Space management
A sustainable land management policy fosters ecosystems, biodiversity, traditional farming landscapes, the quality of life and the attractiveness of the region as a location for business and industry. Baden-Württemberg’s forward-looking and intelligent space management policy supports the internal development of towns, cities and local authorities with the objective of slowing down the use of new land. The background to this policy is the rapid pace at which previously unsettled land in Baden-Württemberg continues to be developed. The amount of land used for housing and transport purposes increased by 135% between 1950 and 2006. The number of homes has more than tripled since 1950 (+ 241%) and the number of one- and two-person households has almost quadrupled (+ 271%). There have been periods in recent years during which over ten hectares of land has been built on or developed for transport purposes in Baden-Württemberg every day. Although the daily rate of development fell to 8.2 hectares in 2008 – the lowest value since the mid-1980s – this is still far too high in the light of current demographic trends. More emphasis on the internal development of urban areas will help to further reduce the exploitation of new land. A policy of this kind will also help to make better use of existing infrastructures and will have numerous positive effects, such as:
Despite the obvious advantages, local authorities have not yet been successful enough in directing more of the demand for space towards unused or previously used land in the central areas of towns, cities or village communities. The State Government is pursuing an integrative, positively-oriented strategy to reduce land development in which all the affected players are involved.
At the heart of the strategy being followed in Baden-Württemberg are general awareness raising measures and target group-oriented information which is geared in particular to decision makers at the local authority level. The State Government has also initiated the “Saving Land” alliance, which is made up of institutions concerned with land use and internal development. Its members include top-level organisations representing local authorities, business associations and environmental NGOs, the Working Party of the Regional Association of Regional Planning Bodies, the Working Party of Baden-Württemberg Building Societies, the Baden-Württemberg Abandoned Sites Forum, Deutsche Bahn, the Chamber of Architects and the Chamber of Engineers.
- Lower costs for the public sector and for citizens
- Reduced energy consumption as a result of more efficient service and utility structures
- Lower volumes of traffic as travelling distances are reduced
- More cost effective development
- Improved basic services for families and senior citizens
- Greater social cohesion
Despite the obvious advantages, local authorities have not yet been successful enough in directing more of the demand for space towards unused or previously used land in the central areas of towns, cities or village communities. The State Government is pursuing an integrative, positively-oriented strategy to reduce land development in which all the affected players are involved.
At the heart of the strategy being followed in Baden-Württemberg are general awareness raising measures and target group-oriented information which is geared in particular to decision makers at the local authority level. The State Government has also initiated the “Saving Land” alliance, which is made up of institutions concerned with land use and internal development. Its members include top-level organisations representing local authorities, business associations and environmental NGOs, the Working Party of the Regional Association of Regional Planning Bodies, the Working Party of Baden-Württemberg Building Societies, the Baden-Württemberg Abandoned Sites Forum, Deutsche Bahn, the Chamber of Architects and the Chamber of Engineers.
