Developments and Drawbacks in Critical Infrastructure and Regional Planning: A Case Study on Region of Cologne, Germany

Abstract

Critical infrastructures (CIs) are of a dual character: they are a protection good that can be adversely affected by a threat, but at the same time, some infrastructure categories are dangerous in their own right. Because it integrates collaboration and decision-making on how space should be used, spatial planning is an important process in development of CI. Risk management utilizing spatial planning includes analysis and management tools that have a spatial and place-based context. In Germany, CI deserves protection as laid down in the Federal Regional Planning Act. This research paper starts from the hypothesis that regional planning is obligated to take the physical component of CI and its susceptibility against various threats into account. However, the administrative boundaries that define a region in this context is not the appropriate level of analysis for assessing the systemic criticality of CI which is up to territorial levels that consider an entire infrastructure network and to individual project approval procedures. The paper discusses the role of regional planning for the protection of CI by the example of the Region of Cologne, Germany. This research was collaborative in nature carried out between a scientific partner and the Region of Cologne that served as a so-called model region for “co-production of knowledge”. The role of science in this context is problematic because science cannot give a proof of normative aspects like the intended level of acceptable risk or the importance of the protection of CI. Science in this context is inconclusive. Thus, there was a need to involve all those experts of the regional administration that are legally responsible or involved in the assessment of risks and management of land. Throughout the project, this included representatives from the divisions of regional planning, natural protection, water management, immission control and crisis management. The entire team of researchers and practitioners came to an agreement on the various normative decisions, for example, concerning the research approach or the definition of susceptibility indicators. This collaborative approach, which is principally applicable in other regions in Germany as well, guarantees for applicability of planning decisions on the ground. Finally, using results from a GIS-based risk assessment demonstrated how regional spatial planning takes CI into account. The assessment results will be used by the administration of the Region of Cologne for the Environmental Report to be prepared for the new regional plan.