Potential regiopolises in Germany

Mögliche Regiopolen in Deutschland (Aring/ Reuther (2008): Die Regiopole - vom Arbeitsbegriff zur konzeptionellen Idee. In: Aring/ Reuther (Hrsg.): Regiopolen, Berlin, S.24.)

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Aring and Prof. Dr. Eng. Iris Reuther from the professional discipline of city and regional planning of the University of Kassel provide a definition for a “regionpolis” for the first time. All potential regiopolises in the context of their (urban) region are subject to the following questions:

  • Which locations of the knowledge society (universities, colleges and research institutes) gain synergies in scope of an economic profile?
  • Which international players are represented in the spectrum of in the city and its region situated companies and which national and global interdependency do they have?
  • How successful is the region in developing specific qualities of life in the city and its region as a settlement factor for executives and highly qualified people from the exterior? But also how successful it is in developing especially a bonding force for graduates of their own educational backgrounds and communicating it offensive?

The interpretation and ambition is not simply following the logic of a regional center, but to establish a regiopolis seems to be a current challenge as well as an opportunity for some small cities in Germany. The procedure for determining the regiopolis are to be found here.

The criteria by which a city can be classified as a potential regiopolis are the following:

  • Located beyond a metropolis region
  • Population figure of the core city or of the urban composite counts over 100,000 residents
  • High-ranking system of the infrastructure
  • Of great economic significance
  • Location of “global players” and “hidden champions”
  • Concentration on innovation potentials
  • A university location or the location of a grand technical college