Strategic framework for the economy, housing and open spaces until 2035

The previously effective land use plan dates back to 2006 - in the meantime, Jena and its surrounding area have changed significantly. A population that has grown since then, the continuing need for living space, new company settlements, changing mobility and infrastructure requirements and the consequences of climate change make it necessary to update the city-wide planning framework.

"As a result of an intensively reviewed and widely discussed process, we now have an updated land use plan that is technically sound and ready for a decision," says Dirk Lange, Head of Urban Development and Environment for the City of Jena. The decision is to be made by the city council before the summer break.

Planning principles are confirmed

Over the past few years, the public, authorities, public agencies, district councils, advisory boards and other bodies have been involved several times. The preliminary draft of the plan was already on public display in 2023; the draft was put on public display for two months in 2025. As a result of the public display of the draft and the consideration of all concerns, the main features of the plan remain unchanged. The adjustments to the plan drawing are essentially limited to editorial corrections, clarifying additions, clarifications and informational transfers and notes.

"The evaluation of the public consultation confirms the guiding planning principles of the basic concept for the city as a whole. The plan, which is based on current specialist planning, thus proves to be a viable basis for the coming years," says Lange.

Overall urban interests in harmony

The land use plan brings together different spatial requirements and balances them in the interests of the city as a whole. It answers the central question of where Jena can continue to develop without losing its special qualities. The updated plan builds on numerous existing specialist plans and development concepts already adopted by the city council - including the integrated urban development concept and the concepts for residential development, workplace and commercial space development, garden development and urban climate.

"The land use plan bundles these technical principles into an overarching picture of the intended urban development," explains Dirk Lange. "It provides orientation for citizens and at the same time forms a strategic framework for political priorities and urban action. Jena should be able to develop further - but not arbitrarily, but with a view to the city as a whole."

Strengthening the business and science location

One focus is on strengthening the city as a business and science location. Jena wants to secure jobs and provide space for future industries, science, technology and innovation. At the same time, housing remains one of the most pressing social issues in urban development. The FNP does not create any direct building rights for this, but it does form the strategic guideline for considering residential construction areas, commercial areas, infrastructure, open spaces and climate issues in a city-wide context.

City of short distances remains the guiding principle

The principle of the compact city remains an important guiding principle: living, working, education, amenities, culture and recreation should remain as easily accessible as possible. Short distances strengthen walking, cycling and public transport, reduce traffic pressure and conserve resources. In this way, social, ecological and economic goals are combined.

Green open spaces benefit the climate and urban quality

Open spaces also remain a key quality feature of Jena. The overall balance of the FNP shows that around 80 percent of the urban area is still shown as open spaces such as agriculture, forest, green spaces and water areas. This makes it clear that further development and protection are not seen as opposites. Rather, it is about a conscious approach to the scarce resource of land.

The land use plan provides orientation for the city as a whole

"Jena needs development opportunities for business, science and housing. At the same time, open spaces, urban climate, landscape and quality of life must be safeguarded. The land use plan achieves precisely this balance," summarizes Lange. "Precisely because the technical and public consultation was so comprehensive, it is now important to look at the big picture and give Jena a compass for urban development over the next ten to 15 years." The conclusion of the process is the logical next step so that Jena can once again base its future development on an up-to-date and reliable foundation.

Benefits of an effective land use plan for the city of Jena

An updated land use plan strengthens the city's strategic land management. Development projects and the associated land acquisition can be sensibly coordinated with a view to the city as a whole. At the same time, it forms the basis for future development plans.

It is also important for the implementation of the Jena residential building land model. The building land model is designed as a strategic concept for controlling land use with the aim of creating affordable housing, actively developing municipal land, controlling the use of private land and implementing socio-political, urban development and ecological goals. An effective land use plan provides the spatial orientation framework for this.

An up-to-date land use plan is also becoming increasingly important in view of new instruments such as the so-called "construction turbo". The federal government has introduced the construction turbo to accelerate housing construction. The land use plan ensures that accelerated developments remain strategically embedded, are sensibly managed in terms of urban development and that social and ecological qualities are preserved.

The next steps to effectiveness and approval

In the further process, the Urban Development and Environment Committee will make a recommendation to the City Council. Once the city council has passed a resolution on consideration and approval, the updated land use plan will be submitted to the Thuringian State Administration Office for approval. It only becomes effective once the approval has been publicly announced.

What is a land use plan?

The land use plan shows the general outline of the land uses planned for the entire urban area in the long term. It sets a framework for a long-term time horizon of approx. 15 years and presents this in a rough structural concept. For example, it shows where residential construction areas, commercial construction areas, communal areas, green areas, traffic areas, agricultural areas or forest areas are planned.

Unlike a development plan, the land use plan does not make any specific stipulations for specific plots of land. As a so-called "preparatory urban land-use plan" , it does not create any direct building rights for individual properties and does not establish any direct legal claims for citizens. It is primarily binding on the administration and forms the framework from which development plans are to be developed.

Updating the land use plan is one of the city's mandatory municipal tasks in accordance with the German Building Code.