Regional Development Wiesental 2040

The Wiesental lies within the catchment area of the Basel metropolitan region and serves as the gateway to the major leisure and tourism area of the Southern Black Forest. From Basel/Lörrach, the region takes on an urban character, while the influence of the spectacular natural and experiential landscape of the Black Forest is palpable. Settlement and transport development is heavily shaped by topography and landscape regions. The urbanized valley floor—with the connecting federal road, the Wiesentalbahn railway, and the Wiese river—forms the functional backbone. The undeveloped mountain and hill tops, the side valleys with their water landscapes, and the remote hillside villages offer a charming and generous environment.

The integrated 2040 spatial concept illustrates the desired development at the intersection of landscape and urban space. The concept addresses settlement development, economy, landscape sub-areas and identities, as well as access and mobility within the landscape and suburban context. The spatial concept was developed through a widely supported process. Through interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration with project leaders, advisory groups, and the public, regional understanding was sharpened among politicians, businesses, administrations, residents, and various interest groups. Within this framework, the 2040 spatial concept serves not only as a substantive spatial planning guiding document but also as a communication tool in subsequent planning steps and during the implementation of further plans and projects.