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National Urban Development Policy

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These topics move us

The ecological, economic, social and cultural challenges of our time all come together in the city. Integrated urban development mediates between different content-related, spatial and temporal levels of urban planning and urban politics. It takes a variety of topics into account - from climate change to the transport and energy transition, from digitisation to affordable housing to the “Economy 4.0”, from social cohesion in cities to democratic participation. Developing an integrated city means bringing these topics together across disciplines and balancing the various interests involved. Always with the aim of developing future-oriented solutions for the sustainable development of the European city.

Our Key Issues

Coproduction


We all "make city". We are part of a democratic community. We actively and cooperatively search for solutions and make decisions - based on constitutionality, respect and responsibility. How do we develop future strategies for our cities that are based on the common good and social cohesion? How can self-organised coproduction be realised in order to develop ideas on an equal footing, to make decisions together and to create a co-productive city?


Increasing commitment to urban society

In our lively urban societies, the willingness to get involved is growing. Whether for the common good or for their own interests: Many people are ready to get actively involved in urban development and confidently experiment with formats and approaches. The reasons for this growing commitment also lie in the intensification of conflicts in everyday urban life: about inexpensive living space, fair distribution of public space, sustainable mobility or the protection of self-determined, non-commercial living spaces - and last but not least about the sovereignty of interpretation and the balance of power in the urban development. For many people, the “classic” formalised cooperation between citizens, politics and administration is no longer enough. They want more direct and quicker influence on local decision-making processes.
The willingness to commit and to voluntary civil responsibility is a good tradition in the development of the European city. Many civil society actors in urban development work for the common good and provide mutual solidarity. They network, develop new ideas and implement them with a lot of fun in new formats and clearly in public space. These “city makers” seek support, activate other participants and create new civil society offers for the neighbourhood or the entire city.

Negotiate and test coproductive approaches

A sustainable urban development policy is aimed at continuously expanding the possibilities for coproduction - to “make a city”. This means, for example, improving opportunities for participation or trying out new collaboration structures. Processes continue to develop in the city's coproduction. Traditional roles are changing, and communication is increasingly taking place in virtual space. The relationship between the actors, civil society, the democratically elected representatives, the administration and other experts from science, business and practice is changing. In the sense of a representative democracy, new balances and cooperative approaches must continue to be negotiated and tested in the future.
The National Urban Development Policy is a platform for the further development of public service-oriented, coproductive spatial and urban development processes. In project calls and research projects, actors try out innovative processes and bring them into practice throughout Germany.

Building and Living


We all have to and want to have a place to live. How do we make it possible for everyone to find a suitable apartment based on their needs and options? How do we find the appropriate balance between living as a basic need and an economic asset? How do we keep an eye on social cohesion? How much do we have to and want to regulate, for example in real estate? How do we limit the ecological consequences and the costs of building?


Affordable housing: a central concern of urban development policy

Housing is a key issue. It exemplifies the challenges of urban development policy, because housing shortages are growing, especially in prospering cities. Rent and purchase prices are rising and leading to a social polarisation between and in the neighbourhoods. Low-income households can hardly provide for themselves adequately. Growing cities and regions with space competition are simultaneously facing areas with stagnating developments, which are characterised by emigration, vacancies and fallow land. The result is regional disparities and a widening urban-rural gap. The conflicts over a socially just housing and land policy and equivalent living conditions intensify the political discussion.
Providing the residents with adequate and affordable living space and providing space as needed and in a targeted manner - these are the core issues of housing policy at the local level. The municipal housing policy also formulates architectural goals for further urban development.

Housing policy oriented towards the common good: space and process culture

As the planning authority, the municipality determines where and how what can be built. With the “cooperative development of building land”, municipalities in contracted market situations can contractually negotiate housing and socio-political requirements ("urban development contracts"). This is not possible in areas without special planning law instruments, since the existing area determines the approval framework (areas according to § 34 BauGB). Municipalities can create area provisions and then for instance sell their land with a socio-political objective to specific target groups (“concept awarding” to developers or actors who are oriented towards the common good, heritable building rights). As owners of urban housing associations, they can achieve further social or technical goals and have a price-reducing effect on the urban housing market.
Integrated urban development concepts define the goals of urban housing policy and name interdisciplinary implementation strategies as a medium and long-term framework. They also show new perspectives for housing markets in neighbourhoods that are characterised by oversupply. With many actors from politics, administration, the housing industry and civil society, market processes such as for example gentrification and structural vacancies can be evaluated jointly and agreed strategies may be implemented in continuous cooperation.
The National Urban Development Policy supports the development and dissemination of good examples of municipal building and housing policies and coordinates them with the use of nationwide funding instruments such as urban development funding and the further development of legal instruments.

