14.02.2026

The future of urban land use planning – resilience as a statutory standard?

Building design

How cities are anchoring resilience as a binding benchmark in planning

Resilience as the new gold standard for urban development? The future of urban land use planning is facing a revolution: what was previously considered a voluntary bonus could soon become a legal requirement. Between the climate crisis, urbanization and growing complexity, experts are calling for resilience to no longer be the exception, but a binding planning standard. Anyone who hesitates now runs the risk of missing out on the coming challenges of urban development.

Definition and importance of resilience in urban land use planning
Legal foundations and current developments in German, Austrian and Swiss planning law
Practical examples: How resilient is planning today?
Technological innovations and data integration as a driver for resilient planning
Risks and opportunities of enshrining resilience in law
Recommendations for planners and local authorities: what needs to be done now
Stakeholders, governance and social acceptance
Outlook: The resilient city as a new guiding principle for urban land use planning

Resilience – from buzzword to the foundation of urban land use planning

Anyone dealing with urban land use planning today can no longer avoid the term “resilience”. The term originally comes from psychology and describes the ability of a system to recover from disruptions. In urban and landscape planning, resilience has long since established itself as a key concept that goes far beyond pure disaster prevention. It refers not only to the ability to react to extreme events such as floods or heatwaves, but rather to proactive resilience: cities and neighborhoods should be designed in such a way that they can react flexibly to changes and disruptions – be they climatic, social or economic challenges.

However, in urban land-use planning, i.e. the binding control of structural and landscape development through land-use and development plans, resilience has so far often been treated in passing. Nature conservation, climate adaptation, risk prevention – all of this can be found in the relevant laws and guidelines. But a clear, legally binding obligation for resilient planning has so far been sought in vain. This is currently changing: pressure is growing to enshrine resilience in law as a new foundation of spatial planning. After all, the climate crisis knows no compromises and does not wait for voluntary pioneers.

Experts are therefore calling for resilience to no longer be a “nice to have” in guiding principles and model projects, but to be included as a binding criterion in the building code and state building regulations. This would mean Every plan, every new neighborhood, every change of use must demonstrate how it deals with future risks – and not just in the environmental report, but as a central decision-making criterion. Resilience could thus become the benchmark against which the quality and sustainability of urban land-use plans must be measured.

But what exactly does this mean in practice? How can resilience be made measurable? And how can it be formulated in a legally compliant manner without freezing into rubber paragraphs or bureaucracy? The answers to these questions are as diverse as the challenges facing cities today. But one thing is clear: anyone who defines resilience as a standard must rethink planning – from methodology to participation to implementation.

This is not just about technocratic control, but about a changed understanding of the roles of all stakeholders: planners, administrations, investors and civil society must learn to see uncertainty as an opportunity. Resilient urban land use planning requires the courage to experiment, openness to new data sources and the willingness to question traditional routines. Only in this way can the city of tomorrow not only survive, but thrive – despite all crises.

Legal perspectives: Will resilience become a binding standard?

A look at the law books shows: Urban land-use planning in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is a complex web of federal regulations, EU directives and municipal bylaws. The German Building Code (BauGB) regulates the basic principles, but leaves plenty of scope for local adaptations. So far, it has mainly contained references to environmental precautions, climate protection and sustainable development. Resilience only appears implicitly, if at all – for example in the risk analysis or the consideration of flood hazards.

In recent years, however, political and social expectations have shifted. The amendment of the Climate Adaptation Act, the EU directive on the resilience of critical infrastructures and the recommendations of the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning (DASL) make it clear that legislators are under pressure to act. The first federal states have already begun to explicitly integrate resilience into their state building codes and climate adaptation concepts. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, local authorities have had to submit a “risk and resilience assessment” for every plan since 2023 – a novelty that could set a precedent nationwide.

