Muster der Einwohnerschrumpfung in bundesdeutschen Städten zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts
Peter Franz
Schrumpfende Städte. Ein Phänomen zwischen Antike und Moderne (Institut für vergleichende Städtegeschichte, Reihe Städteforschung, Bd. 76),
2008
Abstract
The article analyzes the trends of shrinking and growing population in the German cities since 1990. After presenting diverse data on the level of the cities and the city regions, the small scale population change within cities is exemplified by the case of the city of Halle in Saxony-Anhalt. Several models and theories are checked if they can explain the phenomenon of shrinking cities. The article closes with a preliminary resume.
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Using multivariate statistical methods to identify municipality clusters
Dirk Trocka
Теоретические основы и опыт стратегическ,
2008
Abstract
The monthly calculation of the Consumer Price Index is based on a sample survey in different municipalities. This study intends to evaluate and improve the representativity of the municipalities within the sample in Saxony-Anhalt with respect to their number and type applying multivariate analysis. The analysis uses variables representing both demand and supply conditions in the municipalities that determine market outcomes. It also considers the importance of a municipality for the neighbouring area.
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Suburban Municipalities on Trial – Analysing the Sustainability of Socioeconomic Structures at the Example of the Municipality Schkopau
Sabine Döhler, Alexander Kubis
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 7,
2008
Abstract
This article analyses socio-economic criteria of municipalities next to large cities. In a case study, we examine the municipality Schkopau in the south of Saxony-Anhalt. We ask if the fusion of smaller communes to this “new” municipality created in 2004 was rational in terms of sustainable socio-economic structures. Hence, we use the criteria of satellite towns developed by Boustedt.
We show that the criterion of political independence is assured by law. Meanwhile, the criteria independence of culture and urban development are not completely fulfilled. Due to the high density of industrial enterprises, the municipality has high tax revenue and therefore a strong financial basis. Also, the criterion of the minimum population figure is implemented.
Based on the specific results of the satellite town criteria, we could not find definite results for the municipality Schkopau, they are rather ambivalent. This result is partly caused by the strong interactions within the functional area of the provinces Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Due to the high dynamic of the structural change, we also point out the necessity to enhance the criteria for sustainable socio-economic structures of local and regional municipalities.
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Is a Centralisation of Local Governmental Structures an Appropriate Way to Ensure an Efficient Provision of Local Public Services? Findings from Case Studies in the State of Saxony-Anhalt
Gerhard Heimpold, Martin T. W. Rosenfeld
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 1,
2008
Abstract
Choosing the appropriate organisational model for local government (i. e. centralised vs. federal model) forms an essential challenge for local communities. Against the background of Fiscal Federalism, a trade-off between the two models mentioned can be expected: Though the centralised model may bring up economies of scale and scope, the federal form of local government may have advantages, too, for instance regarding the extent of civil participation. The article has the intention to answer the question how the degree of centralisation/decentralisation of local governmental organisation affects the provision of services of public interest. The article is based on case studies conducted in ten municipalities located in the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The government of Saxony-Anhalt intends to implement a reform project targeted at the modernisation of local governmental organisation. The basic reform idea is to transform the local governmental structures from a situation (at the beginning of 2008) where a co-existence of centralised and federally organised municipalities is given towards a future situation where the centralised model should be dominating. In line with the expectation derived from theory, the empirical findings do not draw a picture, which is unequivocally in favour either of the centralised or of the federal model. However, the reform of modernisation of local governmental organisation should remain on the agenda, especially due to a shrinking population in the rural parts of Saxony-Anhalt. This could support the state government’s plans of a more centralized organisation of local government. But this would mean to give up the advantages of the existing federal model of local government. Therefore, in addition to the centralised model favoured by the state government, politicians in Saxony-Anhalt should look for the possibility of an alternative “third” model, which tries to combine the advantages of economies of scale with a greater degree of civil participation.
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Reform of Local Municipal Structures: Centralization not only Implicates Advantages
Peter Haug, Claus Michelsen
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 11,
2007
Abstract
The question whether centralized or decentralized municipal structures are more efficient has been discussed, not only in Germany, for a long time primarily under aspects of law and administrative sciences. In this article, we use an economic approach instead. The prevailing theories on interjurisdictional competition are not conclusive about the cost and welfare effects of centralization. Therefore, using the example of Saxony-Anhalt we investigate empirically if there are any significant differences in expenses or personnel between more centralized municipal governance forms (“Einheitsgemeinden”) or rather decentralized forms (“Verwaltungsgemeinschaften”). Our cross-section analysis for selected municipal activities reveals that both types are very similar in their cost and manning structures. Significant differences can be explained rather by different population densities than by the organizational structure. Considering these results we do not recommend a forced amalgamation of the municipalities in Saxony-Anhalt. Especially, if frustration cost or the political transaction cost, which both rise with centralization, are taken into account.