Social cohesion


We all contribute to the diversity and social cohesion in our cities. How do we organise fair opportunities and support for those in need in our cities? How do we take responsibility for one another and avoid disadvantage? How do we strengthen our community and enable everyone to participate equally?


Together for a better togetherness

Inclusion, social participation and equal opportunities: These topics represent a central field of action for urban development policy. It is committed to social cohesion, solidarity and responsibility for the community in a culturally diverse and mutually respectful society.
On the one hand, this affects people with different resources, situations and needs for help. In the urban social space, multiple and interwoven problems are concentrated - such as unemployment, low levels of education, poverty, health problems or low social and political participation. Integrated strategies are therefore essential.
On the other hand, this affects structural problems as well as bad environmental conditions, poor infrastructure, overwhelmed neighbourhoods and educational institutions in disadvantaged urban areas. Municipal investments in infrastructure, open space or schools are fruitful if they are embedded in an integrated development strategy that arises from working together with the actors in the neighbourhoods.

From the neighbourhoods: New strategies for the social city

Integrated strategies initially formulate goals and approaches for specific target groups with special support needs, such as children, adolescents or senior citizens. Based on socio-spatial monitoring, overlaps of special needs among the target groups are examined, and offers of help and other disadvantages are identified. Considering the cross-cutting issues of inclusion, equal opportunities and health, space- and target group-related approaches based on the needs are then formulated. A particular focus is placed on deprived neighbourhoods.
Close continuous cooperation in cross-thematic and district-related networks is essential for the entire process - from observation to implementation. Quarter management plays an important role, especially in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, because they mediate between civil society structures and those involved in aid systems. The implementation of this mediation task is a great challenge due to the large number of actors and the complexity of the tasks. The National Urban Development Policy therefore organises a large number of special events within the framework of urban development funding: They serve the exchange and are intended to help promote new approaches and improve funding strategies.

Climate and Environmental Protection


The limits of the resilience of our world are obvious to all of us. How can we adapt our way of life so that we can protect and safeguard the climate and the environment, natural resources, biodiversity and healthy living conditions in the long term? Which contribution can we make through sustainable urban development in order to minimise our ecological footprint?


Climate change affects us all.

The consequences of climate change are becoming more and more noticeable in our everyday lives. Temperatures are rising and we are experiencing extreme weather such as long heat spells, heavy rain and floods. The effects are already affecting us all - they affect not only our well-being, but also our agriculture or our infrastructure. At the local level, a major contribution can be made to the protection of the natural foundations of life and the fight against global warming - as part of a sustainable urban development policy.
The national and international climate protection goals - limiting global warming, the Paris Climate Protection Conference (COP21) and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - provide a strong framework for concrete action at the local level. Supporting frameworks and funding programs at EU, federal and state level are indispensable.

What cities and communities can do to protect the climate

Cities and municipalities cause resource scarcity and climate-damaging emissions to a large extent, among others through land use and CO2 emissions in the context of energy generation, commerce, building use and transport. To protect the climate, emissions from these sources must be consistently reduced, for instance through the production of renewable energies, emission-free industrial areas and consistent closed-loop and recycling management, energetic district renewal and energy-efficient new construction. Larger shares of pedestrian and bicycle traffic and public transport are helpful as well as mixed-use quarters with short distances. In addition, resource and energy efficiency must be increased.
Although climate protection and climate adaptation are cross-sectional issues, it has proven to be helpful to develop separate climate protection concepts or master plans for climate protection with corresponding goals and implementation strategies (e.g. with climate protection management). Adaptation measures are intended to alleviate the consequences of climate change that have already occurred. Important planning measures exist, for example in the protection of cold air passages, retention and flood areas or in a system of connected green and open spaces that help to avoid the formation of heat islands in inner-city areas. Rather structurally shaped areas and connected green and open spaces are to be used systematically several times. This also reduces supply deficits in densely populated areas and improves the urban climate.
In line with measures for air pollution control, noise protection and the protection of biodiversity, the urban environmental and living conditions can be significantly improved by integrated strategies - such as the efficient use of space, the design of public space or architecture. Within the framework of the National Urban Development Policy, questions of climate protection and climate change adaptation have been dealt with intensively at the international level, particularly since the federal congress “Urban Energies”.