The signals are also clear at European level. In its Urban Agenda and Green Deal, the EU demands that cities not only become CO₂-neutral, but also climate and socially resilient. Funding is increasingly linked to proof of resilience strategies. This is fundamentally changing the framework conditions for urban land use planning: what used to be considered visionary is now becoming a mandatory task.

But how can resilience be operationalized with legal certainty? Experts discuss various approaches: From clear indicators and test criteria to mandatory scenario analyses and new participation formats that involve those affected at an early stage. One thing is clear: resilience must be concrete, verifiable and justiciable – otherwise it will remain a toothless tiger. This requires new interfaces between planning, environmental law, disaster prevention and digitalization.

Planners and administrations are therefore well advised to deal with the upcoming requirements at an early stage. Those who invest now in further training, data management and interdisciplinary cooperation will not be surprised by future regulations. Because the time for voluntary action is running out – and the future of urban land use planning is resilient or not at all.

Practice and innovation: How resilience is transforming planning practice

Resilient urban land use planning is not an abstract goal, but has long been a reality – at least in those municipalities that are actively shaping change. A look at current projects shows how diverse the approaches are: In Hamburg, for example, the development of new neighborhoods systematically examines how areas affect heavy rainfall, summer heat and air quality. Green corridors, infiltration areas and fresh air corridors are not only “co-planned”, but are also seen as key structural factors.

In Zurich, digital tools are being used to anchor resilience in urban development. Digital city models, sensor data and AI-supported simulations make it possible to test various climate scenarios and flexibly adapt measures. This makes it possible to avoid planning errors and identify potential at an early stage – a real quantum leap compared to traditional paper-based planning.

Vienna is also showing how resilience is changing urban design as a guiding principle: By integrating participatory processes, not only expert knowledge but also local experience and everyday skills are brought into the planning process. This increases acceptance and makes measures more sustainable. Resilience is thus becoming the cornerstone of a new, learning planning culture.

Technological innovations are playing an increasingly important role in this: urban digital twins, geoinformation systems and open data platforms provide the basis for data-driven resilience strategies. Instead of static plans, dynamic decision-making bases are being created that can react to current developments. This opens up completely new possibilities for planners – but also requires new skills and responsibilities.

What is important here is that resilience is not an end in itself and not a purely technical issue. It must always be considered in the context of social, ecological and economic goals. Only then can real added value be created – for the city, the people and the environment. The best examples show this: Where resilience is consistently implemented, the result is not only greater security, but also a better quality of life and innovation.

Risks, opportunities and governance – who controls the resilient future?

The legal anchoring of resilience harbors enormous opportunities – but also risks. On the one hand, it can help cities and municipalities to be better prepared for crises, minimize damage and implement innovations more quickly. On the other hand, there is a risk that resilience will degenerate into a mere compulsory exercise or be suffocated by technocratic overregulation. The balance between legal requirements and local freedom is crucial.

Governance is a key issue: who defines what resilient planning means? Which stakeholders are involved? And how can conflicting goals between climate adaptation, social justice and economic development be resolved? Clear responsibilities, transparent processes and an open dialog between administration, politics, business and civil society are needed here.

The integration of new technologies raises additional questions: How will data be collected, used and protected? Who has control over digital city models and simulation tools? What role do commercial providers play? Data protection, data sovereignty and digital participation are key challenges that need to be addressed at an early stage.

Another risk: resilience must not become a mere empty phrase. If it is not backed up with concrete goals, measurable indicators and effective measures, it risks becoming an excuse for inactivity. At the same time, there is a risk that vulnerable groups will be overlooked and that “resilient” solutions will primarily serve the interests of financially strong players. A watchful eye is needed here – and a willingness to see resilience as a social model that involves everyone.

However, the opportunities outweigh the risks: those who take resilience seriously can not only make cities safer, but also more liveable, more innovative and fairer. This requires the courage to break new ground, question old routines and make participation a fundamental principle. Resilient urban land use planning is not a goal, but an ongoing process – open, learning and adaptable.

