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A brief description of the planning region
The planning region of Western Mecklenburg is defined in § 12 of the Regional Planning Act of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as consisting of the administrative districts of Ludwigslust, North-West Mecklenburg and Parchim together with the urban districts of the City of Schwerin – the state capital – and the Hanseatic City of Wismar. With an area of 6,998 km², Western Mecklenburg is one of Germany’s largest planning regions. However, since the population of 480,961 (as at 31.12.2008) is relatively low for the area of the region, the population density is only 68.7 people per km². In geographical terms, the economic position of Western Mecklenburg is determined by its position alongside the neighbouring Federal States of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Brandenburg. Its spatial proximity to the metropolitan regions of Hamburg, Berlin-Brandenburg and the regional centre of Lübeck and its direct links to the Baltic region via the port of Wismar act in its favour. Other features which should be highlighted for their potential are the excellent road links across a wide area via the A 24, A 20 and A 14 autobahns; the outstanding areas of unspoiled nature with four major reserves and approx 40% nature and landscape conservation areas; some 110 km of Baltic Sea coast with approx 40 km of bathing beaches; the considerable range of major commercial locations and residential estates which have already been developed in attractive positions; the favourable conditions for agricultural production; Parchim Airport; the University of Wismar; and the cultural centres of The City of Schwerin – the state capital – and the Hanseatic City of Wismar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are significant within the Federal Republic as a whole. It is notable that, with its intact environment, over 50% of the region’s area is suitable for tourism.