Digital Transformation


We all experience how quickly our lives are changing as a result of digitalisation. We are happy to make our lives more pleasant and we also care about our personal data. How can digital strategies help reduce our resource consumption and improve our work, education, health, democratic participation and social coexistence? How do we organise the data we need for good planning?


Digitisation as an opportunity: smart cities

Digitisation affects all areas of life. It also has a decisive influence on how we live, operate, use and shape the city. Especially in mobility, the wide availability of digital devices means that new products can prevail faster than before. New drive technologies, offers to control multimodal mobility and for navigation optimise route relationships and the choice of means of transport. They are inexpensive, useful and comfortable. They facilitate environmentally friendly, resource-saving mobility and increase the quality of life.
Digitisation offers great opportunities, especially for urban development. Public space is used less by more efficient traffic and can be redesigned with a new quality for pedestrians and cyclists. From intelligent management of the technical infrastructure and traffic flows to widely available educational offerings, “industry 4.0” to networking in the healthcare sector, online participation and digital administration: The development towards "Smart Cities" contributes to resource efficiency, resilience and quality of life in our cities and regions and promote sustainable urban development.

Risks of digitisation: how social is digital?

On the other hand, digitisation also brings challenges. We are increasingly dependent on applications and technologies of the platform economy as well as on a few global providers. This poses the risk of losing control and data sovereignty at the national as well as at the municipal level and of having insufficient design and configuration options. Massive changes can already be seen in city centres and district centres, especially in retail. Not only in rural areas a lack of broadband coverage creates new development disadvantages and increases emigration. The unequal spatial and social access to digital offers can deepen the social-spatial division and disadvantage entire population groups.
As a cross-cutting issue, impulses and interactions, opportunities and risks of digitisation in the relevant areas of action must be assessed in the urban development planning and local "smart city strategies" must be developed to use the far-reaching possibilities. Online formats, together with classic offers, can greatly improve planning and participation processes and reach wider target groups.
The National Urban Development Policy discussed the opportunities and challenges of the Smart City at an early stage and provides a Smart Cities dialogue platform. Finally, the "Smart City Charter" sets guidelines on how digitisation can be successfully designed for cities and municipalities with integrated development strategies.

Economy and Work


We all contribute to the prosperity of our community with our economic activities. How do we form a good framework for a diverse, well-connected and crisis-proof economic structure that secures regional development through its need for labour and its added value? How do we create attractive places of trade and supply that offer us all a high quality of life?


The changing world of business and work

A prosperous, stable and self-reinventing economy is a central basis for the development of our cities and communities. Sustainable growth and continuous innovation are based on a range of well-trained and skilled workers with creative milieus in multifunctional cities and districts, a broad scientific landscape, an active cooperation network of business, science, administration and politics and ultimately on an active social community.
The growth phase, which lasted for almost a decade, resulted in numerous developments such as continuous demand for space and resources, growing numbers of employees, the development of new forms of work, a largely compatible modernisation of the economic structure and a decline in unemployment, even in areas of structural change - albeit in some industries an increasing shortage of skilled workers becomes apparent. Sustainable production and consumption, sharing instead of owning: Currently, in order to conserve resources, possibilities of the circular economy in the sense of a sustainable change in the economy are being tested.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot yet be estimated but will have a restrictive impact on public budgets and their previously above-average investment activity. At the local level, extensive consequences for small-scale trade in district centres and commercial streets are expected. On the employment side, an increase in unemployment is not only to be expected in precarious employment, which will cause a great (also digital) need for further training and support. Digitalisation, on the other hand, can open new business areas that could have positive effects on economic and employment development.

