The Dynamics of Legislation in Relation to Regions and Localities, with Special Reference to Austria—A Preliminary Statement

Abstract

This author deals with processes of lawmaking, the dynamics of legislation in time, and the relationship between legislation and spatial development. The question is posed as to which way the legislation promotes, regulates, or prohibits the use of space (natural resources, given or new locations, transport routes, etc). Approaches to set societal norms in this realm became common in the development of Raumordnung (regional policy) as a public task, as it has been developed for example in the Federal Republic of Germany, in Switzerland, and in Austria. The author first introduces political theory from the perspective of General Systems Theory, and then discusses the dynamics of legislation in Austria 1958–1985. Two case studies are detailed: One of control of air pollution, and one of regional and local planning.