Book reviews: Atlas zur Raumentwicklung

Michael Blakemore · 1981

This review assesses the multi-volume Atlas zur Raumentwicklung published by the Federal Planning Agency (BfLR) in 1979–80. Covering themes such as labour, population, housing, leisure, and land use, the atlas targets a broad audience ranging from national and local planning agencies to educational and research institutions, as well as interested readers outside West Germany. The author examines its structural organization, data currency, multilingual legends, colour schemes, and computer-assisted cartographic techniques, noting both strengths and limitations. While some colour choices may confuse readers and the absence of a simultaneous administrative-boundaries volume is seen as a logistical shortcoming, the atlas is praised for its graphic quality, effective information design, and successful integration of computer methods. Overall, it constitutes a valuable reference for West German regional planning and demonstrates that computer techniques have become a practical tool in modern cartography, offering lessons beyond its intended purpose.