In addition to the formal planning procedures listed in the Building Code, such as urban land-use planning, informal urban planning procedures, such as urban development framework plans, master plans, etc., are of great practical importance in planning practice. They serve to prepare, support, or coordinate formal urban land-use planning.

According to Section 1 (6) No. 11 of the Building Code, development concepts and other urban planning measures decided upon when drawing up urban land-use plans must be taken into account, i.e., they are part of the consideration process and result in a certain degree of self-commitment on the part of the municipality.