Evolution of urban development and regeneration funding programs in German cities

Abstract

Germany looks back at a rapidly changing developmental period in which the western part of the country experienced economic prosperity during the 1950s, whereas the eastern part experienced a different start. This situation persisted till the German reunification in 1989. After reunification, Germany's policies were similar to those of the post-WWII period—it focused on the most important needs such as social injustice in cities and quarters and too much (eastern federal states) or too little (western federal states) living space. In more recent times, urban development programs have actively promoted sustainability and tackled the risks posed by climate change in accordance with the Leipzig Charter (2007). This paper provides an overview of the increasingly diverse financing programs implemented by German authorities and identifies the specific target of each program, in addition to budget size and regional distribution. The six major funding programs discussed were all active until 2019. They reflect the development of German city planning funding programs and clarify the diversity of the cities' needs. On the downside, this diversity led to a complexity that requires community planning experts to search for the program (s) that best suit their community's individual development concept and project. The paper also summarizes the most recent developments in terms of new programs and a leaner program structure. The German funding system continues to adapt as the conditions change.