Städtenetze als raumordnungspolitischer Handlungsansatz: Gefährdung oder Stütze des Zentrale-Orte-Systems?

Abstract

Urban networks as an approach to active spatial planning threat or support to the central place system? The article deals with the relationship between urban net works as a new instrument of spatial planning. The latter is seen as the basic structure in space, which guarantees especially in rural areas a minimum of public services and thus equivalent living conditions. Urban networks, as being in the general rule the spontaneous cooperation of neigh bouring municipalities, are to be regarded as positive. However, successful networks can interfere in the basic structure of the central place system. This is a challenge for regional planning to take up the position of a mediator to prevent the emergence of disadvantaged remnant areas. A normative definition of urban networks by regional planning is to be seen critically, because urban networks can hardly be successful without bottom-up initiatives.