Sustainable Development of Economy

A balanced population development must be secured to the benefit of the development of the Rhön as a stable region. Economic activities must be expanded by activating indigenous regional potentials. The reunification of large-scale projects can secure a balanced economic development which means in particular that those kinds of economic activities and products should be supported which use natural potentials sparingly. The following measures are proposed by different economic sectors: Qualifying labour force from the region by means of regional qualification activities. Providing information and contacts as well as advice to small and medium-sized companies, e.g., for the joint marketing of regional products. Supporting types of production, products and services which are adapted to the biosphere reserve by sensitising companies, initiating exemplary projects and promoting cooperation.

Accompanying processes and reducing barriers to developments by qualified accompanying processes (timely landscape structure plans and green space structure plans to avoid conflicts with nature conservation and as plans which constitute a basis for discussion). Securing industrial areas and other sites by keeping important development areas of municipalities free of inflexible plans; larger surfaces should be assigned in those municipalities which are already equipped with a good infrastructure, a good offer of services, and good connections to the road and rail network. Securing a supply of goods and services close to the private households also in smaller villages, for example by pooling service functions. Villages, town and cities in the biosphere reserve must be maintained and if need be restructured in their typically regional character as part of the landscape which has grown over the years. In addition to the internal structuring of the municipalities they must also be integrated into the surrounding landscape in a harmonious way (meadow orchards, hedges and cottage gardens). For newly built houses typical local materials should be used, structural shapes typical for the region must be documented and used also for new buildings. The identification of plots for construction purposes must be primarily oriented towards local needs, should guarantee a possibly sparing consumption of landscape and melt into the landscape as much as possible. More extensive developments should be concentrated in central municipalities with a sufficient infrastructure: a limited constructional development can also be permitted in smaller districts of a municipality. The supply of essential goods must also be guaranteed in medium-sized and smaller centres, if possible also in smaller villages.