Urban Development in Germany: Experiences in Framing the Urban Future

Abstract

In 2007, Germany established its National Urban Development Policy that has its origin in the funding mechanisms for urban development that dates back to 1971. In its political commitment, it is based on the ‘Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities’ (2007) as well as the Urban Agenda of the EU (2016), also known as the Pact of Amsterdam and the New Urban Agenda of the United Nations (2016). The first two documents constitute joint agreements between all EU Member States’ Ministers, responsible for urban planning and development. They provide the basis for national urban development policies in European and EU Member States as well as for the policy-setting of the European Union. They emphasise the importance of integrated approach to urban development, better regulations, better funding and better knowledge for inclusive, economically strong and sustainable cities, including aspects of green cities and those of smart cities. Germany’s National Urban Development Policy is a joint initiative of the Federal, the regional (Lander) and the city-level associations (the Association of German Cities and the German Association of Towns and Municipalities). It was coordinated by the at that time Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and currently is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI) and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR). The policy programme mainly includes three fields of activities, conducting annual conferences for continuous dialogue between all stakeholders, actors and decision-takers; supporting projects for cities and carrying out research. Two main national funding programmes that help implementing the National Urban Development Policy are the National Urban Development Promotion Programme (Stadtebauforderung) and the Programme of Significant National Projects for Urban Planning (Nationale Projekte des Stadtebaus). Besides the aforementioned political agreements on the European level, the NUDP also receives assistance from the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds as well the Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) Initiative, the URBACT Programme and the activities of the Urban Development Network. Finally, urban policies and programmes in Germany are designed in the context of HABITAT III and the 2030 Agenda and thus help implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The urban policies aim at creating sustainable cities, including aspects of green cities and those of smart cities.