Flächenvorsorge

Flächenvorsorge is a planning concept in land-use planning that aims to secure space for future needs by reserving areas in advance. Its central idea is to create a predictable supply of developable land for housing, infrastructure, commerce, and public services while balancing ecological and agricultural interests. By identifying potential growth zones and designating them as reserves in municipal or regional plans, authorities can reduce speculative land prices, curb urban sprawl and ensure timely infrastructure.

Typical instruments and processes include the designation of reserve or priority areas in the land-use plan, proactive land acquisition or option agreements, and the creation of land banks or pooling arrangements. The approach is usually implemented through collaboration among planning authorities, landowners, developers, and community stakeholders. It is coordinated with infrastructure planning (roads, utilities) and with environmental protection, agricultural land, and biodiversity considerations. The aim is to align land supply with projected demand over a multi-year horizon, often with a view to the next planning cycle, while keeping options open for adjustments as needs evolve.

Legal framework and variation: the specific instruments and responsibilities vary by country and region, but the concept is embedded in many territorial planning laws. In German-speaking areas, it is associated with the instruments of regional planning and Bauleitplanung, and similar mechanisms exist under planning laws in Austria and Switzerland.

Benefits and challenges: potential benefits include a more stable supply of building land, improved planning certainty, and better integration of housing and infrastructure. Challenges involve balancing private property rights, financing the protection and development of reserves, and avoiding over- or misdirected land binding if forecasts change.