Regiopoles

Regiopoles and regiopolitan regions are currently receiving a great deal of attention in urban systems research and in spatial planning policy. In spatial planning policy, regiopolises are assumed to be growth and innovation cores outside the metropolitan regions and are thus the bearers of hope for the support of equal living conditions in Germany. In 2019, for example, the conclusions of the Equal Living Conditions Commission recommend "promoting the development of the network of regiopolises." The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development are currently implementing this in the "Shaping Regions" program.

At the same time, from the point of view of urban system research, there is still a lack of clarity as to which functional and spatial dimension can be associated with regiopolises. What are the functions of regiopolises? How can regiopolises be spatially delimited? What is the relationship between regiopolises and their surrounding areas and metropolises and their metropolitan, possibly polycentric interdependencies?

These questions will be addressed in cooperation with the TU Dortmund University. On the basis of a critical review of the previous understanding of regiopolises, a further understanding of regiopolises and proposals for the empirical analysis of regiopolises will be developed.