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noun

Umwidmung

re-zoning

Definition & meaning

The German noun Umwidmung primarily refers to the act of changing the designated purpose, legal status, or use of something. It is most commonly used in the following contexts:

  1. Urban Planning and Real Estate: This is the most frequent usage. It describes the legal process of "rezoning" or changing the official designation of a piece of land. For instance, converting agricultural land into a residential building zone is an Umwidmung.
  2. Repurposing Buildings: It refers to the "rededication" or conversion of an existing structure for a new use, such as turning a closed church into a library or an old warehouse into apartments.
  3. Finance and Administration: It can mean the reallocation of funds or resources. If money was originally set aside for road construction but is instead used for education, it undergoes an Umwidmung.
  4. General Usage: In a broader sense, it describes giving a new meaning or function to an object or concept that was originally intended for something else.

Grammar & Word origin

The word is a feminine noun (die). Its plural form is die Umwidmungen.

It is a compound noun consisting of three parts:

  • um-: A prefix that often denotes a change, a transformation, or a shift from one state to another.
  • widmen: A verb meaning "to dedicate" or "to devote" something to a specific person or purpose.
  • -ung: A common suffix used to turn a verb into a noun, usually describing a process, an action, or the result of that action.

Literally, the word translates to a "re-dedication" or "change of dedication."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • Nutzungsänderung: Change of use; a very common technical term in architecture and law.
  • Umnutzung: Repurposing or conversion, often used for buildings.
  • Zweckänderung: Change of purpose.
  • Neunutzung: New use.
  • Reallokation: Reallocation, mostly used in financial or resource management contexts.

Antonyms

  • Widmung: The original dedication or designation of a purpose.
  • Beibehaltung: The act of maintaining or keeping the current status or purpose.
  • Festschreibung: The act of fixing or codifying a specific state or purpose so it cannot be changed.

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Examples

Gab es Einwände gegen die geplante Umwidmung?noun

Were there any objections to the planned re-zoning?

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