Urban-Rural Partnerships Growth and innovation through cooperation

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Urban-Rural Partnerships Growth and innovation through cooperation 4 5

Table of content

Urban-Rural Partnerships

Growth and innovation through cooperation

Foreword 7

A pilot project for urban-rural partnerships – why and to what end? 8 Projects rather than programmes – What does MORO stand for? 10 On the term ‘urban-rural partnerships’ 10

A European project 11 An interview with Dr Dirk Ahner 12

Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 14 The power of cooperating 14 What does ‘variable geometry’ mean? 17 An interview with Lord Mayor Dr Maly 19 Specific, binding, and on equal terms 21

The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 31 Regional partnership in northern Germany / Hamburg Metropolitan Region (MORO Nord) 32 Cooperation and networking in the north-east 40 Central German Metropolitan Region (formerly called Saxon Triangle) 46 WKI supra-regional partnership 53 Nuremberg Metropolitan Region 57 European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart 63 European Integrated Area Lake Constance 69

Contact points, links and bibliography 74 Publication data 76 6 7

Foreword

One vital hallmark of a successful policy is that it is beneficial not only for one group of people but takes the entire population and their interests into consideration. This is also true for issues relating to urban and rural areas. Time and again there have been approaches according to which the two were to be treated separately, linked with a requirement to focus on one side or the other.

The supra-regional partnerships pilot project Such viewpoints not only misconstrue what has shown that approaches incorporating life is like in our country, but also, by dividing rural areas in their development concepts can urban from rural areas are far from being fair or be successful even in metropolitan regions. future-oriented. Given the range of challenges The support of urban-rural partnerships as we are facing, if we wish to achieve progress in an important prerequisite for growth and our country we need to see the whole picture. innovations also constitutes one of the future

tasks of European spatial planning policies. When urban and rural areas act in concert I am delighted to see that in this context the both will win. The spatial planning pilot project supra-regional partnerships pilot project has “Supra-Regional Partnerships – Innovative received a highly positive response from the Projects for City-Regional Cooperation, European Commission. We need to aim to Networking and Joint Responsibility” has significantly improve the synergies between illustrated how such a cooperation can cohesion and rural development policies. promote growth and innovations and also Urban-rural partnerships do not automatically improve the quality of life. I owe thanks to all ensure success. We will drive this process by the people in the regions involved for making supporting specific projects and intensifying this project a success by contributing their the dialogue among all the players in spatial ideas, commitment and their willingness to development. cooperate.

Germany’s spatial planning policies at the national level and the regional levels have good Dr Peter Ramsauer reasons to pursue an approach of a “community Federal Minister of Transport, of joint responsibility”. The central aim is to Building and Urban Development achieve good partnership relations between urban and rural areas. Such relations can improve an entire region’s competitiveness and create equivalent living conditions. 8 9 Concept: Growth and Innovation Metropolitan Region

Cores of the Capital Region and of existing European Metropolitan Regions A pilot project for Other cities with Metropolitan Functions Metropolitan Region urban-rural partnerships – Areas of influence including rural areas

Transition region between Metropolitan why and to what end? Regions

Growth regions outside Metropolitan Regions

New challenges regions are intended to contribute as partners, particularly to enhance growth and innovations. In recent years new challenges such as This is in line with the desire to empower every Stabilisation areas globalisation, demographic change, climate area, whether strong or weak, to identify and change, and scarcity of natural resources have pool potential, and to establish networks from led to adaptations in the political goals and which they will jointly benefit. strategies in the field of spatial development at Spatial structure the European level and national levels. Central area of high density

Dense intermediate area A new understanding of spatial planning is On the term considered a vital precondition for a spatial urban-rural partnerships development policy to succeed. In a new understanding of spatial planning, it will link While the project was running it different levels and include cooperation among became clear that it is better to speakConcept: of Growth and Innovation municipalities, cities, urban-rural areas as “communities of joint responsibility” Metropolitan Region well as peripheral areas. It will also facilitate than “supra-regional partnerships”. Cores of the Capital Region and of existing the cooperation among the fields of politics, The attribute “supra-regional” triggers European Metropolitan Regions administration, science, the business sector and an unnecessary discussion about Other cities with Metropolitan Functions civil society. terminology. The cooperation areas do Metropolitan Region indeed exceed past (regional) types of Spatial planning visions and strategies cooperation as well as (administrative) Areas of influence including rural areas © BBR Bonn 2006

district borders; most even go beyond 100 km Transition region between Metropolitan Germany‘s visions and strategies for spatial The map is illustrating the concept. However, the state borders. These new cooperation Regions development dating from 2006 have signature do not stand for determined planning. Concept: Growthareas, however, and basically Innovation act as regions. incorporated these goals. They are developing Metropolitan Region This is why terms such as “communities Growth regions outside Metropolitan Regions an innovative instrument for a spatial planning of joint responsibility” or “urban-rural Cores of the Capital Region and of existing policy targeted towards development and European Metropolitan Regions partnerships” are more accurate to express balance by applying a strategic „community Other cities with Metropolitan Functions what this type of cooperation strives for: of joint responsibility“ approach for cities, Metropolitan Region mobilising synergies for growth and Stabilisation areas metropolitan regions, and rural growth areas as innovation in urban and rural sub-regions Areas of influence including rural areas well as peripheral and structurally weak regions. by taking cooperative responsibility for Transition region between Metropolitan their future. Regions In these types of regions, which vary in terms of Spatial structure their structures and economic situation, all sub- Central area of high density Growth regions outside Metropolitan Regions Dense intermediate area

Figure 1: Vision for growth and innovation

Stabilisation areas

Spatial structure

Central area of high density

Dense intermediate area © BBR Bonn 2006

100 km The map is illustrating the concept. However, the signature do not stand for determined planning. © BBR Bonn 2006

100 km The map is illustrating the concept. However, the signature do not stand for determined planning. 10 A pilot project for urban-rural partnerships – why and to what end? 11

Projects rather than programmes – A European project What does MORO stand for?

