Technologies

High-quality inner urban development [Germany]

Qualitätsvolle Innenentwicklung (German)

technologies_1698 - Germany

Completeness: 61%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Hoymann Jana

Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR)

Germany

SLM specialist:

Goetzke Roland

Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR)

Germany

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Book project: Making sense of research for sustainable land management (GLUES)
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Climate Change - Land Use Strategies (CC-LandStraD / GLUES)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Thünen Institute (Thünen Institute) - Germany
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A scenario simulation of land use change where high-quality inner urban development is promoted, including the rehabilitation of brownfields, reuse of vacant lots, use of gaps between buildings and the improvement of existing structures.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The best means of reducing land loss by settlement and infrastructure development is through fulfilling inner urban development potential. This “compact settlement development” makes the most efficient use of space. Simultaneously it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the maintenance of farmland or forest areas on the outskirts of urban areas. One example is the rehabilitation and utilization of “brownfields”, including previous industrial areas. Another example is redevelopment of transportation infrastructure within settlements or on the urban fringe. However, the revitalization and utilization of brownfields is often expensive. Other aspects of inner urban development are the reuse of vacant lots, the use of spaces between buildings and the improvement of existing building structures by adding extra floors.

Purpose of the Technology: Through these developments, the rate of daily land consumption by settlement and transportation can be reduced. In Germany, such land loss reached 73 ha/day in 2010. According to a survey commissioned by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning, 20% of existing brownfields and vacant lots can be brought into use in the short term and another 50% of the total in the long term: 30% cannot be developed for various reasons including disputed tenure. The ambitious aim of the sustainability strategy of the German federal government is to reduce today’s daily land consumption for settlement and transport from the current 73 ha/day to 30 ha/day by 2020. However this appears unrealistic: nevertheless with high-quality inner urban development technology, this could be achieved by 2030. If the technology is planned and implemented through scenario simulation of sectoral land use changes in Germany (agriculture, forest and settlements), then calculations show that the daily land loss by settlement and transport could be reduced from 45 ha/day in a “business as usual” scenario (with some improvements assumed) to 30 ha/per day in 2030 by using high-quality inner urban development measures.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: During re-densification of urban areas sufficient green spaces must be protected to address climate change considerations such as higher temperatures and more runoff. High urban densities lead to an increase in the “heat island effect” (a combination of extensive urban/ suburban landscapes with reduced air circulation, little cloud cover and long periods of high temperature). Thus, the rehabilitation of brownfields has to go along with the transformation of impervious surfaces into permeable ones, and planning of corridors for air exchange by “green and blue climate corridors” (public parks, ponds and rivers). There are several initiatives to establish high quality inner urban development in Germany. These include: 1) “Inner before external” urban development within the Federal Building Law; 2) Many communities operating a brownfields and vacant lots cadastre; 3) General management of urban areas. Nevertheless, the reuse of inner city brownfields often requires considerable and costly remediation of contaminated sites. Due to the ownership issues of vacant lots, many are not easily accessible through municipalities, and this complicates their development. In other cases, available construction areas or buildings are not appropriate to the needs of investors.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Germany

Region/ State/ Province:

Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia

Further specification of location:

Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis and Rhein-Sieg-Kreis

Comments:

Boundary points of the Technology area: 51.075063; 7.335960
51.164380; 7.251345
51.107561; 6.988673
50.816401; 7.674266
50.585640; 6.892780
50.793044; 6.867394
Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 1590 km2.
Technology is the result of a scenario simulation fow whole Germany but is mapped in the Rhine region as an example.The technology does not document a specific inner urban development project and the region mapped is an example. In some German cities inner urban development is a common land management measure but the amount of current inner-urban development cannot be quantified. The potential is estimated as 120000 to 165000 ha.

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology documented here is a scenario simulation of land use change and not the realisation of a specific inner urban development project.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Settlements, infrastructure

Settlements, infrastructure

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Land use for settlement and transport leads to imperviousness, and a reduction of high quality agricultural areas. Sealed surfaces increase runoff during heavy rain events, and high building densities promote the development of urban heat islands.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): In fast-growing regions, high demand requires the supply of additional land for construction.

