Landesausbau

Landesausbau describes medieval settlement and cultivation processes in regions of Western Europe that were previously only sparsely populated or uninhabitable.

[4] The Landesausbau was caused by several factors, including a moderate climate known as the Medieval Warm Period from about 950 to 1250, which resulted in a greater exploitation of the natural resources and in longer and more productive growing season.

[6] The population of Europe increased significantly at the High Middle Ages, but an extensive, almost deserted fallow land of forests and marshes was not cleared.

The spread of a new money system in the 12th century, the birth of towns with market privileges, the creation of new distant trade routes to the Netherlands and Lombardy and intensive commercial relations all greatly increased the mobility of merchants and craftmen.

[8] The merchants and craftmen were attracted by privileges such as free trade and the heritable, interest-free ownership of their enclosed domiciles in urban centres.