With its action programme “Modellvorhaben In the context of MORO’s “Supra-Regional This requires new forms of regional der Raumordnung” (spatial planning pilot Partnerships – Innovative Projects for City- cooperation: between regional organisations projects) MORO, the Federal Ministry of Regional Cooperation, Networking and Joint and service providers; among networks; Transport, Building and Urban Development Responsibility”, the major issues in Europe between academic and economic clusters. is supporting hands-on testing and – as growth, innovation, and sustainable Many players in this cooperation did not know implementation of innovative approaches and development – were successfully driven each other before, knew nothing about each instruments in spatial planning in cooperations forward at the regional level. other and had never met. between academia and applied practice, i.e., with local players in the regions. The Federal Europe faces many challenges. Global Supra-regional partnerships take account of Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs competition, aging societies, climate change, the fact that a multitude of problems do not and Spatial Development at the Federal Office and the scarcity of resources have led to an respect administrative borders and can in fact for Building and Regional Planning supervises adaptation of strategies at the European level only be solved when administrative borders the action programme. It is responsible for in recent years. The “Europe 2020” strategy was are crossed. Established levels of cooperation – identifying promising new approaches for adopted in 2010 as a follow-up to the Lisbon municipalities with municipalities, cities with practical implementation to be turned into strategy. It aims at “smart, sustainable and their surrounding areas, regional planning pilot projects. It is to supervise them and to inclusive growth” and improved coordination with regional planning – have therefore been derive insights that can be adapted elsewhere, between the national and European economies. transcended. In supra-regional partnerships to organise transfer into practice and to provide the fields of politics, administration, academia, recommendations for changes in the national MORO’s research on supra-regional business, and civil society have worked regulatory framework. partnerships is based on these goals and together, and in so doing have increased their attempts to fulfil them by employing innovative political, economic or academic clout. This was MORO’s work is financed by direct funds to the approaches. Metropolitan regions are the mainly due to pilot regions that compensate for the additional starting point. As nodes in global networks, costs of research activities. It is also indirectly they enable even sub-regions that are further 1. a plethora of projects ranging from funded by external project management away from them to benefit from their hub regional chains of value added and provided by the Federal Government. The function and to contribute to development regional marketing to a cooperation project management includes using their own potential. This is why between economic clusters, peripheral and economically weaker areas were 2. consistent project orientation (ideas • organising knowledge transfer in the deliberately incorporated into supra-regional for cooperations were collected at the course of workshops, partnerships. The aim is to take them along on grassroot level in the regions, and were • disseminating the results in publications the journey towards more growth, innovation oriented along the partners’ specific and at expert conferences, and sustainability. needs), • evaluating the work and the reports of 3. crossing existing regional borders, the pilot projects. Supra-regional partnerships attempt to district, state and national borders, establish a compromise between growth and 4. flexible geographical demarcations compensation at the regional level. All regions for establishing various intra-regional – economically strong as well as weaker ones project partnerships (variable geometry), – are intended to contribute to growth and 5. newly developed governance models benefit from it. ensuring cooperation on equal terms. 12 A European project 13

Supra-regional partnerships take account of Does the research project have an influence on because any time a cooperation did come about the diversity of the cities and regions in Europe. the discussion within the EU? we have seen very good win-win results. They address goals adopted by European Yes, it does, because it fits into the debate at Regional Planning Ministers in May 2007 in the European level. People had assumed that Can the supra-regional cooperation model also their Territorial Agenda and further developed a partnership between urban and rural areas work for other regions such as Eastern and in the light of the “Europe 2020” strategy: to would be a win-win situation for both. But Northern Europe? Dr Dirk Ahner, integrate the places where people live, to better before MORO, however, it was not sufficiently Director General for Regional Cooperation is important not only for use the regions’ local resources and in this way clear how they would specifically benefit from Policy at the European metropolitan regions and their surroundings, to contribute to cultural, social, ecological, and Commission until late 2011 it. The research project has indeed made a for urban networks and economic projects; difference in that respect. economic sustainability. there are many examples from daily life illustrating how essential cooperation is for How does the European Commission see the MORO pilot projects have made invisible citizens. Two cities are located across from relations visible. They have worked out new “It fits into the role of urban-rural partnerships? each other at the Finnish-Swedish border: fields of cooperation by themselves. They have From our point of view the whole idea has Haparanda in Sweden and Tornio in Finland. shown that areas that did not know much debate at the a strong link to our new aim of territorial Letters from Haparanda to Tornio were first sent about each other at the outset can develop an cohesion. In the context of the research project, to Stockholm and then on to Helsinki before understanding for mutual problems and for European level” cooperation was established beyond traditional arriving in Tornio. The two mayors got together their solutions. As intended by the Territorial and political administrative borders, and in and developed a ‘postal service’ themselves so Agenda of the European Union, they have some cases, e.g., MORO Nord, even across that letters going from Haparanda to Tornio and vice versa do not need to take a long detour. succeeded in enhancing economic and social MORO’s supra-regional national borders. For the EU’s cohesion policy to cohesion. Supra-regional partnerships have partnerships research project develop, it is very important to think in terms of larger functional regions. helped to reduce territorial inequalities, to illustrates the importance of Will the lessons learnt from the research promote fair opportunities, and in the long project be taken into consideration for future Can supra-regional partnerships contribute to term to translate diversity into prosperity, the cooperating across regional and EU plans? aim of the European policy of cohesion. political borders. The EU will react implementing “Europe 2020”? In the programme’s next generation we Absolutely. One of the philosophies behind to it in its funding policy, says Dr wish to focus on cooperation across regional “Europe 2020” says that growth needs to borders – within a Member State and across Dirk Ahner, head of the European happen in every territory within a framework national borders. We would like to create more of joint priorities. But all of this needs to be Commission’s DG Regional Policy, awareness for the types of cooperation that implemented locally. MORO has shown how already exist in Germany, and to give scope to in an interview he gave in the important cooperation within a country the Member States and regions to receive EU is among regions and municipalities. We summer of 2011. funds for financing these types of cooperation. understand we need to provide stronger We are even thinking of setting up special incentives for enabling cooperations among incentives. At the moment we are working on You attended the concluding event of the Member States across regional borders. funding partnerships like these through our MORO research project 2010 in Hamburg. What existing instruments such as the Fund for Rural did you take home from it for your work in What could these incentives be? Development as well as Regional and Social Brussels? Cooperations often fail to be established Funds. That the issue of urban-rural partnerships has because the authorities in charge do not wish gained significance and that complementariness money from their programmes to flow into is much more emphasised than it used to be. other regions. We as the Commission intend to push harder for this reluctance to be overcome, 14 15

