City edges in Germany: Quality growth and urban design

Forty years of explosive growth have dissolved the hard edge of old walled cities throughout Germany. Undefined suburban mess has consumed vast areas of land and degraded picturesque German landscapes. The new interest in strengthening local identities coincides with national priorities to enhance the cultural and natural heritage. Policies for quality growth at the city's edge evolve through a series of steps, including the community's vision statements, comprehensive master planning, environmental prioritization of potential development sites, and land banking for mitigation of future impacts. The merits of high density urban form with strategically placed ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ edges include preservation of landscape with special environmental and scenic value; proximity of residential and recreational areas; convenient and car-free transit; and openness contrasts with urban density.