Land Use in Germany and Its Regional Features

Abstract

Land use issues are a hot topic both in Russia and abroad. This happens due to the rapid growth of the metropolis, a decrease in agricultural land, changes in cultural landscape, and the ever-increasing development of tourism. The article discusses some land use regulations in Germany, laws concerning inheritance and sale of agricultural land, as well as conflict situations that arise between the tourism industry and agriculture in Bavaria. In Germany, more than two-thirds of the land is owned by private owners. There is no land without an ownership in the country. Private property has been unshakable for centuries. Many land holdings are family owned and inherited. Agricultural land in Bavaria, for example, is protected especially to preserve rural settlements and cultural landscape. However, the modern pace and lifestyle, rising housing prices and housing shortages lead to the fact that a part of the agricultural land is alienated, sold and gradually built up. The article, by the case of Bavaria, describes different types of property: private, communal, collective (partnership). There are also given examples of cooperation/conflicts of agriculture and tourism. The article emphasizes priority rights of communities over entrepreneurs and their right of veto over construction or other land-related operations.