Infrastrukturfolgekosten der Siedlungsentwicklung unter Schrumpfungsbedingungen

Abstract

Previous research regarding the effects of urban form on public costs induced by investment, operation and maintenance of network-related technical infrastructures (water and energy supply, sewage disposal and roads) is characterized by a growth paradigm. Most of the available studies are intended to show that substantial cost savings can be achieved by increasing urban densities and locating new development near existing built-up areas. In most “cost of sprawl studies”, cost estimations are based on the assumption of constant population densities and consumption levels over time. But, for many European cities and regions facing population decline and economic stagnation, this postulate seems inappropriate. The decrease of population densities in residential areas is strongly linked with additional costs due to network underutilization. Reduced system utilization increases the per capita costs of operation and maintenance of roads, sewer or drinking water networks. In general, fewer residents have to pay more for oversized infrastructure facilities. Moreover, additional costs can result from enforced investments to keep up system efficiency or to demolish and downsize non-efficient facilities. Future research assessing the infrastructure efficiency of urban form will have to pay much more attention to these specific cost effects of urban shrinkage.

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