Urban Dimension of U-Space: Local Planning Considerations for Drone Integration

U-Space, the European Union’s legal framework for enabling drone traffic in low altitude, has implications extending beyond airspace management, particularly on the sustainable development of urban areas. This article presents a case study involving regional and local level representatives, examining anticipated concerns and strategic interests, as well as managing requirements in urban U-Space planning. Following a three-stage capacity building process conducted in the German federal state of Hamburg, the results specify ambitions for enhancing economic attractiveness coupled with locally embedded visions for improved public service provision. Instruments that have shown apposite in the given setting to address concerns surrounding public order and security, as well as the impairment of area functions, are presented. The challenges of implementing U-Space in alignment with societal expectations are outlined. Based on the discussion of these findings, recommendations for local-level capacity-building policy and the multi-level governance of U-Space are derived.