This publication clarifies issues and emerging concepts relating to a new integrated and holistic approach to land use planning in line with the needs of Chapter 10 (Integrated Approach to the Planning and Management of Land Resources) of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Definitions of land, natural resources and the various types of planning are presented and discussed. The paper introduced elements to be considered, such as land tenure issues, stakeholders, land qualities and sustainability indicators, together with the relationship between rural and urban planning. A planning sequence is briefly outlinedit begins with definition of objectives and includes the development of a framework for decision-making, the development of information databases and tools and multiple goal analysis. Finally the institutional aspects of planning and implementation are briefly discussed.