The Master Plans are one of the main tools for sustainable urban development to
counter the effects of growing urbanization in the cities. But, at the same time, the process
of its preparing is the challenge to those concerned, especially in the ab
sence of standards
that embody the principles of urban sustainable. So, research started from the issue of
developing contemporary standards for preparing a sustainable master plan that achieves
the terms of Sustainability, and it adopted a reference study about the terminology and
theoretical concepts related to sustainable urban development, principles and sustainable
master plan and its objectives and areas of work. It adopted the International Planning
Standards adopted by various countries and international organizations specialized in
preparing Master Plans that contribute in creating more sustainable cities.
In the case of Latakia, it was found that the Master Plan, which was prepared in 2008
according to the Proposed Schematic Program for land uses, achieves only (51%) of the
conditions of sustainability; this figure does not meet the needs of Lattakia in the short
term and long term; it is also clear that the administrative side of the planning operation is
the main reasons that led to the unsuccessful master plan; in other words, the work,
according to the traditional planning standards and the limited laws and legislations, is not
enough, but must be accompanied by action planning and contemporary administrative
standards based on urban sustainability.