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Fiscal economy potentials of a county structure reform in Saxony-Anhalt
Simone Scharfe
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 5,
2006
Abstract
In view of the foreseeable demographic and finance-political developments the public house holds of Eastern Germany are under considerable strain to consolidate. This applies particularly to Saxony-Anhalt and there especially to local authorities. In 2003 the municipal expenses level (running material expenses and personnel expenses) of counties and communities in Saxony-Anhalt amounted 1,015 Euro per inhabitant and was clearly higher than the other East German states. Beyond the means of economisation through the efficient application of public funds, considerations are given to the potentials of country structure reforms. In the last legislative period, the CDU/FDP government already established the amalgamation of 24 counties to eleven new ones with the bill of 11.11.2005. The SPD - as an oppositional party at that time - submitted a proposal for an even further-reaching structural change with a concentration to five counties. This article comprises an estimation of the fiscal economisation potentials of both versions. In the first step, the (long term accessible) county expense levels of Saxony-Anhalt within the scope of the existing structure of a county is determined with the help of a Benchmarkanalysis. These results are then compared with expected expense levels of a reformed county structure which leads to the saving effect of the respective county reform. In the result of the analysis it appears that the suggestion of the SPD to the county structure reform allows to expect clearly higher saving effects than the suggestion of the former CDU/FDP government, a strong meaning of the already enforced community administrative reform is imputable.
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Sachsen-Anhalt als Wirtschaftsstandort: Wie erfolgreich sind das Land und seine Regionen?
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld
Geographische Rundschau,
2005
Abstract
The article examines the economic performance and the conditions for future economic development in the German Land of Saxony-Anhalt. After the integration of Saxony-Anhalt into the market economy since 1989, strong structural changes have taken place. Nevertheless, agriculture, coal mining and the chemical industry as some of the traditional sectors of the Land’s economy have remained their importance. The weak points of the economy are the low number of entrepreneurs and a low tendency for innovations in the private sector. The Magdeburg region and the Halle region have better conditions for (inter-) national competitiveness than the Altmark region and the Dessau region. But the potentials of the urban centers Magdeburg and Halle are - as compared to other East German cities - not very strong. For improving the eonomic conditions, new instruments for stimulating entrepreneurship and for strengthening the position of the two urban centers should be installed. In addition, innovation activities of private firms could be improved by new linkages between the private sector and Saxony-Anhalt’s public research units.
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Revitalisierungsprobleme ostdeutscher Innenstädte - Das Beispiel der Erreichbarkeit des Zentrums von Halle (Saale)
Peter Franz
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 201,
2004
Abstract
In the nineties the revitalization of the center of the city of Halle (Saale) (Saxony-
Anhalt) has been delayed by accessibility problems. The author uses the data of an empirical investigation in 2004 consisting of interviews with people in the street (N = 1 492) to check if this problematic situation is still existing. The results show ameliorations especially for persons using an automobile to reach the city center. Problems of accessibility tend to be rather low-rated on the list of urgent inner city problems. In comparison with several West German cities the city center of Halle still attracts a relative low proportion of persons living in the suburbs and the surrounding region.
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Prospective development of the population in Saxony-Anhalt from 2002 to 2020
Herbert Buscher, Gabriele Hardt
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 15,
2004
Abstract
Bevölkerungsprojektionen kommt eine wichtige Bedeutung im politischen und wirtschaftspolitischen Entscheidungsprozess zu. Aus diesem Grund veröffentlicht das IWH in unregelmäßigen Abständen Bevölkerungsprojektionen sowohl für die einzelnen neuen Bundesländer als auch für Ostdeutschland insgesamt. In diesem Beitrag wird die voraussichtliche Bevölkerungsentwicklung für Sachsen- Anhalt bis 2020 untersucht. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass den Annahmen über mögliche Wanderungsbewegungen eine bedeutende Rolle zukommt. Je nach Annahme über den Wanderungssaldo fallen die Berechnungen der zukünftigen Bevölkerung günstiger oder ungünstiger für Sachsen-Anhalt aus.
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Position and perspectives of Saxony-Anhalt in the New Economy
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld, Joachim Ragnitz, Rupert Kawka, Walter Komar
IWH-Sonderhefte,
No. 6,
2003
Abstract
Der technische Fortschritt zählt zu den zentralen Determinanten des wirtschaftlichen Wachstums. Regionen, in denen viel Forschung und Entwicklung betrieben wird, haben daher eine bessere Ausgangsposition im Standortwettbewerb als solche, wo dies in nur geringerem Maß geschieht. Eine besondere Hoffnung gilt dabei den Hochtechnologiebranchen und nicht zuletzt dem hier untersuchten Informations- und Kommunikationssektor sowie dem Biotechnologiesektor. Diese beiden Bereiche bilden einen wesentlichen Teilbestand der so genannten New Economy. Die Vergangenheit hat gezeigt, dass die New Economy nicht von Krisen verschont bleibt, und so ist ein realistischeres Bild von den Chancen, die diese Hochtechnologien bieten können, entstanden. Dennoch besteht die berechtigte Hoffnung, dass die beiden genannten Branchen weiterhin einen weitreichenden Einfluss auch auf andere Wirtschaftssektoren ausüben, indem sie so genannte Schlüssel- oder Querschnittstechnologien entwickeln und anbieten.
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