The vital, functionally mixed city is the guiding principle of sustainable urban development. Urban production can make an important contribution to the mix of functions. After years of functional segregation, it shows ways in which new city-affine production typologies, manufactories, small businesses and crafts can achieve more functional mixing in the various city quarters and secure or restore supply qualities. Functional mix aims not only at the mixture of living and working, but also at the coexistence of different types of businesses, production sectors and services. Urban production promises smaller series through, among other things, digital control, decentralised production, a more economical use of space, minimised transport routes and fewer emissions. Technical innovations such as 3D printing and the emergence of FabLabs or open workshops also support city-based production and repair, which can promote the circular economy and bring sustainable products into focus.
In the research report "Produktion zurück ins Quartier? New Places of Work in the Mixed City", which was prepared by the Institute for Work and Technology and StadtRaumKonzept on behalf of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Building and Equality of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, discusses possibilities for stabilising and revitalising mixed structures through Urban Production. In particular, the question is also posed as to whether current planning instruments are suitable for enabling mixing and counteracting the further displacement of commercial uses in the production sector.
The following questions were at the heart of the report:
- Is urban production a step towards a "city of short distances"?
- What are the chances for a significant amount of new production in the cities of North Rhine-Westphalia and what are the possibilities for establishing new functional mixes in urban quarters?
- What are the planning law challenges and conflicts of use?
- What influence do planning and property policy, real estate and subsidy mechanisms have on the location decisions of manufacturing companies?
- What instruments must be given to cities to enable the preservation of production and its return to the neighbourhoods?
On the one hand, a telephone survey of all 29 major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia was conducted in order to identify trends and challenges on the part of urban planning and economic development with regard to the topic of urban production. On the other hand, case studies in three categories were examined: urban producing companies, neighbourhoods and a city-wide strategy. In addition, strategic recommendations for the promotion of Urban Production are explained as well as concrete municipal implementation possibilities and development paths are presented.
Inst. Arbeit und Technik / StadtRaumKonzept Brandt, Martina et al. (2017): Production back to the neighbourhood? New places of work in a mixed city. Final report commissioned by the Ministry for Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Building and Equality of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Gelsenkirchen / Dortmund
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