Lessons learnt from the pilot projects At the same time they are developing a feeling Metropolitan Region Stuttgart, for example, of co-responsibility for the entire region. developed a concept for transport connections The power of cooperating and structurally weak regions to develop and not only to the region immediately around complement each other. The pilot project If cities and their surrounding areas, major Supra-regional partnerships did not take long it, but also towards centres further away. The thereby made a valuable contribution towards cities and rural areas work together, both to develop a new understanding of urban- cooperation’s success was primarily due to all the goal of spatial policy in general, i.e., sides win. The “Supra-regional partnerships rural partnerships. They quickly developed a sub-regions being able to incorporate their promoting growth and innovation. – Innovative Projects for City-Regional culture of cooperation between major cities interests transparently and on an equal footing. Cooperation, Networking and Joint and rural sub-regions and generated benefits No one knows what they are capable of Responsibility” pilot project has shown in an for all partners. The cooperations neither One particular attribute of supra-regional until they try impressive way that growth and innovation aggravated existing competition in the region partnerships is the cooperation among players can be promoted by urban-rural cooperation. People were, of course, sceptical as to whether nor established new competition. Through not only from the field of politics, but also from Even the supposedly weaker partner may have cooperations in such a large framework would their wide-area approach they were able to civil society. In the Nuremberg Metropolitan strengths that everyone can benefit from. work at all and whether manageable structures contribute to solutions not only appropriate as Region, for example, 400 representatives would be found for them. Weak regions were far as their contents were concerned, but also from politics, businesses, culture, tourism, The image of economically stronger cities concerned that metropolitan regions would apt to the level in question. They also increased academia, and marketing worked together in its on the one side and an economically weak dominate; strong regions were afraid they the players’ scope for action and influence. administrative bodies. People who had known rural area on the other, offering, however, would have to give to weaker ones, thus losing nothing about each other created stable and good housing and leisure quality, has become their own momentum. Universities in northern A vision becomes reality resilient networks. Where there had been only obsolete. These days it is all about mutual Germany, for instance, feared that cooperation fragments of random knowledge about existing For nearly three years seven pilot regions tested benefits. “The division of labour: you keep the would erode their independence. It was competences, MORO brought all of it together in concepts and projects of joint responsibility. natural environment clean so that we can come naturally easier to develop and implement a systematic approach. They developed an understanding of each to you and relax at the weekends while work ideas where cooperation already had some other’s needs and problems. They overcame life happens in the city no longer corresponds tradition than in partnerships getting together The business sector enthusiastically cooperated barriers in their minds, revised biased opinion, to reality”, says Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor Ulrich for the first time. in all pilot regions and a range of projects. In and enhanced how they worked together. At the Maly in an interview. some projects, they were even the driving force, end of the project, all the regions participating MORO’s results have convincingly refuted for example in the “Brückenschlag” (building in MORO declared their supra-regional The Lord Mayor of Nuremberg is describing one sceptics and doubters. The idea of creating bridges) project. This project is intended to help cooperation a success and expressed interest in of the major findings of the “Supra-Regional win-win situations for everyone caught on: the metropolitan region of Hamburg grow closer continuing the work they started. Partnerships – Innovative Projects for City- identifying strengths and using them to together with the Oresund region including Regional Cooperation, Networking and Joint mutual benefit – supra-regional partnerships Copenhagen in Denmark, and Malmo and Lund This was also due to the fact that specific projects Responsibility” pilot project. The aim is to have shown in myriad ways how forward- in Sweden. Such a joint development of regional were already implemented during MORO’s establish win-win situations for everyone. looking such an approach is. Despite all their economic and innovation potential as in this relatively short lifetime. Be it a better marketing differences in terms of structure and economic case is at the core of the cooperation. MORO has for local produce, linking businesses and up- The pilot project was part of the MORO action strength, the regions have illustrated how promoted a new partnership in the regional and-coming skilled manpower, or expanding programme and was supported by the Federal by cooperating as partners all sub-regions development policy. day care facilities – while the project was still Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban can contribute, especially to growth and running, all pilot regions carried out projects Development from 2008 to 2010. innovation. Economically strong regions but Preconditions for success contributing to growth and innovation which also weaker ones were successfully empowered would hardly have been possible otherwise. Supra-regional partnerships are long-term Seven regions in different parts of Germany to identify and pool their own potential, and to The opposition between city and countryside, ‘strategic networks’ of urban (metropolitan) worked out blueprints for a spatial policy establish a network. ‘Stronger’ sub-regions can between rural and metropolitan regions and rural areas. Depending on the cooperation aiming to help cities, metropolitan regions thus even better fulfil their role as mentors. and rural growth regions as well as peripheral was convincingly overcome. The European model selected and existing structures, the 16 Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 17