Outlook: The resilient city as a new model for urban land use planning

The future of urban land use planning has long since arrived – it is resilient, networked and data-driven. What is still being discussed as a vision today could become a binding standard tomorrow. The legal basis for this is currently being created. It is crucial that planners, administrations and politicians actively shape the change – and do not wait until crises force them to do so.

Resilience as a legal standard requires a paradigm shift: away from linear control and towards flexible, adaptive processes. Away from pure hazard prevention and towards proactively shaping the urban future. This will only succeed if all stakeholders pull together and see resilience as a joint task.

Technology, digitalization and data integration are indispensable tools – but they are no substitute for creative planning, social innovation and participatory governance. The best solutions are created where expert knowledge and civic experience, high-tech and low-tech, vision and reality come together.

The resilient city is not a static goal, but a permanent process. It thrives on experiments, mistakes and learning loops. Urban land use planning must therefore become more open, flexible and courageous. Those who invest now – in knowledge, cooperation and infrastructure – will not only survive the city of tomorrow, they will shape it.

Garten und Landschaft keeps its finger on the pulse – with expertise, vision and a pinch of self-irony. Because the future of urban land use planning is anything but boring. It is challenging, exciting and full of opportunities. Let’s make resilience the new standard – not just in law, but at the heart of planning culture.

Summary: The future of urban land use planning is facing a fundamental transformation: resilience is becoming the new standard and could soon become mandatory by law. The integration of resilience into planning requires a paradigm shift – away from rigid specifications and towards flexible, learning processes. Legal, technological and social developments are driving this change. It is crucial that planners, administrations and society take responsibility together, dare to innovate and establish resilience as a central guiding principle. This is the only way that cities and regions can confidently meet the challenges of the climate crisis, urbanization and social change. Resilient urban land use planning is not a sure-fire success – but it is the best insurance for the future of our cities.

24.11.2024

Trick

The splendor of antique metal vessels

Building design

The new special exhibition “Shimmering Jars of Ore” by the State Collections of Antiquities and Glyptothek Munich, in cooperation with the Bavarian Palace Administration, shows ancient vessels made of bronze and silver in the Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg. Hagen Schaaff, metal conservator at the Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek München, gives an insight into his work before the exhibition opens On May 30, the annual special exhibition […]

The new special exhibition “Shimmering Jars of Ore” at the State Collections of Antiquities and Glyptothek in Munich, in cooperation with the Bavarian Palace Administration, is showing ancient vessels made of bronze and silver in the Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg. Hagen Schaaff, metal conservator at the Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek München, gives an insight into his work before the exhibition begins

Bronze klylix, around 400 BC, Greek: For the special exhibition, the ancient surfaces of the individual components of the bowl were uncovered and the two cast handles and the cast ring base were reattached. Photo: State Collections of Antiquities and Glyptothek Munich

On May 30, the annual special exhibition of the Staatliche Antikensammlung und Glyptothek München opened at the Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg. The show was originally scheduled to be presented at the end of March. So we are all the more delighted that visitors can now visit the “Shimmering Jars of Ore” exhibition. Until the end of October, the special exhibition shows the different functions, the diversity and the timeless design of ancient bronze vessels from the Greco-Roman, Achaemenid and Etruscan cultures from the 8th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. It also illustrates how magnificently these ancient metal vessels were designed and the technical mastery with which they were crafted.

