Compact City
The " city of short distances " refers to a model of urban planning, which is being pursued, especially since the 1980s. According to this model the transport needs can be reduced, to increase the pedestrian friendliness and thus avoided the traffic by such conditions are created that spatial distances between home, work, ( local) supply, services, recreational and educational places are low.
As an expected result, it should be possible that a pro-rata takes place more pedestrian, cycling or public transport and less motorized individual. Landscape fragmentation and urban sprawl are reduced.
An element of the concept of " city of short distances " is the living space compression and the multifunctionality of urban neighborhoods. However, empirical findings show that a compacted and mixed settlement structure alone is not enough, but also that transport measures are for a "city of short distances" required.
John Klühspies According to the title of " city of short distances " suggestive and positive is busy, as it a relief of daily mobility, more time available for other purposes, the experience of freedom feeling by increasing time autonomy, positive communication opportunities and more time in a familiar, secure environment suggestive. The "city of short distances" is an idealization, which can also be realized in the long run only a part. The concept makes it clear that it was not about the mobility per se, but a quick accessibility and good accessibility is rather essential.
As an element of a "city of short distances" a shortcut and spatial concentration of family-related infrastructure offerings and services in family offices, parent- child centers or multi-generation house is called, the spare the users way.
Approaches to implementation
Many cities are represented by the city council, by resident organizations, political parties, local media or in city guides as the "city of short distances", ie as a city in which the concept was largely realized in due to this property that quality of life is high and the reconciliation of work and family life leave better organize.
In this case, an advertisement for their own location, for example, the pedestrian -friendly shopping streets or the well-structured transport are highlighted also in the sense. Be represented in this way, for example, Brühl, Dülmen, Marburg, Minden, Osnabrück Potsdam, and Verden, individual areas of the city concerning, even Freiburg im Breisgau; with respect to other cities a lack of implementation of this concept is criticized, such as with respect to Berlin. For many cities, the concept is presented as a desirable model which is to consider, among other things, in the Local Agenda 21.
The German League for the child asks: Municipalities are encouraged to participate with efforts to a family-and child-friendly public transport system, a "city of short distances" and an astute appreciation of the neighborhood through traffic calming measures.
The implementation of the concept are also contrary to the wish of many with spacious basin for a life in the countryside the Funktionsentmischung in the cities, the sub- or de-urbanization in adjacent regions, large-scale structures in the recreational and commercial sector.
Based on previous work of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the European Parliament in its resolution of 9 July 2008, among other things, the creation of custom, sustainable mobility plans and supporting measures in spatial and urban planning ("city of short distances" ) through early involvement of all stakeholders, especially in the context of the EU strategy to combat climate change and other environmental problems.
The sample project Sustainable Urban hills Wien Westbahnhof is aligned according to project manager Heidi Dumreicher the concept of a " city of short distances ". The vision of planned cities, however, compared with the advantages grown cities and an adaptation of old buildings option.