Retreat of settlements – law and planning in context of climate and demographic change

The topic of “settlement contraction” is analysed within the project from a legal and planning perspective. First we consider successful examples of settlement contraction in Germany and in the international context. This is followed by an investigation of the legal underpinnings of settlement contraction as well as how and to what extent this process can be managed. In particular, we examine the regulation of general spatial planning, local land-use plans, environmental law and the law on fees. The investigation focuses on the motivation for action in dealing with the repercussions of demographic change (high level building vacancy) and of climate change (preventative flood protection). This includes a consideration of ways to avoid non climate-resilient settlements.