1. The reasons for giving this talk:

 

According to the agreement of the coalition of governing parties from the 14th legislative period, the Federal Government of Germany wanted to rework the German Federal Nation Conservation Act "with the aim to design future land use in ways that are more sustainable for nature, the environment and the landscape, to create a habitat system of about 10% of the country's total area, to protect biodiversity and to include a provision for landscaping to encompass all areas".


The amendment was designed to "replace the existing German Federal Conservation Act" due to "reasons of environmental policy and scientific consideration" (see also Hintergrundpapier zur Novelle des Bundesnaturschutzgesetzes; 2.2.2001 and the article: "Jürgen Trittin: Neues Naturschutzgesetz schafft Ausgleich zwischen Schutz und Nutzung der Natur. Beitrag zum ökologischen Umsteuern in der Landwirtschaft", published online on 2.2.2001")


In my view, the proposed amendment raised the following questions that will have to be discussed thoroughly:

  1. Is the amendment, as intended, going to "improve the prospects of future generations"?

  1. Will there be an improvement of possibilities for citizens to participate in planning, as intended?

  1. Will the prospects for development in different regions be influenced in a different manner? (for example: regarding development opportunities of rural areas?)

  1. Is there an impact on the constitutional rights of communities and townships?

  1. Is it possible to bear the costs of implementing the amendment?


To answer these questions we have to discuss the basics of landscaping. This article - excerpts from a lecture that has been delivered in the Protestant Academy of Tutzing on 3rd February 2001 - may be helpful on this account.