It pulls together 20 existing planning polices into a single Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS).
The SPSS confirms the "precautionary principle" approach to fracking, a method of oil and gas extraction.
It means fracking will not be allowed unless there is "robust evidence" of its safety on all environmental impacts.
It also confirm a "town centres first" approach to retailing.
The SPSS will be used as a guide for councils in the development of new Local Development Plans.
Mr Durkan said the final document had been informed by "a lively and constructive debate" following the publication of a draft version.
He said that, as a result, the final SPPS had been "much improved".
However, he said that there were significant issues raised which were beyond the scope of the SPPS, particularly in relation to renewable energy and strategic policy development in the countryside.
"Publishing the SPPS unlocks development potential, supports job creation and will aid economic recovery. but not at the expense of our planet, environment and people," Mr Durkan said.
"It consolidates over 800 pages of existing policy into a single document and brings clarity and certainty to important planning matters throughout the north."
The environment minister said that significantly and for the first time, a "no to fracking" was enshrined in policy, unless there was sufficient and robust evidence of its safety on all environmental impacts.
"I believe this is a sensible and reasonable approach," he said.
Overall, Mr Durkan said, this "key document" would "help ensure that the planning system delivers for all, now and for future generations".

Wasilu Umar admitted killing her husband, who was more than twice her age, by concealing rat poison in his food, the police in Kano said.
Three other people also died and 10 were taken to hospital apparently after eating the same food.
Child marriage is common in Nigeria, especially in the mainly Muslim north.
The girl's father had forced her to marry the 35-year-old man, police said.
The marriage took place last week, police superintendent Musa Magaji Majia told the Associated Press news agency.
The BBC's Will Ross in Nigeria says Islamic police are trying to stop parents from forcing children into marriages against their will and the father could be charged.
The teenager is likely to be tried in a juvenile court.

The winner of the award, previously known as the Samuel Johnson Prize, will receive £30,000.
It aims to recognise high quality non-fiction works published in English.
It is open to books in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography and the arts.
Flanders, now a chief market strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management, said: "The Samuel Johnson Prize has helped changed the way we think about non-fiction writing in this country, with a yearly reminder that great books truly can come out of anywhere - and anything.
"Personally I'm delighted to be chairing the award in its new incarnation."
Prize director Toby Mundy said: "This is the beginning of a very significant new chapter in the story of Britain's most prestigious non-fiction prize."
Submissions will be accepted from 23 May, with the winner announced on 15 November.
A planning blueprint for Northern Ireland has been published by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.
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A 14-year-old girl in the northern Nigerian state of Kano has confessed to killing the man she was forced to marry, police say.
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Former BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flanders is to chair the judges of the 2016 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction.