Innenbereich

Innenbereich is a German term used to designate the interior or inner part of a space, building, or system, as opposed to the Außenbereich, which refers to the exterior or outer area. The word combines innen (inside) and Bereich (area or zone) and is used in technical as well as everyday language.

In architecture and urban planning, Innenbereich commonly refers to the built-up or developable portion within the boundaries of a town, site, or property. It is contrasted with Außenbereich, which encompasses open countryside, undeveloped land, or areas outside the built-up core. The distinction is important for zoning, land-use planning, and development permissions, as different rules may apply to Innenbereich and Außenbereich in various jurisdictions.

In building design and facility management, Innenbereich denotes the interior spaces of a structure—rooms, corridors, stairwells, atria, and other internal zones. Access in the Innenbereich is often controlled or restricted to occupants, staff, or authorized visitors, in contrast to areas designated as Außenbereich, which are open to the public or less restricted.

In everyday usage, Innenbereich can refer to the interior of a place or the internal part of a system or organization. The term is closely related to Innenraum (interior space) and is frequently paired with the opposite Außenbereich in both formal and informal contexts.