Naydenov studies the mechanism of expansion of urbanized territories at the expense of high quality agricultural land in sections of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. He traces the logic and aims of urban planning’s legal framework and the missing component – the integration of the European Landscape Convention in the process of designing or amending master plans. Stepping on the analyses of spatial data and field work, the presentation highlights the weak justifications for the expansion of settlements. Naydenov proposes ways to protect natural areas when designing or amending master plans.