Mittelzone

Mittelzone is a term from German meaning "middle zone" and is used in several fields to describe a central transitional area between a city’s core and its periphery. In urban planning and regional development, the term is used to discuss a belt or band around a city's core where land use and population density are intermediate between the dense inner core and outer suburbs. The Mittelzone is typically envisaged as a mixed-use zone with a combination of housing, services, and small-scale industry, supported by transit connections and pedestrian-friendly streets.

The exact boundaries and characteristics of a Mittelzone vary by city and planning framework. Some definitions emphasize moderate to high density, mid-rise buildings, and a balance of residential and commercial uses, while others focus on its role as a transitional space that fosters growth without the intensification of the core. In planning practice, the concept can guide zoning policies, infrastructure investment, and land-use planning to promote accessibility and reduce urban sprawl.

In other fields, the term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a central socioeconomic or cultural zone that lies between an urban core and outer regions. The idea shares similarities with concepts such as the inner ring, mid-density perimeter, or transitional zones in regional geography.

See also: urban core, inner ring, suburbanization, mixed-use development.