Retail and centre concept
The retail sector is subject to constant structural change. Local authorities can actively support the changes in the retail sector. For targeted control of retail and centre development, the creation of a retail and centre concept is essential for legal and municipal policy reasons.
A retail and centre concept is an informal plan without direct legal effect; it can neither create nor destroy building rights. The concept therefore requires implementation through development plans.
The Chemnitz City Council adopted the retail and centre concept for the city of Chemnitz on 13/09/2023. As an urban development concept, it must be taken into account in particular when drawing up development plans (see Section 1 (6) No. 11 BauGB).
Goals and core elements
The concept pursues the following objectives:
- Strengthening Chemnitz city centre and positioning it as a leading retail location, taking into account its function as a regional supply centre
- Securing and expanding consumer-oriented supply, in particular the basic supply of the population close to their homes
- Reviewing, maintaining and developing the central supply areas
The retail and centre concept contains the following core elements to safeguard and implement the aforementioned objectives:
- Spatial-functional definition of the central supply areas
- Local list to differentiate between local supply-relevant, centre-relevant and non-centre-relevant product ranges ("Chemnitz list")
- Establishment criteria for retail trade control by linking the location concept and the product range list
The central supply areas play a key role in Chemnitz's retail structure. These are spatially definable areas in integrated urban locations which, due to existing retail uses - often supplemented by various services and catering outlets - have a supply function beyond the immediate local area. They are to be preserved and developed.
Centre and location model
The figure illustrates the allocation of retail locations in the centre model.
In addition to the city centre, five C-centres and 16 D-centres were identified as central supply areas.
In addition, 19 privileged local supply locations and seven special locations for large-scale retail (no central supply areas) were identified.
The privileged local supply locations are existing food retail locations. Due to their integrated location in the settlement structure, they contribute to a large extent to the provision of basic services close to residential areas. Conceptually, the existing stores located there are given a development perspective so that the local supply can continue to be secured.
In addition to securing the local supply, the concept also aims to expand the local supply. The background to this is that there are areas in the urban area where residents do not have access to supplies on foot. These areas were analysed in detail. As a result, gaps in local supply can be closed in sparsely populated neighbourhoods, for example, if criteria defined in the concept are met.