Resilient spatial structures: Spatial planning and development strengthen national and collective defence and civil protection

Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its war of aggression against Ukraine since 2022 have been instrumental in bringing national and collective defence and civil protection back into the public and political spotlight. It is clear that a great deal of catching up is required in both the military and civilian sectors, not least in terms of strengthening societal and spatial resilience. With their core competence in shaping spatial structures and developments at all levels, spatial planning and spatial planning policy must also contribute to strengthening the resilience of the state, the economy and society. This position paper highlights the importance of securing and strengthening resilient spatial structures through spatial planning and development, and outlines the options (and necessities) for action at all levels of spatial planning. It argues that the inclusion of resilience in spatial planning instruments and spatial planning policy should be mandatory and that traditional maxims, such as the bundling of infrastructure, must be reconsidered. The position paper formulates numerous recommendations that the federal states and regional planning organisations should incorporate into their respective plans to support national and collective defence and civil protection. Finally, it calls on actors in the fields of spatial planning, national and collective defence and civil protection to engage in continual dialogue and exchange.