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Other: Oo: Other: wastelands, deserts, glaciers, swamps, recreation areas, etc

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: not applicable

Constraints of settlement / urban: Data availability for locations of brownfields, vacant lots and vacancies

Constraints of infrastructure network (roads, railways, pipe lines, power lines): Data availability for locations of brownfields, vacant lots and vacancies

Constraints of recreation: Data availability for locations of brownfields, vacant lots and vacancies

Constraints of brownfields: Data availability for locations of brownfields, vacant lots and vacancies

Number of growing seasons per year: 1

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • No (Continue with question 3.4)
Settlements, infrastructure

Settlements, infrastructure

  • Settlements, buildings
  • Traffic: roads, railways
Comments:

Other: Os: Settlements, infrastructure networks

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • Compact settlement development

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

management measures

management measures

  • M1: Change of land use type
  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
Comments:

Main measures: management measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pk: slaking and crusting
  • Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bh: loss of habitats
  • Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Pk: sealing and crusting, Bh: loss of habitats, Bq: quantity / biomass decline

Main causes of degradation: urbanisation and infrastructure development

Secondary causes of degradation: population pressure, inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …), governance / institutional

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Green and blue structure like parks, trees, alleys (green) and water areas like rivers, canals, ponds and lakes (blue) are relevant issues especially with respect to the climate adaptation

Technical knowledge required for scientific staff: high

Main technical functions: spatial arrangement and diversification of land use, reduces the loss of agricultural land and forests

Change of land use type: Brownfields are converted to settlement area. Agricultural area is conserved.

Change of land use practices / intensity level: Settlement density may increase with inner urban development.

Author:

Johanna Fick

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Data collection Half a year
2. Implementation into the model and model calibration Half a year
3. Model runs one month
4. Evaluation one month
5. Scenario development

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Measures can be very different in terms of inputs and costs, and depend on the specific situation eg contaminated area of a former petrol station can have very high rehabilitation costs due to the need to detoxify the soil before new use. However other measures cost (effectively) no money at all eg legislation governing the reduction of the distance permitted between two new buildings by the local authorities.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Annual rainfall: 250-500 mm, 500-750 mm, 750-1000 mm, 1000-1500 mm

Agro-climatic zone
  • humid

Thermal climate class: temperate

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: plateau / plains, hill slopes, valley floors (Not relevant for technology inner urban development)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Individuals or groups:
  • employee (company, government)
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Difference in the involvement of women and men: Technology is not applied by land users. The technology is a scenario simulation, not a specific project of inner urban development.

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: < 0.5%

(Technology, which is a scenario simulation is not applied by land users.).

Off-farm income specification: not applicable

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual
Comments:

Land ownership: state, company, individual, not titled

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-cultural impacts

health situation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

Due to increase of urban heat island effect. Effect cannot be quantified.

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved

Return on sales after revitalisation of brownfields

Cost for public transport and public infrastructure

increased
decreased

Compact urban infrasture

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Estimation, source is another study

Soil

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Increased soil sealing, amount depends on the number of inner urban development projects

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Increased carbon sequestration

Other ecological impacts

Reduced hazard towards adverse events

Comments/ specify:

If established green and blue corridors

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

buffering/ filtering capacity

reduced
improved

damage on public/ private infrastructure

increased
reduced

Ways for infrastructure (e.g. water/sewage pipeline)

Shorter
Longer
Comments/ specify:

Through the compact settlement structure

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm not well
local windstorm not known
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not known
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not known

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period well
not known
Comments:

A more intensive use of urban area through inner urban development leads also to an increase of impervious areas. These can addressed by urban blue and green corridors.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

No answer possible, since technology is a scenario simulation.
There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Scenario simulations help to identify hot spots and can indicate regions where inner urban development should be pushed by public institutions.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Inner urban development is profitable if pressure on land is high but needs to be pushed also in regions with less pressure to protect soils, nature and climate.
Inner urban development can have positive impacts on climate adaptation

How can they be sustained / enhanced? To reach positive impacts on climate adaptation issues it is necessary to establish green and blue climate corridors (e.g. network of urban greens established or optimized by re-vitalization of brownfields).
Inner urban development can rise the attractiveness of town (greater inner city mobility, compact town)

How can they be sustained / enhanced? The technology improves inner-urban area development. For improvements to existing settlement areas, additional building activities (e.g. making buildings taller; concentrating housing) are possible. Side effects are a very concentrated settlement structure but with the advantage of reducing the sprawling out of settlements into agricultural land or wooded areas (i.e. outer development) and this saves GHG emissions and other ecosystem services ESS.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Nationwide simulation cannot indicate concrete lots where inner urban development should be pushed. The technology has shown the potential for Germany as a whole, but implementation depends on local authorities.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

www.cc-landstrad.de

Title, author, year, ISBN:

www.bbsr.bund.de

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

www.cc-landstrad.de

Title/ description:

www.bbsr.bund.de

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