Die Landflucht

Rural-to-urban migration is not only transforming rural areas, but is also presenting Germany's legal system with new challenges. For this reason, this thesis conducts a comprehensive examination of the constitutional and administrative law implications of this form of migration. It considers historical developments, the implications for national, local and regional planning law, as well as specific countermeasures. Another central issue is whether, and to what extent, the state is currently obliged to ensure equivalent living conditions in urban and rural areas, and how such an obligation could be specifically enshrined in the constitution. This thesis combines legal analysis with an ongoing socio-political debate.