extravilan

Extravilan is a term used in land-use planning in Romanian-speaking contexts to designate land that lies outside the built-up core of a locality. It is the area outside the intravilan, i.e., outside the urban perimeter, and generally falls within the rural sphere of a commune or municipality. Extravilan parcels are typically used for agricultural purposes, forestry, pastures, bodies of water, or undeveloped land, as well as sites designated for rural infrastructure.

In planning practice, extravilan is distinguished in cadastral records and urban plans to separate non-urban land from the urbanized zones. Planning documents such as general urban plans and zoning plans define the permissible uses and development rights for extravilan areas. Construction of new residences or commercial facilities in extravilan is usually more restricted than in intravilan and may require changes in classification, exemptions, or special permits under local zoning and building regulations. Changes of use, subdivision, or new infrastructure projects within extravilan typically involve local council approvals and compliance with environmental and utility standards.

The extravilan category reflects the dynamic boundary between urban and rural areas. It is subject to development pressures as towns expand, which can lead to gradual conversion of rural land to residential or mixed-use purposes. The concept functions as an administrative and planning tool to manage land use, growth, and resource management in a controlled manner, while remaining distinct from the urban core.