It is an instrument that ensures the sustainable use of open space and prohibits the development of commercial areas in the restriction area.
Reducing land sealing in Peri-Urban Open Spaces (PUOS) as well as avoiding urban sprawl and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity are important goals in the context of RENATUR. For this purpose, the "Virtual commercial real estate pool" of Kleve (County of the administrative district of Düsseldorf) is a very suitable instrument, as it serves an appropriate open space protection and ensures that commercial areas may only be built on designated areas. This means that the restriction area in Kleve is protected and may not be built on. The restriction area includes nature reserves, landscape protection areas, natural monuments, legally protected biotopes, NATURA 2000 areas, water protection areas and flood plains. All designated, unused areas are recorded in the "Virtual commercial real estate pool". This is used to pursue demand-oriented and land-saving settlement development. Each municipality participating in the "Virtual commercial real estate pool" always knows which areas may currently be used in the district of Kleve and which belong to the restriction area and are worthy of protection.
Resources needed
The maintenance and updating of this pool requires about 500 working hours per year of a qualified employee.
Evidence of success
With help of this instrument, natural resources are conserved and the restriction areas in the county of Kleve are protected. The land contingent secured in the regional plan is used sustainably and, in addition, the planning processes are accelerated. The "Virtual commercial real estate pool" is very dynamic and its areas are constantly updated. The municipalities of Kleve district have participated in this instrument with great commitment to date. This represents the greatest success factor.
Difficulties encountered
This project had a very slow start. But as time went by, more and more municipalities recognized the benefits and the necessity.
Potential for learning or transfer
The "Virtual commercial real estate pool" promotes inter-communal cooperation and ensures that sustainable land management is pursued and that commercial land is not located in the PUOS. This represents an important contribution to the protection of open space in the PUOS. For a continuous implementation of the "Virtual commercial real estate pool", even the regional plan is constantly updated. In addition, the instrument has the effect that settlement development takes place within the settlement area and does not spill over into the PUOS.
Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystem, Good practice, Land use, Protected areas, Protection, Sustainable development, Sustainable management
