Atlas of Spatial Development 8: Environment and Energy

Book reviews: Atlas zur Raumentwicklung

Michael Blakemore · 1981

This is an academic review of the multi-volume Atlas zur Raumentwicklung (Atlas of Regional Development) compiled by the Federal Planning Agency (BfLR) in West Germany. The ambitious eleven-volume atlas covers themes including labour, population, housing, leisure, and land use, targeting a diverse audience from local to national planning agencies, educational and research institutions, and international users. The review notes the atlas's standardized structure, with each volume containing 10-14 large map sheets accompanied by multilingual titles and explanatory graphics. Despite data primarily reflecting the late 1960s and early 1970s, the author argues that the high-quality analytical and cartographic techniques compensate for potential obsolescence. The review critically examines colour schemes, symbol design, and computer-assisted cartography, concluding that the atlas excels in visual communication and pedagogical value, marking a new era where computer techniques are routinely integrated into cartographic practice.