Regional Planning in the German Democratic Republic: Its Evolution and Goals

Abstract

The paper presents an overview of the evolution, current status, and goals of regional planning in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Relatively unimportant during the immediate postwar years, regional planning has evolved to become an integral part of national planning. For example, regional policies are designed to support the goals of national planning rather than resolve specific regional problems. Regional planners are especially concerned with creating an efficient spatial economic structure in order to conserve capital and labor resources. Despite avowed ideological advantages and alleged planning successes, planners in East Germany face many problems encountered by their counterparts in the West.