Physical Planning Information System of Croatia: Overview of the Contents and Current Status of Development

Abstract

The Physical Planning Information System was introduced in 2013 as the Croatian central physical planning point. It consists of a publicly accessible geoportal and a variety of modules, which are separate custom-made web applications for entering, uploading and editing alphanumeric and/or georeferenced graphic data by authorized users. Each module, such as eDozvola (ePermit), ePlanovi (ePlans), eNekretnine (eProperties) and a few others, supplemented by submodules in some cases, deals with specific tasks and processes in accordance with the regulations in the field of construction, physical planning, property appraisal, etc. In this paper we will present the concept of the information system as a whole, briefly review the functionalities of the recently redesigned geoportal, as well as some of the key modules, with an emphasis on the eKatalog (eCatalogue) module, which serves as a platform for discovery of spatial plans in force and other kinds of documents relevant for physical planning (i.e. territorial monitoring reports, scientific and expert papers, sectorial documents, etc.) by means of INSPIRE-compliant and custom metadata, and for publishing spatial plans and documents on the geoportal so as to make them available to the general public. Plans for the future development of the information system will also be outlined.