innerörtlichen

Innerörtlich is a term used in German-language urban planning to describe locations, areas, or activities that lie within the built-up area of a municipality. It denotes land and functions inside the municipal boundaries and the existing urban fabric, as opposed to außerörtlich areas situated outside the built-up region. The concept is used to distinguish development and infrastructure inside the core urban area from rural or suburban expansion on the periphery.

In planning practice, innerörtliche Flächen are those designated for construction, redevelopment or densification inside the existing town or city boundary. They are typically subject to the policies, zoning, and building regulations that apply to the inner urban area, including infrastructure availability, historical preservation considerations, and higher density expectations. Conversely, außerörtliche Flächen lie outside the built-up boundary and are regulated differently, often with emphasis on rural land protection and long-term expansion plans.

The term appears in German- and Austrian planning documents and is commonly used in Flächennutzungsplänen (land-use plans) and Bebauungsplänen (development plans) to indicate inner-urban building zones or inner-urban redevelopment potential. Exact definitions and classifications can vary by jurisdiction, so innerörtlich is a relative term rather than a universally fixed category.

In related usage, innerstädtisch is often used synonymously to describe the inner-city or central urban area. The concept supports infill development, urban renewal, and efficient use of existing infrastructure by prioritizing development within the established urban footprint.