networks’ organisation enables its members to be capable to cooperate with partners from greater or lesser leeway. At the same time, outside their cooperation scope as well. Important lessons learnt in an overview: What does ‘variable geometry’ mean? the cooperation partners commit to shared • In view of the intense efforts strategic goals. For these cooperations to Enabling a ‘variable geometry’: Supra- required especially at the Undoubtedly, supra-regional partnerships succeed the following basic preconditions must regional partnerships cannot cover every beginning, it is indispensable cannot cover every subject in the entire be taken into consideration: subject to the same extent in the entire region. that the cooperation have the full region to the same extent. The large area They need to act as platforms for various support of the political leadership in covered by the partnerships and the Emphasising the benefit:Supra-regional project-related partnerships within the region. the regions. great number of existing socio-economic partnerships are intended to cooperatively The great number of existing socio-economic • The guiding principle of the MORO networks provides many points of contact overcome the urban-rural divide. In addition networks provides many points of contact for research programme, i.e., to for cooperating with a variety of partners. to ‘responsibility’ for the entire region and its cooperating with a variety of partners. The equip the regional players with a The principle of a ‘variable geometry’ has neighbours, benefits to be expected for one’s principle of a ‘variable geometry’ has proved great deal of freedom, has proved proven helpful in the context of the pilot own sub-region are the main issue. These helpful in the context of the pilot project for valuable. This was true when setting project for making use of these connecting benefits can consist of additional development making use of these connecting factors as up the framework, for developing factors as needed. There are two different momentum or avoiding the disadvantage needed. The variable geometry consists of two the organisational structure and goals to be differentiated in this context: of being located in an isolated spot between dimensions: defining major fields of action. strong cooperating regions. 1. Supra-regional partnerships are an • Without the impetus given by 1. within the cooperation area for excellent platform (for initiating, federal level of spatial planning, Being specific: The ambition to focus the partnerships defined either by their organising, providing services) for without start-up funding, and cooperation on specific projects right from the subject matter or the region they cover, partnerships defined by the subject without an organised exchange outset is crucial for its success. This helps to 2. beyond the cooperation area for or region they cover within the entire of know-how, a comparable partnerships with an international region = intra-regional variable geometry. innovation effort would hardly have • push overly long discussions about dimension in terms of a supra-regional 2. Supra-regional partnerships are been possible. theories into the background, variable geometry. ideally suited for practising specific • The project’s very short duration was a • open up cooperation opportunities for all cooperations with other partners problem. A stabilisation would make partners, and above all Balancing interests: Supra-regional beyond their defined cooperation areas, it possible to state reliably whether the • to have tangible proof of specific benefits partnerships are expected to fulfil a variety of e.g., with an international/’global’ concept is viable in the long term, but of the cooperation at an early stage. needs. Not every partner can benefit from them dimension = supra-regional variable would require more time. at the same time and to a similar degree. geometry. • The approach is perfectly suited to Establishing a management system: prepare the regions for much closer Supra-regional partnerships require highly This is why supra-regional partnerships require According to this definition, the principle European cooperation. capable network management and resilient all the stakeholders, especially the network of variable geometry is of particular geographical demarcations so that they can management, to expend considerable and significance for specific project-related develop an identity and be perceived. continuous integration efforts. Without this the cooperations within supra-regional latent threats to leave the project that always partnerships. However, a clear spatial Allowing flexibility:Every pilot region has accompany the development of a network demarcation of the cooperation area or significantly expanded the scope of its previous would bring about a quick end. ‘strategic area’ remains an indispensable regional cooperations and integrated different element for the partnership’s identity. existing ‘regions’. These partnerships are now gaining additional significance in view of the necessity to work together across national borders. For certain specific topics they need 18 Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 19

“It is about mutual benefits.” Urban-rural partnerships as an umbrella organisationUrban-rural for partnershipsvarious project as anpartnerships on the umbrella organisation for various project partnerships on the basis of basisa of variable a variable geometry geometry

The Nuremberg Metropolitan Region esta- blished its principles for cooperation in the Bad Windsheim Declaration. What do you find to be Urban-rural partnership the key sentence of the Declaration? << self-governed region >> It is the sentence: “Equal living conditions as

several sub-regions different in structure and organisation the goal and standard for our action are at the centre of our activities”. For me this equality initiator, coordinator, moderator, consultant, conveyor of know-how, marketing is the standard for all action, although we

often hear from politicians that it is a romantic relic from the post-war era. It is true that project partnerships with project partnerships with project partnerships with partners within and beyond selected sub-regions and selected sub-regions and Nuremberg’s central railway station is not the self-governed organisation partners partners comparable to a station in the Bavarian Forest.

But if equality is the standard, then the Federal Dr Ulrich Maly, Lord Mayor of the city of Nuremberg Government and Deutsche Bahn AG need to provide the funds for developing the area. supra-regional intra-regional variable geometry variable geometry The Declaration says that describing urban and Globalised cities need to be rooted in rural areas as opposing is wrong. Why was this Figure 2: Organisational structure of urban-rural partnerships in a variable geometry (own data) their regions more than ever before, sentence included? says Ulrich Maly, Nuremberg’s Lord This opposition does not correspond to historical, Mayor, about the driving forces economic, sociological or cultural realities. behind the Nuremberg Metropolitan People are part of a region that influences their Region and working together as identities. We leave the city during our leisure time; we live in the countryside and work in the equals. city. A globalised city needs to be rooted in the region for its cultural identity. The conurbations are considered to be the central drivers for economic and social How do you deal with the different weight of development. Has this focus changed at all due the sub-regions in your partnership? to supra-regional partnerships? It is about creating a win-win situation, about If you reduce this question to their importance in mutual benefits, not about compensation. solely economic terms, the answer is no. Where Were we to talk about compensation, we would large manufacturers and service-providers are be thinking in the obsolete terms of a division located certainly creates higher added value. Having of labour between the two areas: keep the said that, the GNP cannot be the only indicator natural environment clean so that we can come with which to measure prosperity. If we include to you at the weekends to relax while work the standard of living and cultural identification as life happens in the city. We have long moved factors influencing the attractiveness of a place, then beyond this image, which dated from the 1970s. the focus has indeed shifted. 20 Lessons learnt from the pilotPaginierung projects 21

