This is how the Oberland should develop in the future

How do and can the communities in the Oberland develop in the coming decades? The regional plan provides the basis for answering this question.

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - Updating the regional plan is a lot of work. Since 2014, the representatives of the four districts of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Miesbach, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Weilheim-Schongau have been grappling with the content of each individual chapter. The most recent and last meeting of the planning committee for this term of office at Gasthaus Mühle in Beuerberg dealt with the chapter on settlements. In the end, the cornerstones were decided unanimously. "Super, that's really a very big step," said Tölz district administrator and association chairman Josef Niedermaier.

"Breathe life into the regional plan"

At the end of the term, he used the moment to look back over the past six years. "It has never been as fun as it has been recently," he said. The aim is to "breathe life into the regional plan - and we have never been as close as we are now." Niedermaier thanked the representatives of the government of Upper Bavaria for accompanying the process. "You got involved with our topics, the comments were echoed."

Matthias Kraus from the government of Upper Bavaria returned the praise. "We thank you for the trustful cooperation, it was also a special time for us." We very much welcome the struggle for the best solution, "said Kraus. "And we look forward to everyone we see again after the election."

Previously, the committee members had spent almost two hours on the key points of the chapter on settlements. Above all, the "region of short distances", as Matthias Schuh reminded the government, also stands here. In order to achieve this, the region primarily pursues internal development. Instead of creating new districts in the periphery, inner-city opportunities for densification should be used. Local centers would have to be strengthened and expanded "into attractive meeting places", says Schuh. That does not mean that every inner open space can be built up. On the contrary: These areas should - if they are of particular importance - be preserved.

"We are flooded with outsiders"

The chapter also deals with the topic of increasing area efficiency, climate-friendly settlement development using renewable energies and the need for municipal area management. Another key issue in settlement development is demographic change. There is increasing demand from older and single people for suitable living space. Here it is important to respond to this with suitable offers - also for multi-generational living and the like - according to Schuh.

Also with a view to securing skilled workers "the subject of living space is of central importance". Affordable apartments are more likely to be created “in the area of ​​multi-storey apartment buildings,” says Schuh. The alarm bells rang here at the Mayor of Otterfinger Jakob Eglseder. In his mind's eye, apartment blocks emerged. "I don't know if it is good if we create such social hotspots." Of course it shouldn't be, "but we still think far too often in the single-family house category. It won't work anymore. It takes a change in awareness, ”said Niedermaier. The Dietramszell Mayor Leni Gröbmaier called for "to think more in neighborhoods". That means that anyone planning residential construction must also plan the free and common areas as well as the suitable heating system for the entire district.

Eglseder was still unsatisfied. But it's more about the big picture. He disapproves of the fact that many young people have to move out of the region because they can no longer find an apartment or a house - also because many do not sell their house to locals. "And we are flooded with outsiders," said the Mayor of Otterfingen. He already knew that there were no legal ones. But obviously Eglseder worms the thing. "But we won't be able to regulate that with the regional plan," added Niedermaier.

Settlement development especially in the main towns

In general, the region, which continues to grow, is striving for "organic settlement development", said Thomas Bläser from the government. This applies both to the provision of residential building space and to the settlement of businesses. The planning committee still has to deal with what is to be regarded as “organic”. In addition, "particularly favorable settlement areas" must be identified, in which an increased development is possible. For example, they are characterized by good transport links - especially by public transport.

In general, organic settlement development should focus on the respective main locations - because utilities are available there and the distances are correspondingly short. Identifying the main location is easy in many municipalities, but often more difficult in municipalities with many districts. The determination of the main locations should happen in connection with the municipalities, Bläser replied to a request from the Mayor of Kochler Thomas Holz.

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All information about local elections in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen can be found here.

Transport Minister comments on the BOB resolution of the Tölzer district council