Municipal Planning

PAG - Current situation

The situation of the General Development Plans (PAG) on 1 June 2024 is as follows:

The last 5 municipalities to have started the procedure are:

• Vianden, on 25 January 2023;
• Kopstal, on 8 March 2022;
• Viichten, on 19 January 2022;
• Lenningen, on 17 November 2021;
• Sandweiler, on 11 November 2021.

The last 5 municipalities to receive ministerial approval are:

• Biwer, on 26 March 2024 ;
• Bissen, on 29 February 2024 ;
• Weiswampach, on 8 February 2024 ;
• Wahl (Groussbus-Wal), on 20 December 2023 ;
• Tandel, on 12 December 2023.

The city of Wiltz has a PAG "version 2011", covering the former territory of the city of Wiltz before the merger with the municipality of Eschweiler, and a PAG “version 2004”, covering the territory of the former municipality of Eschweiler.

PAG – General Information

What is a PAG?

The General Development Plan (PAG) is a set of graphic and written regulations completing each other, and covering the entire municipal territory, which they divide into various zones to regulate land use.

The objective of the general development plan is the judicious distribution and placement of human activities in the various zones that it defines in order to guarantee the sustainable development of the municipality, as defined by Article 2 of the amended Law of 19 July 2004 on municipal planning and urban development.

Each municipality is required to have a general development plan covering its entire territory. Two or more municipalities may develop a joint project, which stands in lieu of a general development plan for each of them.

Currently, there are three different types of PAG:

• PAGs under the 1937 regulation: These are the oldest PAGs, which comply with the Law of 12 June 1937 on the development of towns and other major urban areas.
• PAGs under the 2004 regulation: These comply with the provisions of the Grand-Ducal regulation of 25 October 2004 on the content of the general development plan of a municipality.
• PAGs under the 2011 regulation: These comply with the provisions of the Grand-Ducal Regulation of 28 July 2011 on the content of the general development plan of a municipality.

In 2017, new Grand-Ducal regulations entered into force in parallel with the so-called "Omnibus" law. These include the Grand-Ducal Regulation of 8 March 2017 concerning the content of the general development plan of a municipality, which introduces a new regime. However, the latter does not change the fundamental structure of the 2011 scheme but aims above all to simplify administrative constraints.

What are the advantages of the "new generation" PAG?

The PAG "version 2011" or "new generation" provides municipalities with a tool capable of facing the challenges of contemporary urban planning, by allowing the realisation of sustainable neighbourhoods that provide future users with a high quality of life in an attractive environment.

The old PAG "version 1937" can hardly achieve the above-mentioned objectives, as they contain overly rigid and standardised urban planning regulations, which make it difficult to react flexibly to the constraints and specificities posed by the various sites to be urbanised.

For the construction of new neighbourhoods, the PAG "version 2011" proposes a series of instruments that are not exclusively limited to the determination of construction volumes, but also pay closer attention to ensuring a good blend of different living and working spaces (single-family homes, flats, studios, offices, shops, etc.). These are key elements to ensure vibrant neighbourhoods that promote social cohesion and a sedentary lifestyle.

Thus, these PAGs are able to reconcile a building density adapted to current needs with a high quality of life for citizens and meet the challenges Luxembourg faces due to unprecedented economic and demographic growth.

What is the procedure for adopting a PAG?

The procedure for adopting a PAG generally extends over a period of 11 to 14 months.

What are the deadlines set by law?

Municipalities who still have a PAG “version 1937” had to comply with the requirements of the law currently in force by initiating the procedure for the adoption of a PAG "new generation" by 1 November 2019.

Special Development Plan (PAP)

A special development plan (PAP) covers one part of the municipal territory that is urbanised or is to be urbanised by implementing and specifying the PAG, taking into account the type of land use defined therein. The PAP establishes a set of urban planning regulations that meet the objectives of Article 2 of the amended Law of 19 July 2004 on municipal planning and urban development (sustainability, harmonious development of neighbourhoods, quality of life, etc.).

There are two types of PAP to be distinguished, the PAP “new district” (PAP NQ) and the PAP “existing district” (PAP QE).

• The PAP NQ covers an area yet to be urbanised, proposes a concrete urbanisation project, and defines the shape of the public space, of building lots and future constructions. It must include a written and a graphic part and be accompanied by a supporting report.
• The PAP QE covers an already urbanised area and defines the rules of integration of constructions according to the characteristics of the existing constructions. It is developed on the initiative of the municipality and adopted in parallel with the PAG at the time of its first establishment, and includes a written part.

PAP consultation platform

The aim of the consultation platform is to serve as a one-stop shop for urban planning and aims to allow municipalities and project initiators to be advised before the preparation of their PAP, prior to the submission of the file into the adoption procedure.

In order to make an appointment with the platform, please fill out the attached form and send your request by e-mail to the person(s) in charge of the PAP consultation platform, which you will find in the departments directory.

Regulations regarding buildings, public roads and sites

Article 38 of the amended law of 19 July 2004 on municipal planning and urban development requires that each municipality issue a regulation on buildings, public roads and sites (hereinafter referred to as the "building regulation").

The regulation on buildings focuses on the solidity, safety, hygiene, durability and convenience of public spaces, sites, constructions, buildings and facilities and their respective surroundings, in accordance with Article 39 of the above-mentioned law. The building regulation also determines the procedures for issuing building permits, the standards for the set-up of construction sites, as well as the rules for fire prevention and the destruction of buildings in danger of collapse.

That said, it no longer contains, as in the past, urban planning requirements such as provisions relating to building heights and positioning, which are now only included in special development plans.