How important is it to include the business Do cooperations need special official between the rural area and the conurbation competences and requirements of rural sector in supra-regional partnerships? regulations by spatial planning authorities? of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region will areas into regional clusters, specifically the The business sector is very important for our Yes, they do. I am in favour of structured continue the partnership between 2010 and “Medical Valley” top cluster this year. We are “Original regional” (originally regional) project planning. In this case the Federal State – Bavaria 2013 with a different financial sponsor. New working on a concept for the “Via Carolina” as and in the field of energy, because nothing to be more precise – is called for rather than fields of action will be added to the MORO a trans-boundary development axis between works without having the producers on board. the Federal Government. If you allow everyone ones. Demographic change is a prime focus Nuremberg and Prague in order to reveal its As far as nature parks are concerned, it would to do as they please without any regulations, for us at the moment as it is a major challenge. economic, tourist, and cultural potential. not be that important because they are run by you will not serve the public good. Leaving Additionally, we will systematically integrate the public sector. Generally speaking, the rural- development in the hands of private interests urban divide is easier for the business sector would not give us the Germany we desire. We to deal with, because there are as many world need regulations for questions such as whether market leaders located outside city borders as a thousand square metre shopping centre within them. can be built in the countryside if that space is available and the mayor wishes to sell the real Specific, binding, and on equal terms Who are the key players in supra-regional estate. partnerships: business or politics? What role do regional cooperations play for There is no either/or. If one side feels they are the regions’ position within the Federal State, Supra-regional partnerships some cases, so that there is some experience being asked politely to take the same path, it is within Germany, and not least the EU? have a very short history. They which makes new cooperations easier. Not done smoothly. The beauty of it is that we have every region participating in the pilot project, are role models for a new type of several locomotives ultimately pulling all the It is the same as with every product. You can however, had this background. And we small trains in the same direction. sell it well if you have the right quality. If we cooperation. This pilot project has had many different players involved in the want to position ourselves as one region to the resulted in many lessons to be learnt process, not all of them were experienced in How do you make sure there is a balance outside world, we need more than a jointly that are of fundamental importance cooperation. This has made the project a true between economic and political interests? signed paper. If we can provide regional novelty in regional cooperation. work environments which credibly prove our for such cooperation. We try to establish institutions where we can intention, our voice will be heard much more meet as equal partners. There is the steering What is special about supra-regional readily. What are the benefits of cooperating? group for the entire metropolitan region in partnerships? which representatives from the business sector, Supra-regional partnerships enhance the entire What is the most important result for the Supra-regional partnerships have deliberately academia and politics jointly discuss the basic region and its sub-regions. They improve the region? extended cooperation to include rural areas principles of our work on an equal footing. The scopes of action and influence for participating that are further away from major cities. same is true for sub-projects. Our cooperation has been elevated to an overall sub-regions and their players. New This makes them different from traditional higher quality for the future. With respect opportunities arise for improving efficiency metropolitan regions. The players themselves Cooperation is often seen as a panacea. to the things we set out to do, we have made and performance, for economies of scale and have defined the geographical demarcations Realistically, what can you do to avoid significant headway in going into common synergies. There are more possibilities for the for cooperation. Supra-regional partnerships disappointment? fields of interest. sub-regions to specialise in and additional have gone beyond administrative and regional potential deriving from ‘learning from each It can never be prevented, but you need to learn borders, and in many cases even state borders. What will the next step be? other’, from dialogue and knowledge transfer. how to deal with it. It is always bad to assume that The aim is not only to focus on relations that All the pilot regions have explicitly confirmed a network is a model of harmony. Confronting The cooperation centre “Partnerschaft already exist, but rather to develop new links. these effects in their final reports and in the and resolving conflicts reasonably is crucial. Ländlicher Raum – Verdichtungsraum in der The regions in Germany already have the speeches by their political leadership during Metropolregion Nürnberg” for the cooperation advantage of a tradition of cooperation in 22 Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 23

‘Model’ – organisational structure of an urban-rural partnership MORO’s concluding session. Particular benefits What are the necessary organisational to one another by spokespersons or sponsors. 1-3 sub-regions, may include regional for national and international competition arise preconditions for supra-regional partnerships? organisations within the sub-regions They are integrated into decision-making from ‘an increase of political weight’. There processes by the council or steering committee. The organisational structure needs to are more possibilities to have a say in political 1 2 3 Secretariats are in charge of coordinating the correspond to the requirements and overall decision-making processes by participating in entire process. If the organisation is restricted conditions. This means: this partnership. Weaker sub-regions benefit to the operational level, major problems most from this aspect. An indirect/direct benefit steering body consisting of the sub- ensue even in the starting phase in view of the • the partnership is organised on at least can be seen in the possibilities of exchange regions’ political representatives complex ambitions and objectives of supra- two levels of action: a strategic level and ideas and experience, most particularly when regional partnerships. an operational/project-oriented level, strategic control, representation working together in the administrative bodies • integration into political decision- of supra-regional partnerships. Do supra-regional partnerships need making processes is ensured, secretariat permanent structures? • in view of the long-term and complex What is at the core of these cooperations? where approach inherent to supra-regional necessary Every region is striving for a stabilisation of coordination, consultancy, external Economic and knowledge-based linkages partnerships, a hierarchical organisation organisation, project management consultants for the communities of joint responsibility. Some academic are the focus. ‘Soft’ factors, however, are also of the different levels would be support institutionalisation of the cooperations is important, such as family-friendly policies, expedient, ensuring clear and binding therefore indispensable. ‘Self-organisation’ image and political weight; these are increasing responsibilities and decision-making 4 5 6 in particular cannot do without structures, in global competition. The linkages can look structures, bearing in mind that many diverse players 4-6 project partnerships funded by various very different from one region to another and • all partners must work as equals and be organisations and consisting of various need to be organised across large areas. In stakeholders cover different subjects. Different areas work involved in project activities, an independent project, the pilot project together within supra-regional partnerships • process administration or process “Großräumige Verantwortungsgemeinschaft Figure 3: ‘Model’ – organisational structure of an urban- depending on the subject matter of their management must be in place early on Norddeutschland” (northern German rural partnership (own data) cooperation. in the partnership, e.g., in the form of a community of joint responsibility) has secretariat. developed suitable structures for future What are the objectives? can initially be an ‘informal cooperation cooperations. What is necessary for a successful start? The objectives are agreement’, but it makes more sense to have a How important is a flexible organisation? During the initial phase it is beneficial to have ‘framework agreement’ addressing the various issues and dealing with the question how the • to be more competitive in global and a local project management in place. Ideally, Supra-regional partnerships can be partners can meet as equals. It would be a clear regional competition as a good location, existing organisational units and structures expanded when required, but there is a clear and transparent agreement among partners. • to use, strengthen, and expand local would be used. This can be an external office, geographically defined ‘core area’. This is why resources to achieve the above, a university, or an employee of a regional restrictions are imposed in flexibility in the Which organisational structure • to offer these resources actively for organisation. Spatial/regional planning is institutional structure. This is primarily true at has proved to be best? regional use, the central player as it is not committed to the levels of taking or adopting decisions for • to strengthen one’s position in the a single subject but promotes development The organisational structures used in the the partnerships to be able to act and work. The competition for attracting businesses, by using various instruments. It is essential partnerships project in northern Germany work level, on the other hand, can be designed • to improve living conditions as a soft that the partners have a written document and the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region have as required and flexibly. location factor. right from the outset testifying to their will to proved best practice. The structure consists of a cooperate and agree on objectives, structure, steering committee or a council/steering group What are the principles of cooperating? This is an ambitious approach, because it responsibilities and decision-making methods, at the strategic level, and fora or projects at Every pilot region was faced with the challenge depends on the commitment of regional rights and obligations, and the financial operational level. The different levels are linked of integrating different sub-regions and players who know ‘their (sub)-region’ best. resources for the partnership. The document 24 Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 25

