Fläche unter Druck: Sozial-ökologische Dimensionen der Flächennutzung in deutschen Wachstumsregionen

Deutsche Städte werden immer dichter bebaut ‐ zum Nachteil von vielen Stadtbewohner(inne)n. Damit eine hohe Lebensqualität gewährt werden kann, muss Stadtentwicklung öffentliche Räume stärken. Denn gemeinschaftlich genutzte Flächen wie Parks oder Plätze können wesentliche Bedürfnisse nach sozialem Austausch oder Naturerfahrungen befriedigen und die Städte so lebenswerter machen.

The paper discusses the trend of ongoing land consumption in German cities and their implications for socially inclusive and ecological urban development models. Highlighting how land use in Germany has changed since 1990, we focus on housing and mobility ‐ the two sectors that have had the most impact on land consumption nationwide. Our analysis of ten demographically growing cities in Germany shows land consumption to be driven not only by demo-graphic growth itself, but also by modes of living and transportation that are exclusive to certain privileged groups. In the cities we studied, these developments would seem to benefit the few, but affect the lives of everyone. Based on these results, we sketch out various ideas and approaches that could support a socially inclusive and ecological urban development policy. Supporting a cultural shift from a private luxury model to one based on public welfare is crucial to reducing land consumption and ensuring that all members of the population can gain access to “the good life”.