Urban spaces & urban structure types

In accordance with the Federal Nature Conservation Act, nature and landscape are to be protected in both populated and unpopulated areas (§ 1 BNatSchG). In the past, landscape plans often did not sufficiently include the settled area.

Against this background, an urban structure type mapping was carried out. The inner area of Bad Homburg was divided into 102 urban spaces and a profile was created for each urban space. As many urban areas are spatially separated from each other but very similar in structure, they were grouped into 26 urban structure types, each with a similar settlement and open space structure. These urban structure types were evaluated and a model was developed for each type.

Important criteria were the degree of sealing, which allows conclusions to be drawn about the microclimatic conditions, the existing vegetation and the possibility of perceiving and experiencing nature in the city. Birds were used as indicator species for the assessment. It was taken into account that bird species can make a significant contribution to the experience of nature in urban areas all year round.

Based on mapping of birds in representative areas in 2015, typical bird species were assigned to each type of urban structure. Three characteristic bird species are named for each structure type in the guiding principles. The consideration of the habitat requirements of these species in future measures thus corresponds to the guiding principles for the respective urban structure type. Where the bird species mentioned occur in relevant numbers of individuals or populations, a high-quality open space and settlement structure can be assumed.

The objectives for the urban structure types range from the design of public squares and areas with local materials and planting with indigenous species to the development and design of pathways and advice on the sustainable use and design of private gardens. 102 urban spaces can be viewed on the map, along with the description/evaluation and the guiding principle of the urban structure type to which the urban space belongs.

The mission statements are formulated as if the objectives and measures to fulfill the mission statement had already been implemented.

You can select the individual urban spaces. Click on the link to obtain the respective profile of the urban space, the assessment and the mission statement of the corresponding urban structure type.