existing cooperations and involving the How can additional benefit be generated for This potential is Innovation” as well as “Cooperation between business sector. the stakeholders? • not restricted to a very narrow and metropolitan and rural areas” – the following The following principles were helpful: The evaluations of the pilot projects have specific use by the sub-region, e.g., a fields of action play an important role: • voluntary commitment to cooperate on shown how much transparency is valued. The limited amounts of biomass for their the part of the partners stakeholders need to know what potential and own energy production or crafts for local • regional chains of value added, • equality and consensus as principles unique selling points the sub-regions have, how needs without supplier qualities • developing cluster initiatives in different • participatory financial contributions intensively these have already been integrated • promising to enhance the regional added sectors, • clear project orientation. in existing linkages, e.g., between companies, value together with other potential. • creating networks and clusters in order to and how they can be enhanced for mutual create more efficient units and synergies, What is the role of project work? benefit. The players/sub-regions need to Which fields of action are most suited to • cooperation between the business sector maximise growth and innovation effects in and academia (technology transfer), Working together on projects, wording different sub-regions? • cooperative training arrangements, objectives jointly, and reaping the successes • systematically analyse the potential, with the additional aim of securing the motivates players, making the benefits of requirements and type and structure of Generally speaking, these are all the fields potential pool of skilled workers, cooperating tangible for them. In all pilot existing functional linkages, of action in which complementary interests • instruments for balancing interests, regions specific project work was of particular • facilitate joint learning processes and can be generated. This makes supra-regional • transport as basic infrastructure, importance. It is at least as important for create an atmosphere of trust favourable partnerships different from other types of • regional planning (joint regional plans integrating the sub-regions and players from for joint and coordinated action, regional and intra-municipal cooperation. such as in Stuttgart), the business sector as for participating in the • develop cooperation strategies and However, a precondition for evaluating the • marketing within and beyond the region, higher-level organisational structure, which linkages at the different levels of action situation is the agreement that fields of action in order to gain attention from politicians often sees itself as providing a platform, giving that are based on coordinating functional and projects often only cover (different) sub- at the Federal State level and to enhance impetus, and providing services for the project linkages and player-controlled networks. regions of a partnership, as defined in the acceptance for cooperating within the partnerships. variable geometry. Bearing in mind the two region. Which locally generated potential of sub- guiding principles of MORO – “Growth and How are the subjects of the cooperation regions can be tapped better or exclusively developed? through supra-regional cooperation?

The regions have to independently prepare The locally generated regional potential Typical fields of action their subjects in a bottom-up approach in reflects the region’s capability. This includes in urban-rural partnerships dialogue with the players from the sub-regions. its population, landscape and nature, tourism, settlement and building culture, business, 4. infrastructure of public The top-down part is to analyse the sub-regions, 1. sector-specific social services economic tradition and identity as starting cluster initiatives (e.g. family-friendliness) their capabilities and deficits so that there is governance structure as evidence for why the subjects are useful. This points, for example for marketing regional coordinator and initiator is the basis for subsequent steps of bundling products. The endogenous potential is the the potential. This can only work if there is ‘dowry’ of community action with other 2. network of business sub-regions and enables much scope for sectors/academic institutions 5. cooperative training awareness of what the shared problems and (technology transfer) arrangements potentials are. Almost every pilot region placed regional creativity. It is necessary to promote SWOT analysis in sub-regions, endogenous potential in view of synergies that analyses of cluster potential, emphasis on analysing the potential in the academic institutions, different fields of action. could be created with other sub-regions. The 3. regional chains regional marketing, coordinated regional planning, instruments for 6. development of the cultural sky is the limit for creativity. of value added landscape (as a factor for a (e.g. food production) balancing interests location’s attractiveness)

Figure 4: Typical fields of action in urban-rural partnerships (own data) 26 Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 27

Project example Project example Interlinking business and academia in the Results Clusters in the rural areas of the Results Central German Metropolitan Region Nuremberg Metropolitan Region In the course of the sub-working group’s The “Energie und Umwelt” (energy and work on business and academia, the the environment) project took initial steps Objectives most viable areas of competence were Objectives towards setting up a network of energy The Metropolitan Region and its partners identified for the Metropolitan Region. The strengths of the rural areas in the technology centres. The renewable have vast competences in business They include vital technologies for the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region lie energies network Western Central and academia. They are not, however, future but also a number of economic in the automotive industry, the energy Franconia, for example, was integrated organised in a supra-regional way or development cores in the Metropolitan sector and new materials. Competences into the network as was the ATZ described on a joint platform. This Region: in energy-related and environmental development centre Sulzbach-Rosenberg means that competences and synergies issues are especially strong in the and its knowledge. Energy agencies work are going to waste. At the same time, 1. Energy-related and environmental immediate surroundings of the city. Some together in the Nuremberg Metropolitan potential investors and skilled workers technologies, rural districts, too, hold competences that Region, in fields such as providing from outside the Metropolitan Region 2. Mechanical and plant engineering, may be of interest to other parts of the information to citizens, and municipal underestimate its potential. Information 3. Automotive industry, project region, but are as yet unknown. energy management, i.e., sustainably systems that exist in the sub-regions vary 4. Micro-electronics/IT. The aims of the MORO project were the managing the municipality’s property. greatly in terms of contents they cover following: The two large independent agencies in and the technology they use. The MORO A web page was established for the region, providing advice on energy project aims to: presenting these fields of competence • to establish a closer-knit network efficiency, ENERGIEregion Nürnberg and online. You can find it at www.region- which makes use of specialisations, Energieagentur Oberfranken, are now • collect information about economic mitteldeutschland.com. Its target groups supports exemplary action, and working together closely. and scientific competences and are interested citizens, but also experts, secures efficiency benefits through to communicate them within the companies and skilled workers. cooperation, region as well as beyond, and to • to further develop the energy and create a more effective network, automotive clusters, • discuss and develop technical • to support the exchange of solutions for collecting, filtering, experiences and strengthen pooling and updating existing data, networking for best practice • identify regional core competences solutions in energy technology to that are competitive at the become more widely used, international level to create a critical • to improve linkages between mass and a network, institutions with similar functions, • develop an overall concept for a web- e.g., energy agencies, energy based description of competences consultants, or contact centres for in companies, universities, research private households. This reduces institutes and the like, including red tape and the costs for public solutions for the technology to be relations work, increases work used. efficiency, and creates more public attention. 28 Lessons learnt from the pilot projects 29