New models for the city of the future

Urban development policy must set itself the aim of creating favourable framework conditions for balanced economic development. The support of future-oriented growth sectors and their necessary social and technical infrastructure ensures competitiveness of locations - considering the key goals of sustainable and integrated urban development.
Forward-looking space management, a strategic property policy and brownfield revitalisation as part of internal development enable demand-based availability of commercial and office space. Consulting and support services as well as exchange formats establish direct contact with start-ups and companies and they refer early to municipal conflict areas, synergy opportunities and need for action. With the district-related economic and employment promotion, housing-related and needs-based job opportunities can be created and new forms of working and doing business in the city can be tested, such as for example urban agriculture, urban production or new forms of recycling and reusing.
The National Urban Development Policy considers the topics of economy, work and urban development both as development tasks and as a social obligation, for instance in project calls or in exchange formats such as the federal congresses.

Mobility


We are all mobile in our everyday lives. How can we create efficient, city and environmentally compatible offers for the various mobility needs? How can the necessary paths be organised in a sustainable, resource-efficient and user-friendly way? How do we have to intelligently rebuild our cities and long-term infrastructure?


On the way to the future of mobility

Mobility needs in cities are increasing - especially with increasing numbers of inhabitants. As a result, both motorised private transport as well as buses and trains are increasingly reaching their capacity limits. The conflicts of use around the limited street and traffic area intensified. Traffic emissions that are harmful to health and the environment, such as noise, CO2, NOx and fine particles are also on the rise - and doubts about the dominance of motorised private transport in public spaces are also growing. Not only there, because parked cars also block private areas that cannot be used as green, play or exercise areas.
The further development of e-mobility and autonomous driving with the necessary infrastructure is a major (technical) political challenge. At the same time, digitisation and new mobility services offer convenient options for combining different modes of transport and strengthening the environmental aspects.

What the mobility of the future could look like

In the cities, many people consciously opt for environmentally friendly mobility. There is growing acceptance for a fundamental change of policy. Local authorities are already implementing a wide range of steps towards climate and environmentally compatible, sustainable and post-fossil mobility. In the modal split - the choice of means of transport - the proportion of environmentally friendly modes of transport should be increased significantly at the expense of motorised private transport. Some measures are indispensable for this, for instance

  • expanded networks
  • improvements in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
  • improved transfer opportunities and offers
  • further expansion of intelligent traffic management.

Traffic is effectively avoided in the mixed-use “city of short distances”. To this end, sustainable mobility concepts (SUMP - Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans) are developed, which not only provide information on mobility management, traffic organisation and traffic infrastructure, but also on the "fair division" of the road space and on suitable participation processes for planning and implementation. This is where new ideas for neighbourhoods can arise.
As part of the National Urban Development Policy, topic-based partnerships for the implementation of the Urban Agenda for the EU are developed, for example sustainable mobility concepts, which are discussed as best practice projects. Beyond, good experiences from innovative pilot projects are already practically applied to competitions for sustainable mobility.

Health and Sport


We all need healthy living conditions in the city - in our apartments, at our workplaces and in our free time. How do we minimise air, noise and heat pollution in our direct environment? How do we connect green and open spaces for easily accessible sports and exercise spaces? How do we ensure equity in health and equal access to prevention and offers?


Our goal: the healthy city

The “healthy city” must no longer be a contradiction. Healthy living and working conditions are fundamental goals (and duties) of urban planning under local responsibility. They are the prerequisite for the physical, psychological and social well-being of the population - and for the attractiveness of a city. A more health-conscious lifestyle, enjoying sports and exercise on the one hand, and a growing sensitivity to the harmful effects of noise, air pollutants and overheating in inner-city areas on the other hand call for increased responsibility for the socio-spatial dimension and therefore environmental justice. This responsibility applies particularly to disadvantaged neighbourhoods, because they are also burdened by health-related environmental problems, difficult access to health services and a limited amount of space.
Sport and exercise significantly contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Sport is not only practiced in municipal sports facilities and in clubs, but mostly informally - the entire city is a space for movement and physical activity! The increasing pressure leads to conflicts of use and competition for space. Again, it is about multiple uses for example of the school sports areas. Sport is particularly suitable for strengthening social cohesion, integration and meeting people from different backgrounds.

Health as a cross-sectional task of urban development

The urban development policy conveys different usage claims. Demand is constantly changing due to demographic change. The spatial tasks for urban development policy are correspondingly diverse:

  • healthy living conditions and movement-friendly public space throughout the city
  • double internal development
  • Demand-oriented sports facility development
  • environmental justice
  • health equity
  • connected sports and exercise rooms.

