Construction management

World Heritage values to be taken into account

Measures affecting the built environment and buildings are almost always subject to authorisation. In Old Rauma, the World Heritage value of the site must also be taken into account. When planning construction and alterations in Old Rauma, it is advisable to contact the authorities in good time. The management of construction work in Vanhan Rauma and matters relating to the management of the World Heritage site and World Heritage grants are handled by a number of different bodies working together.

Due to the special nature of Old Rauma, the area is subject to stricter control and monitoring than normal. Almost all alterations in Old Rauma require a permit. Even those measures that do not necessarily require a permit but are relevant are dealt with, where appropriate, either by the special body for Old Rauma or with the architect providing the design guidance.

The Old Rauma Specific Plan guides the implementation of the objectives

The implementation of the objectives set for the construction of the area is guided by the Special Committee for Old Rauma, which consists of representatives appointed by the City Government and experts from the National Board of Antiquities and the City of Rauma.

The special body must be consulted on building projects in the Old Rauma before any planning permission is granted. The architect in charge of the design of Old Rauma prepares the opinions of the special body on measures requiring a permit, which takes a position on the project under consideration and submits its opinion to the building control authority. If there is not unanimous agreement, a separate opinion must be sought from the The Finnish Heritage Agency.

The building inspectorate decides on permits

The architect providing the design guidance should be contacted about the measures at the very beginning of the design phase. In addition, the city will provide advice on the implementation of the measures. When the project involves the restoration of an old building to an identical one without any changes, guidance is available from the architect providing the renovation advice. For technical advice, advice can be obtained from the building inspectorate.

All permit applications (building permit, action permit, notification of action, deviation permit) are submitted to the City of Rauma Building Control, which also provides general advice on permit matters. It is necessary to contact the building control department well in advance of the planning stage to ascertain which permits are required for the measures.

Building ban

A limited building ban on the Old Rauma area for the purpose of changing the zoning plan entered into force on 13.7.2016. The ban is valid for two years at a time and can be extended if necessary due to the pending revision of the town plan.

The building ban is limited to:

• new construction
• demolition of buildings or parts of buildings
• extension of buildings
• minor alterations to façades
• changes of use

Authorisation to derogate

During the construction ban, projects affected by the ban must apply for a derogation. For these projects, you should contact the architect preparing the derogation in good time. The application for a derogation is submitted to the building control authority. Opinions on the application will be sought from the ELY Centre and the National Board of Antiquities. The planning department of the Rauma City Council will decide on the derogation.

The derogation permit only deals with matters relevant to the plan, so it does not remove the need to apply for a building permit and have the matter dealt with by the special body for Old Rauma. Thus, after the granting of the derogation, the details of the plan may still need to be modified before the actual building permit can be granted.

All permit applications (building permit, action permit, notification of action, deviation permit) are submitted to the City of Rauma Building Control, which also provides general advice on permit matters. It is necessary to contact the building control department well in advance of the planning stage to ascertain which permits are required for the measures.