Improving efficiency in Finnish public land use processes – regulatory change and digitalisation in focus

Abstract

The efficiency of the public sector is a major discussion topic internationally. The discussion often refers to a need to review, renew, or reform public regulation in an attempt to balance the public economy, citizens’ needs, digitalisation, and sustainable use of resources. For example, Finland aims to redesign built environment regulation and promote digitalisation both on local and national levels, while balancing efficiency needs. This paper explores the potential to improve public land use processes through enhancing efficiency in the building permit process. The paper studies possible solutions based on the case development processes of two Finnish cities, and reflects them on a nationwide context by interviewing key persons in municipal land use management. Based on the findings, the challenges in achieving efficiency lie on the complexity of processes, public sector’s management, organisational culture, and needs of co-operation in multiple levels. Especially problematic is the unpredictability of the process, possibly outweighing the tangible benefits of the development. Digitalisation, including the use of data models and 3D BIM in automatisation, interaction, and knowledge management, is anticipated to aid the efficiency of the land use and building permit processes the long run.  Findings suggests that, to emphasise the development in land use and building permit processes, fostering a new way of thinking and redesigning the public sector’s operating model is essential. The redesign should focus on more strategic management, and a new mindset for designing and conducting public processes. A successful new operating model and a renewed mindset would enable the adaptation of regulatory renewal, digitalisation, as well as sustainable use of resources.