ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the institutional system of German spatial planning, which is organized as a decentralized, multi-level system and is rendered very complex by the federal structure of the country. It discusses old and new problems of spatial planning in Germany, such as equivalent living conditions, the relationship between metropolitan spaces and rural regions, and demographic change. The chapter highlights that on the one hand the institutional system of German spatial planning has developed notable powers of persistence, while on the other hand informal planning instruments are increasingly gaining significance in tackling the challenges spatial planning aims to solve. The systematic coordination of programs of the most important spatially impacting policies such as regional policy, agricultural policy, energy policy, infrastructure policy and social and labor market policy seems particularly urgent. This should also include the spatially impacting policies of the Lander, whereby here education and higher education policy is of special importance.
