Using the example of the 'Werksviertel' district in Munich – the conversion of an industrial wasteland into a residential area – Gerhard Gross presented a planning process in Germany. The legal basis for planning is the Building Code. This regulates, amongst other things, citizen participation, the form of urban development contracts, the rezoning of land, and expropriation and compensation. Furthermore, the State Capital of Munich applies planning rules that stipulate the participation of the plan's beneficiaries (i.e. landowners) in the costs and charges for municipal land use planning. As soon as the planning process begins the City of Munich concludes a contract with all landowners and developers which specifies the contributions to the planning costs. A public invitation to tender issued to architectural firms for the design of the area is a further step. Early public participation is required by law, and is very important for acceptance of the process. This takes place, for example, through an exhibition on the draft plans, which then continues on the further steps of the construction planning process. The public information takes into account the basic principles of sustainable urban development: 'compact – urban – green'.

In his presentation, Rainer Müller-Jökel explained the steps of land redistribution in the course of land readjustment or 'reallocation'. It is a very effective, efficient and economical path for urban development and urban redevelopment. Through the rededication and development of fallow land into building land, this land undergoes an immense increase in value. In the process of reallocation, land ownership is reorganised so that plots of land are created that are suitably designed for building and other uses. The landowners receive a new piece of land, calculated as a percentage of the land they previously owned, minus the required public areas for roads, parks, playgrounds and public facilities. The basis for the reallocation is a legally binding land-use plan. This means that the owners receive a smaller piece of land in exchange, but one that is at least equal in value and location. In this way, the city avoids expensive land purchases and lengthy expropriation procedures, and the owners share the costs of the development, which is also possible at low cost 'from a single source', with equal treatment of all actors involved.

The discussion that followed revolved primarily around the question of how landowners and the general public can best be informed of the land-use plan, and persuaded of its benefits. Gerhard Gross explained that this first of all always depends on the particular local and cultural situation. At the same time, it is important to keep offering spaces for discussion at intervals over a longer period of time, such as two to three years, where concerns can be expressed, questions asked and options discussed. These might include an exhibition of the building plans submitted by the bidders, citizens' advice services or online forums.

'Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all in the present.'
Albert Camus

In the second part of the dialogue, Reham Bataineh, head of the local planning department, presented the analyses carried out so far on the Tareq B development area, with respect to:

• the topography
• rainfall, possible rainwater collection tanks and irrigation systems
• accessibility via nearby roads
• the social and cultural makeup of neighbouring districts
• existing municipal services in neighbouring districts
• the current ownership structure of the development.

Amman is located on a hilly landscape. Originally built on seven hills, the Amman Metropolitan Area, with its population of more than four million, stretches over a total of 19 hills with elevations ranging from approximately 725 - 1,100 metres above sea level. The B Tareq area is also hilly, with elevations of between 820 metres at the lowest and 885 metres at the highest point, and gradients ranging from 3.5% to 22%. This makes development, including road construction and water supply and sanitation, more difficult and more expensive.

The area, which looks like a 'T' lying on its side, is connected to main roads at all three 'ends' and is thus well integrated into the region as a whole.

The neighbouring districts are largely middle class. Many residents have only recently moved there from other parts of the city or country – quite a few of them young families with children. However, they are dissatisfied with the educational facilities in the area due to the high school fees, the lack of public high schools for boys and the lack of kindergartens and affordable primary schools within walking distance. There are also too few health centres, and young people complain of a lack of recreational opportunities.

The area under development is largely divided up into small, privately-owned parcels. Furthermore, the land is passed on from parents to children and grandchildren by inheritance. As a result, there are many owners of one and the same piece of land. Trying to get all these heirs to agree on something is a major challenge. The area, which is divided into nine planning units, belongs to an estimated 180 owners.

The municipal budget for developing the area is tight, which does not the process any easier. Legally, 25% of the land can be allocated to the municipality for public use. Furthermore, there is an apportionment procedure for the owners' participation in the development and infrastructure costs, based on the building density. However, the legal situation here is unfavourable for the Municipality of Amman, which is why claiming the money in court is often unsuccessful. As a result, the financing of a new land-use plan is on shaky ground.

As the discussion continued, participants identified the creation of a municipal ordinance and contracting with landowners as a primary issue that should be addressed first, before professionals address the other challenges presented by the fragmented ownership landscape and hilly topography.

Participants agreed to translate and share legal texts and building land regulations between Germany and Jordan in the run-up to the next online dialogue and to discuss possibilities of improving the law at the next meeting in December 2021.

This exchange of expertise also resulted in a Jordanian fact finding mission to Germany in order to intensify the exchange of experiences for the implementation of the project ideas:

Ideas to emulate – Sustainable urban development planning in Germany
2023 - Study tour to Germany by the Department of Urban Planning and Planning Permission of Greater Amman Municipality, Jordan, in August 2022