As a cross-sectional task, preventive health care and promotion must be actively taken up in all fields of urban development. Cross-departmental and cross-level cooperation and active cooperation in permanent work and network structures with civil society are a special opportunity and obligation here.
The National Urban Development Policy regularly deals with the close connection between the “healthy city”, environmental justice and the great opportunities of integrating sport and urban development.

Education and Culture


Lifelong learning ensures social, cultural, professional and democratic participation. Education and culture also promote the development of the community and the business location. How do we create a needs-based and accessible municipal education landscape as the basis for equal opportunities and individual satisfaction? How do we support a diverse and vibrant infrastructure of art, creativity and culture in our rich urban tradition?


Challenges for the urban education landscape

Urban cultural institutions take on educational mediation work, especially among children and adolescents, and increase their cultural education and participation offers, for example in libraries. In addition to their specific tasks, educational and cultural institutions are of great importance for increasing the attractiveness of a residential and business location, for tourism and for international locational competition. The large number of internationally important cultural institutions is a great location advantage, especially in the big cities. However, it also leads special financial challenges for the municipalities.
Social change poses major challenges for the educational infrastructure at the local level. In growing cities in particular, the demand for childcare offers often exceeds the supply. Children in disadvantaged neighbourhoods are at greater risk of achieving lower levels of education and failing to transition to secondary schools and work. Social segregation and social inequality are mutually consolidated here; further disadvantages are often the result. At the same time, the huge investment backlog in social infrastructure creates different prerequisites for successful learning, both in the buildings and in the equipment, especially in the digital equipment of public institutions, there is a need to catch up.

Develop and connect cultural and educational spaces

The strategies for action in urban development are therefore very broad in terms of education and culture, both socio-politically and spatially. They take into account day-care centres or socio-cultural district centres as well as globally operating concert halls.
In addition to the needs-based and target group-specific development of educational and cultural institutions, urban development policy focuses on the demand-based spatial distribution and networking in the municipal educational landscape - with a particular focus on stabilising disadvantaged social spaces. The combination of lifelong learning and civil engagement illustrate the central role of education and culture in urban development policy.
In the National Urban Development Policy, the support of the municipal level in the field of education and culture has a special priority, both in urban development funding and in investment programs.

Urban Development and Public Space


We all meet in the public space of our cities and communities. It is shaped by our use and its urban design. How can planning and building culture contribute to public spaces reflecting the goals and values of our community, creating identity and promoting our social coexistence?


Designing the public space

A fundamental characteristic of the European city is its public space. If it is freely accessible, safe and well designed, it enables equal social encounters. It creates identity, enables social participation and creates a feeling of belonging. For social coexistence, public space has always been of central importance: Here people continue to stand up for their own political position and show their faces.
The public space is not only shaped by the diverse uses of people, but also strongly by the urban design - as a testimony to the building culture that has often existed for many centuries. The balancing act between historical identity, authenticity and quality on the one hand and new requirements for the sustainable city on the other hand is a major challenge for the planning and building culture. Among others, central questions on the topic include:

  • How is the public space organised with its multitude of functions and in high quality?
  • What is a "fair distribution"?
  • How can the public space be inclusive?
  • What role do commercialisation and surveillance play?
  • What is the right degree of density and free space?

Planning and building culture: in dialogue

All of this can and must be openly discussed and agreed in a city as a contribution to the common good. Transparent competition procedures, planning workshops and a continuous dialogue on the function and design of public space and urban planning enable a creative discussion process, create balanced results and stand for a good planning and building culture.
Building culture affects the entire built environment and the interaction of all those involved. The public sector, as a responsible builder, should also act as a role model for urban and image-defining projects of private sponsors - in building construction as well as in the design of public spaces. In addition, the quality of all planning and construction processes must be ensured (e.g. through guidelines) and support building culture education. Because ultimately, liveable, intelligently structured living quarters and a valued public space are created through active use. For this purpose, it should be well designed and able to react dynamically to the ongoing change in use. New usage requirements, such as infrastructures for new forms of mobility, always with great responsibility for the history of the city and its importance for future generations.
As an open platform, network and innovation forum, the national urban development policy is an indispensable framework and part of the planning and building culture in Germany. It wants to raise public awareness for the importance of building culture, the advantages of sustainable urban development and the functions of public spaces.