DE4 Accessibility of Central Places (Germany)

http://www.geoportal.de/DE/Geoportal/Karten/karten.html?lang=de&lang=en&wmcid=82

Abstract

Germany’s urban settlement system is basically characterized by its central places. These places are designated as such and allocated by the respective state planning authorities in order to ensure nationwide provision of public and private facilities and services to the population, as well as the supply of workspaces within a reasonable distance.

Depending on the functions performed by a municipality in its central-place system it assumes, also within its own surrounding area of influence, more or less extensive administrative and supply functions. The medium-sized as well as the major regional centres shall in this context fulfil tasks and functions in the fields of education, healthcare, retail trade, and also with regard to job creation. Thus, accessibility of the medium-sized and urban centres allows statements and conclusions about the regional supply structure, above all with respect to the social infrastructure facilities, given that for the ca. 1 000 locations fulfilling at least the functions of a medium-sized regional centre, if taking as basis the relevant equipment catalogue specifications, a similar supply of infrastructural facilities is demanded.

A period of 30 minutes is considered as a reasonable travel time to reach the nearest intermediate centre. This target value is reached or even exceeded throughout Germany: Nearly 90% of the population reach the next medium-sized centre already within 15 minutes by car, less than 1% of the citizens need more than the required 30 minutes car travel time.

Benefit:

Underpin statements and conclusions about the regional supply structure, above all with respect to the social infrastructure facilities.

Linked to

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 9 “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”

Europe 2020 > flagship initiative “Sustainable growth” > “An industrial policy for the globalisation era”