2003 and there are new
Ireland
Building regulations are in place to promote good
practice in housing design and construction. Part M
of the building regulations places a statutory
requirement to provide adequate access to buildings
for disabled persons. Revisions to Part M require that
new dwellings include ‘visitable’ features for disabled
persons. Part L of the regulations concern energy
conservation measures which have been made
progressively stricter. Sustainable Energy Ireland is
undertaking the development of a national Home
Energy Rating programme in the context of the
Poland The Building Law is the primary legislation for
building regulations. All EU regulations related to
construction pre-dating Polish accession to the EU
have been implemented.
Portugal The National Civil Engineering Laboratory
monitors innovative construction and design
techniques and also tests construction materials.
The impact of urban regeneration projects on the
quality of health is currently being evaluated.
Slovenia A strategy for energy efficiency has been prepared –
the goal of which is a 2% annual improvement in
energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable
energy sources. Local authorities are required to
develop local energy programmes. The Building
Products Act includes regulations on: building airconditioning
and ventilation; anti-noise protection;
requirements for designing residential buildings and
dwellings and building design without construction
barriers.
provisions under the British Standard for electrical
installations (BS 7671). Measures to facilitate the
rollout of broadband and communications network
are at consultation stage. A sustainable and Secure
Buildings Bill is being progressed through parliament.
implementation of the EU directive on energy
Proposals have been put forward regarding a
efficiency of buildings. Social Housing Design
methodology to certify accommodation
116 European Union Report
Regular National Report on Housing Developments in European Countries
117