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Driving Forces of Urban Soil Sealing and Constraints of its Management - the Cases of Leipzig and Munich (Germany)

Martina ARTMANN1
1 Paris-Lodron-University, Department of Geography and Geology,  Salzburg,  AUSTRIA
E-mail: martina.artmann@sbg.ac.at
Pages: 143-152

Abstract. The overall aim of this study is to develop a set of indicators for assessing the efficiency of instruments to steer urban soil sealing. To set up a framework for an efficient approach to soil sealing socio-demographic driving forces of soil sealing and constraints of soil sealing management were analyzed by statistical methods, expert interviews and through a literature review. Leipzig and Munich (Germany) as shrinking and growing cities were used as case studies. Results showed that it is not the increased number of residents that drive further sealing but rather their life style through an increase in space per capita and lack of soil awareness. The reduction of sealing is hampered moreover by an economic orientation of local authorities which leads to an under-weighting of ecological impact caused by soil sealing. Therefore, an efficient soil sealing approach involves instruments which support environmental and ecological sustainable development and which are economically and fiscally functional, politically-institutionally compatible and which promote environmental competence and high living quality. Within these categories 48 indicators are presented which can be used for an efficiency assessment of soil sealing management instruments. Such an assessment should include management authorities and addressees on a macro- (state government, federal state, regions), meso- (local authorities in cities) and microscale (investors, residents).

K e y w o r d s: soil sealing, soil sealing management, urban development, Germany, indicators