How can spatial planning policies support infrastructure or their scope reaches beyond conflict management, communication and benefits. This constitutes a major challenge supra-regional partnerships? the region, they have a general interest in being reporting methods. All these points are put for supra-regional partnerships. If such Supra-regional partnerships should be taken included in regional policy issues. It is vital to together in a framework agreement. preconditions cannot be fulfilled or established into consideration at the stage of drafting a be able to offer them actual participation in at the operational level, i.e., the project-based 3. Taking stock regional development and regional planning decision-making process and projects. Good level, they can mean the death of a project. In responses are likely when the cooperation the case of core projects, a failure can pose a policy. This would ensure that the higher-level All the potential relevant for the project work is about regional clusters, technology plans support cooperations as much as possible. is analysed in depth. This is essential under the considerable threat to the entire partnership. transfer or chains of value added, or focuses Coordination is an important aspect so that overarching goal of “Growth and Innovation” to on mitigating the increasing lack of skilled official provisions do not confront partnerships mobilise the available scientific and economic What type of marketing do supra-regional workers by establishing cooperative training across regional or national borders with potential necessary for creating clusters. To partnerships need? and qualification. Transparency is important, conflicting objectives. date, knowledge about these potentials has so that everyone involved is informed at the A partnership requires marketing within the been surprisingly meagre – at least in large-scale outset about the cooperation’s objectives region and beyond when it comes to explaining Which players need to be on board? frameworks. and expected benefits. A company will not the idea, objectives and contents behind it. Supra-regional partnerships aim to generate Internal marketing is necessary to ensure that realistically commit to something when it 4. Implementation growth and innovation through specific cannot expect a financial gain. the players and stakeholders’ identification with projects. For each project private sector This is when the ‘day-to-day work’, the actual the partnership is maintained and strengthened. players, such as representatives of companies How can the phases of developing supra- project work, starts. External marketing is necessary in order to be or the tourism industry, need to be included regional partnerships be differentiated and able to generate projects and to strengthen in the partnerships as well as involving what do they look like? How can the willingness to cooperate on the the partnership as an ‘instrument’. This means representatives from the public administration part of individual regional players in supra- that each marketing effort has to be aware of offices. A strong commitment by the business The ‘development phases’ outlined below need regional partnerships be enhanced? the different target groups to address and of sector is vital for the cooperation’s success. to be understood as a process in which phases the different contents and messages to convey. The players’ willingness to cooperate is inevitably This will not take away the public sector’s can overlap, or individual steps may be carried The pilot projects offer a host of good examples influenced by their personal opinions. This is why undisputed role in steering the process. The out in parallel. Results may become adapted or for targeted marketing, e.g., web pages and we need to reach out to the players and ‘meet fact that there is usually no institutionalised improved a posteriori in specifications/updates. regional campaigns. them where they are’. If this is neglected, conflicts political framework for such partnerships lends 1. Launch phase: may ensue and have negative repercussions on weight to having the (political) administrative What is the role of state-level or sub-region- the partners’ willingness to cooperate or even the leaders of the sub-regions on board. The Before supra-regional partnerships are level regional planning? projects’ results and decisions taken at project cooperation overall. The following points need to founded/constituted, they are usually preceded Generally speaking, all cooperations should level will thus receive firm political support. A taken into special consideration: by an initial phase during which the spatial be supported by committed sub-regional public participation as part of a comprehensive demarcations, objectives and expectations of all • communication problems, and state-level planning policies. Whether regional governance was not included in the potential partners are specified; strategies are • insufficient information, state-level regional planning should play an pilot regions. developed; strengths and weaknesses identified • lack of transparency. additional role within the communities of joint and evaluated; and necessary actions defined. responsibility is a question which needs to be How can companies be attracted to join? How important are the players’ individual answered depending on the individual case. It Companies think primarily in terms of their 2. Organisational structure, constitution interests? is undoubtedly useful, but not an imperative own financial benefit when it comes to the if there is no established ‘playmaker’ at the decisions and commitments they make. A decision is taken on the organisational The players’ willingness to cooperate stands outset, e.g., a well-organised metropolitan Whether companies that are deeply rooted structure and the ‘rules of the game’. These or falls by the possibility they are given to region. in a region depend on the region’s image and include: cooperation as equal partners, implement their own interests or expected definitions of processes, responsibilities, 30 31

The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, But there is no alternative to having the What do trans-boundary supra-regional participation of sub-regional planning since partnerships require specifically? organisation, projects communities of joint responsibility actively influence the development of the sub-regions. Supra-regional partnerships across national borders are the subject matter of an The representatives from regional planning independent MORO. A few special aspects are authorities are the most important expert the following: voices of the sub-regions during the decision- making processes within the communities of • There is hardly any supra-regional joint responsibility. partnership without cooperation RegionalregionalRegionalregional partnership partnership across national borders. However, northern northern Germany/Hamburg Germany/Hamburg Metropolitan Metropolitan Region Region How can sectoral policies support supra- the trans-boundary cooperation and regional partnerships? its organisation are usually not the partnership’s main objective or content. A supra-regional partnership can be strong in Instead, trans-boundary cooperation is CooperationCooperation and networkingand networking in the in north-east the north-east cross-departmental and cross-sectoral issues included when it makes sense in the sub- provided that everyone involved wants and region or project. accepts it. This is why relevant departments • Trans-boundary cooperations are need to be given the opportunity to participate generally confronted with particular in wording the supra-regional partnership’s challenges. The varying degree of strategic objectives. Additionally, relevant experiences in cooperating and the administrations need to be able to influence different spatial structures along the CentralCentral German German the supra-regional partnership’s agenda. German border require region-specific MetropolitanMetropolitan Region Region Political institutions must then adopt solutions. An efficient cooperation and process these objectives and make requires support from the Federal knowledge/cooperation/knowledge/cooperation/ them part of their strategies. If that is the Government, the Länder, and the EU. innovationinnovation Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Frankfurt/Rhine-Main - Central- Central Hesse Hesse - Rhine- - Rhine- case, the departments and supra-regional Neckar-Neckar- West West Palatinate Palatinate partnerships can support each other. Secure NurembergNuremberg Metro- Metro- funding reaching beyond the launch phase is politanpolitan Region Region indispensable for supra-regional partnerships so that the institutional framework is EuropeanEuropean maintained and project work can be carried MetropolitanMetropolitan Region Region StuttgarttStuttgartStuttgarttStuttgart out.

