Volumen 62 (2004): Edición 4-5 (September 2004)

This article discusses the question of the possible contribution towards the reduction of land consumption which might be achieved through intermunicipal co-operation in the acquisition, designation (for planning purposes) and in the marketing of commercial sites. By way of an example, the authors take as the basis for their study a status quo analysis of local-authority policy on commercial sites and land-use designation in the Märkischer Kreis. In their findings they are able to identify considerable inefficiencies in both the designation and the utilisation of sites. These findings can be seen as largely representative of other regions exhibiting similar structures. On this argumentational basis, the authors develop an instrument based upon a jointly-managed land pool; here sites are “booked in”, earmarked for planning purposes, and serviced for subsequent development. This pool also includes brown fields. The aim is to minimise the amount of open space being redesignated for commercial use, and to enable access to the most suitable locations at an intermunicipal level, which can then be put to efficient utilisation.

The present article considers the idea to stop urban sprawl by introducing a tradable allowance system for the dedication of building land by the municipalities. It is suggested that the allowances should be created at the level of the central state and be distributed to the federal states, regions and municipalities. In this way the allowance system can benefit from the advantages of the well-established planning concepts at the regional and municipal level. The allocation effects of the tradable allowance system depend on the type of primary allocation, the economic strength of the trading municipalities, the use of auction proceeds and the development of regionally and functionally separated markets. It is recommended that the tradable allowance system should be integrated into an instrumental mix with an ecologically enhanced financial equalisation mechanism at the municipal level and an ecologically reformed real-estate tax.

Differing from the requirements implied in the term ”autonomous regional development“, regional governance is almost always dependent on public support. This raises the question of the appropriate ”state-run guidance“ for these regional governance structures. The article outlines the particularly efficient governance mode of ”network-based co-operative negotiations in the shadow of hierarchy“ as well as some typical forms of action and problems of state and regional planning in the support of regional governance. Taking the concepts for cities and their surrounding areas in Schleswig-Holstein as examples, it is shown that the careful construction of a ”shadow of hierarchy“ is a central precondition for successful regional co-operation. It is exactly the combination of public policy- and development policy aspects that makes this type of regional governance attractive and qualifies state and regional planning as its mentor.

The article considers the question how the dilemma of many regions can be solved that a conflict exists between the claim for an orientation towards innovation and the necessity of seeking a consensus between the regional actors. Innovation processes and the creation of consensus are two central functions of modern regional development (chapter 2). However, if one considers the logic of innovation and consensus, it becomes clear that both do not necessarily harmonise (chapter 3). The presented approaches for the separation as well as for the alignment of innovation and the finding of consensus structure the field of possible solutions in order to resolve the contradictions (chapter 4). The approaches for solutions can help to organise regional development processes more intelligently and with a greater orientation towards success (chapter 5).

Science parks (Technologie und Gründerzentren) aim at supporting newly founded high-tech companies. Thus, they are meant to contribute to technology transfer from universities and other public research institutes to companies. Theoretical considerations suggest that the amount of knowledge embodied within local universities and companies is a key determinant for technology transfer. This article analyzes whether differences in the regional knowledge potential are reflected in the technological level of firms supported by sience parks. This hypothesis can be confirmed: Firms in regions with high local knowledge potential show significantly higher technological levels regardless of their age, field, and size.

The economic restructuring of global cities is reflected by the polarisation of their labour markets. The huge differences of salaries result in social polarisation and in a noticeable segregation of quarters particularly within inner city residential areas. The goal of this paper is to present a formula that measures and quantifies the degree of social segregation within quarters. The analysis is based on the 2001 census data.

The essay shows that the state of Hessen sets great store by the integration of land use and transportation planning in order to minimize the volume of vehicular traffic. In addition strategies for implementing and experience made are listed. Hessen introduced a public concern, informed the planning institutions (investors/ the integration municipalities) about strategies and measures of the integration and developed a method for estimating the volume of vehicular traffic generated by land use projects. An essential strategy of the integration is to arrange new land use close to railway stations, yet in order to reach optimal results it is necessary to improve the railway service, too.