This paper takes a close look at the process of evolution of France’s spatial planning system. The rich background and solid approach of spatial planning in France, introduces this country as one of the pioneers of planning in various levels from local to urban and regional scales. The vision of this country during last decades especially in the field of spatial-physical development planning and monitoring developmental impacts shows a progressive and evolutionary process. Meanwhile, the essence of two levelled approach to planning that defines development at the strategic level and reveals its fruits at the action plan level has made France successful in achieving development goals and preserving its green-fields. In the inner cities with the approval of the new planning law of “Urban Solidarity and Regeneration” there has been a revision in land use planning approach and the mechanism of “Local Urban Plans” preparation has led to the integration of planning process.

Analyzing spatial planning system in different countries could help make appropriate decisions to improve functional system of planning in our country. Belgium, inspite of its limited area, has a unique planning system which is derived from political and social condition. Belgium has a federal system which is composed of three cultural societies and three economic regions. Spatial planning is in the authority of economic regions and each region has a different planning system. In the article general characteristics of the Belgium, urbanism problems and finally a brief of spatial planning system in the country has been presented. Analyzing spatial planning system in different countries could help make appropriate decisions to improve functional system of planning in our country. Belgium, inspite of its limited area, has a unique planning system which is derived from political and social condition. Belgium has a federal system which is composed of three cultural societies and three economic regions. Spatial planning is in the authority of economic regions and each region has a different planning system. In the article general characteristics of the Belgium, urbanism problems and finally a brief of spatial planning system in the country has been presented.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, most countries in response to the complexities and problems of urbanization began their first actions of spatial planning. Switzerland is not excluded from this list and started spatial planning acts from the lowest level and today, after more than a century, is continuing with emphasis on spatial planning principles of sustainability, public and private partnerships and using extensive modeling and simulation techniques and progress. The purpose of this article is to introduce spatial planning system in this country, and consists of three main sections: the first section is a brief introduction on the political, geographical, economical and social situations. In the second section, it examines the background, and difficulties of spatial planning system and section three has put forth some conclusions. Swiss spatial planning system is done in three levels: Confederation, Canton and Communes with emphasis on vertical and horizontal corporation at different levels of planning and autonomy of Cantons.

This article is investigating the town and country planning in Austria. Although according to new definitions spatial planning in Austria has been started during fifties and sixties of the twentieth century, the issue has been set seriously on the L?nder's agenda of planning as the main authorities since establishing Austrian Conference On Regional Planning (?rok) in 1971.The programs implement at three levels (federal, land and local) in a complex system of power distribution .Federal administration(Bund) is responsible for higher education, water management, railway transportation, highways and federal roads, mines, forestry and finance. The L?nder take responsibility for building laws and zoning, nature protecting, fishing and hunting, agriculture and tax issues. The information is gathered in the regional level and there is coordination among the Bund and adjacent regions in preparing the regional plans and programs. The L?nder provide the required recommendations for monitoring the municipalities and urban plans. The communities are the only level which the spatial planning is implemented in the whole area. This level includes 2342 municipalities (sometimes too small) except Vienna and 14 self-ruled cities. At this level the local plans are being proposed that are legally mandatory and they are required to anticipate the development principles, instrument and land use classification. The plans should be under surveillance and monitoring of the regional authorities. Accessing the European Union, spatial planning has entered a new era dealing with new political, economic and social circumstances and in accordance with interregional planning and new scopes in Europe Since1995.

Spatial planning system of a country is the array of its planning systems. Getting familiar with spatial planning system of different countries and their experiences could help for comparison and accommodation so that making decision and defining appropriate planning system could be done. This article has studied the spatial planning system of Portugal and since there are different factors affecting on the system which are geographical, social, economic, historical and political status, they have been mentioned first and then history of spatial planning and its actual planning with different plans and related rules have been explained. The reasons to select this country are its rapid economic growth and consequently other changes of its spatial planning in recent years.Spatial planning system of a country is the array of its planning systems. Getting familiar with spatial planning system of different countries and their experiences could help for comparison and accommodation so that making decision and defining appropriate planning system could be done. This article has studied the spatial planning system of Portugal and since there are different factors affecting on the system which are geographical, social, economic, historical and political status, they have been mentioned first and then history of spatial planning and its actual planning with different plans and related rules have been explained. The reasons to select this country are its rapid economic growth and consequently other changes of its spatial planning in recent years.