Abstract
Rosalyn Scaff

This paper examines the spatial ramifications of the reunification of East and West Germany. Specifically, the population and environment dynamic are explored through an investigation and analysis of population trends, and the past and present environmental state. This paper proposes to answer the question: has reunification helped or hindered this former eastern bloc country, and more specifically, how has land development and the ecosystem been effected by reuniting the two nations?

East Germany is the only eastern block country to have been united with a western nation. The implications or this union have had a great impact on the country; more money was given to the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the first few years after the fall of communism than any of the eastern blocks combined (Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungry, Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia). Yet, monetary aid has not brought the country to the economic highs that many had hoped and predicted. Environmental problems coupled with a population emigrating to the west have created slow economic development in the east. Meanwhile, those remaining in the eastern portion of the country demand goods and services attainable in the west. Building and construction are the only industries which have consistently not experienced job losses. While the population of the entire country declines, and more people leave the east, we see a rise land development. Loss of green space, detraction of economic development from the older inner cities, increased traffic patterns and higher rates of environmental pollutants are only some of the repercussions of this type of rapid, unchecked growth. Proposals are made in this paper as to how the newly reunited country can curb and control this type of expansion.