New impulses for spatial development: Professor Gailing appointed!

New impulses for spatial development: Professor Gailing appointed!

Federal Minister Verena Hubertz today welcomed Prof. Dr. Ludger Gailing appointed to the Advisory Board for Spatial Development. Gailing is a professor at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and brings extensive expertise in the field of regional planning. The advisory board, which consists of twenty members, is part of the 21st legislative period of the German Bundestag and advises the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB). The topics on the advisory board's agenda include essential aspects such as spatial planning, urban development and construction.

The challenges facing the advisory board are diverse and range from the energy transition to the creation of living space and adaptation to climate change. In addition to these major topics, the advisory board also focuses on competition for space at the federal, state and planning levels. Another important concern is ensuring equal living conditions, especially in rural and peripheral regions. The members are made up of representatives from science and practice who have relevant connections to spatial development. This multidisciplinary approach is crucial to the effectiveness of advice and planning.

Models of spatial development

The work of the advisory board is carried out in accordance with the principles for spatial development, which emphasize spatial planning as an interdisciplinary policy at the federal and state levels. These mission statements provide the framework for plans and development concepts at the local level. The four strategic models were adopted by the Conference of Spatial Development Ministers (RMK) in 2016:

• Wettbewerbsfähigkeit stärken
• Daseinsvorsorge sichern
• Raumnutzungen steuern und nachhaltig entwickeln
• Klimawandel und Energiewende gestalten

These mission statements are aimed at decision-makers at the federal and state levels as well as regional planning authorities and municipalities. The aim is to practically implement the action strategies from the mission statements and thus also support private investors in their decisions.

Climate change and urban adaptation strategies

The challenges arising from climate change are already visible in urban planning. German cities have long been actively committed to climate protection, with a focus on energy saving, renewable energies and energy-efficient building renovations. At the same time, climatic criteria are increasingly being taken into account in municipal land-use planning in order to reduce CO2 emissions in cities.

However, climate change also brings risks. Extreme summer temperatures, heavy rainfall and periods of drought increase the demands on urban infrastructure. Against this background, cold and fresh air production areas are crucial for the urban climate. A catalog of measures and demands for adaptation to climate change has already been drawn up, which includes areas of action such as health, disaster control, urban planning and mobility and was welcomed at the 224th meeting of the Main Committee of the German Association of Cities on February 20, 2019 in Hamm.

Taking these aspects into account in the planning processes is of central importance in order to reduce the consequences of climate change and ensure sustainable development in German cities. The commitment of experts like Prof. Dr. Ludger Gailing will be crucial in addressing the challenges of the coming years and finding solutions.

For detailed information on current developments in spatial development and the mission statements, see BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, BMWSB and German Cities Day.