When we think of ancient utilitarian vessels, but also the table luxury of the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans, our thoughts first wander to painted clay vases. However, the wealthy society of the time used “shimmering jugs of ore” for religious occasions, elegant banquets and also for fetching water. These often bore figurative decoration, carved or in relief. As early as the late Neolithic period, the early toreuts – craftsmen specializing in metal – worked metal vessels from natural deposits of solid gold, silver or copper. With the invention of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, a rapid technological development began in the 4th millennium BC: The melting point of the material decreased considerably, but the end product was harder than the two starting materials. The development of bronze as a material probably began in the Near East. In ancient times, gleaming metal vessels made of gold-colored bronze were a sign of prosperity that anyone could achieve. Luxury vessels made of bronze and gold, on the other hand, could only be afforded by a very small elite group. Over time, bronze vessels became coveted prestige objects that were traded over long distances. Greek and Etruscan toreuts supplied the entire Mediterranean region with their products. When the Romans conquered and plundered Greece, ancient Greek bronze vessels were so coveted that even the tombs of the great necropolises were ransacked to meet demand. While the ancient bronzes are covered in a green or brown patina after centuries or millennia of storage in the ground, the ancient toreutens aimed for a fresh, metallic sheen. Accordingly, the pieces were regularly cleaned and freed from signs of ageing during their period of use. The shimmering sheen was an essential part of the effect of such valuable objects.

Today, the antique bronze objects exhibit very different surface conditions. “However, almost all of the vessels on display are currently in a good condition in terms of conservation and restoration, so that only a few measures had to be carried out in the course of preparing for the exhibition, apart from the plinths,” explains Hagen Schaaff, metal conservator at the Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek Munich. The reason for the different surface condition is the naturally altered state of preservation of the bronzes due to corrosion. The color images and states of preservation are based on the different copper compounds that have formed after the reaction of the metal with the ambient atmosphere of the respective place of discovery. A distinction is made here between marine finds, soil finds and freely weathered bronzes. The surface appearance of the vessels is also influenced by historical and current restoration and conservation measures. Many of the objects on display in the Pompejanum were cleaned electrolytically and chemically in the 1970s. This process usually results in a bright, scarred metallic surface. However, wet-chemical processes and reduction processes destroy the patina and are almost completely ruled out today due to their uncontrollable use. The annealing of bronzes, which was practiced until the beginning of the 20th century, is also no longer used, as this also destroys surfaces. “Today,” says Hagen Schaaff, “restoration work is generally only carried out mechanically. Not only scalpels and scraping tools are used for this, but also special equipment from dental technology and precision mechanics such as ultrasonic devices and ultra-fine pressure blasting equipment.”

For the special exhibition in the Pompejanum, for example, the antique surface of the individual components of the Greek brozeklylix from around 400 BC was uncovered and the two cast handles and the cast ring base were reattached. Following restoration, the embossed bronze bowl now has a blue-green patina. In antiquity, the body of the bowl was decorated with concentric circles inside and out on the lathe. Ornaments such as a central rosette, tongue patterns and palmettes were engraved by hand on the inside. The unrestored condition of the surface of the Greek statuette of a cow from the end of the 6th century BC is very good. After the restoration for the special exhibition, the surface of the front now appears reddish dark brown. Three handles of a bronze hydria, 2nd half of the 6th century BC, from the collection of James Loeb show a special feature, with attachments in the form of ivy leaves. Mineralized fabric remains are preserved on two of the attachments. These are traces of the fabric in which the water vessel was wrapped for protection. It was probably used as a secondary cinerary urn in a grave.

The special exhibition “Shimmering Jars of Ore” can be seen at the Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg until the end of October.

Read more in the current issue of RESTAURO 6/20.

15.11.2024

Building site

Right down to the last corner

Building design

with which you can also get into hard-to-reach places. Photo:© Arbortech Europa GmbH

When renovating a bathroom, there are often those awkward places that are difficult to reach and work on. Tiles in corners or tight spaces under the washbasin, for example. Arbotech aims to counteract this problem with the development of the Mini Grinder Trade angle grinder: Advertorial Article Parallax Article

When renovating a bathroom, there are often those awkward places that are difficult to reach and work on. Tiles in corners or tight spaces under the washbasin, for example. With the development of the Mini Grinder Trade angle grinder, Arbotech aims to counteract this problem : (more…)