EuropeanEuropean Integrated Integrated Area AreaLake Lake ConstanceConstance © BBR Bonn 2007 © BBR Bonn 2007

km100 km100

Figure 5: Map of the pilot regions 32 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 33

Regional partnership in northern Germany / Hamburg Metropolitan Region (MORO Nord)

sub-regions as well as the entire region. The of the steering committee assisting it as a link to Hamburg Metropolitan Region hoped to the steering committee. gain increased visibility at the European and global levels. Areas further away from the The projects and their results centre expected project-related cooperation Sub-project and enhanced relations with the Hamburg Qualified northern Germany – Metropolitan Region. Lack of skilled workers and technology qualifications How the cooperation was organised Objectives The partnership evolved from the application to take part in the research project “supra- There is an increasing lack of engineers regional partnerships”, but it was also a and natural scientists. “Qualifiziertes continuation and summary of existing, to Norddeutschland” (qualified northern some extent bilateral or project-related Germany) aimed to offer attractive The business sector, politics, relations. Its central steering body was the qualifications for graduates of grammar schools The pilot region at a glance administration and academia from steering committee where all relevant partners in northern Germany, and to recruit skilled were represented. It was supported by the population (m.) 6,7 four Federal States are acting in people to work where they are needed in the secretariat of the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry concert – for growth and innovation region. The cooperation between schools and total area (km²) 39 676 of the Interior and the project management of vocational training institutions and the business Hamburg, Mecklenburg- in northern Germany. The idea has HafenCity Hamburg University. Project leaders sector was to be enhanced, self-employment Western Pomerania, been anchored in the minds of the were in charge of implementing the individual initiatives encouraged, and the creative participating Lower Saxony, sub-projects. Every sub-project had a member Länder Schleswig-Holstein people in the regions through a potential of northern Germany promoted.

number of rural districts multitude of projects. and county boroughs (including Hamburg) 32 The partnership included the Free and Hanseatic

international partner South Denmark City of Hamburg, six districts in Schleswig- Holstein and eight rural districts in Lower number of municipalities (including county Saxony (Hamburg Metropolitan Region). In boroughs and Hamburg) 1 821 Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck and the Schleswig population figures as of 2010 part of Schleswig-Holstein was included; in Mecklenburg it was West Mecklenburg and Central Mecklenburg/Rostock. The south of Denmark is an additional partner.

The partnership’s range of subjects and objectives

The MORO Nord partnership was characterised by the wide range of subjects it covers. The original aim was to better integrate the sub- regions and improve cooperation in the Figure 6: MORO Nord – Regional partnership northern Germany / Hamburg Metropolitan Region (Secretariat MORO Nord) 34 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 35

Results identified opportunities in tourism, serving day- and representatives from academia met to get an attractive location for trade and industry The concept of a Science Summer School was trippers, attracting enterprises, and designating to know each other and develop joint activities and to improve its competitiveness in the in the future. The project partners expressed developed as a means to attract young learners’ land for business and industrial development. international competition among regions. their general willingness to continue the interest in technology and science and to offer A fixed link across the Fehmarn Belt would also cooperation after the MORO Nord project was them the possibility to have their questions induce the development of a northern European completed. Results answered. It was successfully implemented meta-region. At a conference in June 2009 in in Itzehoe. In the meantime a network has Lübeck this point was discussed with partners A competition among advertising agencies Sub-project been established between companies and from the Baltic Sea region within the framework resulted in the creation of a logo which all the From the region for the region training institutions. A network of start-up of a workshop. The “Lübeck Declaration” was Länder in northern Germany were allowed to adopted. It states the willingness of the five companies, young entrepreneurs and start-up Objectives use free of charge. Shared activities, events and centres facilitated a regular exchange entitled STRING regions – Schleswig- Holstein, Hamburg, exhibition booths at national and international “Start up and get together – Norddeutscher Zealand (Denmark), the capital city region Based on regional marketing strategies, the trade fairs are intended to display it as a sign of Gründerdialog“ (start-up and get together – a Copenhagen (Denmark) and Skåne/Schonen project aimed to improve the marketing of their link. The Länder of Northern Germany and northern German dialogue among start-up (Sweden) – to cooperate in, for instance, the regional products and thus to support regional several institutions have already expressed their companies). fields of infrastructure, tourism, and the labour chains of value added. interest to use this logo. It was already used in market. the context of the “Nacht des Wissens” (night of Results Sub-project science) in Hamburg in November 2009. Sub-project Building bridges: development corridor Networks were established between core Life sciences Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link partners from the fields of agriculture, retailers, Additional sub-projects restaurants and caterers, and wholesalers. The Objectives Objectives • Campus Nord – cooperation among urban-rural dialogue, economic relations in universities How can companies and research institute A new bridge between the island of Fehmarn northern Germany, and the development of • Maritime economy work together more closely in life sciences/ regional chains of value added were intensified. (Germany) and Lolland (Denmark) offers • Supra-regional logistics platform biotechnology? The joint “Norgenta” cluster Agreement was reached with regard to opportunities and development potential for • KulturLand Norddeutschland (cultural management comprising players in Hamburg establishing networks of producers, processors the metropolitan region and its surrounding space northern Germany) and Schleswig-Holstein was the starting point. and traders in regional products; analysing regions. A conurbation consisting of Hamburg • Getting closer together – Linking rural The life sciences project was to incorporate possibilities for food retailers to cooperate and Oresund growing more closely together areas to the centres additional initiatives and players from the (EDEKA Nord, regional retailers); establishing would have an international standing and • Taking a stand – Rural areas in the partnership in the wider region. a network of restaurant and caterers which be more visible at the global level. The supra-regional partnership use regional produce, and the “Bauernmarkt” “Brückenschlag” (building bridges) project was • Networking in the food production (farmers’ market) pilot project. Contacts were planned to help the Hamburg Metropolitan Results established to other MORO regions in Germany. industry of the partnership region Region to grow together with Lübeck and its The aim to achieve closer cooperation was • Belt Food – Networking in the food surroundings as well as the Oresund region. successfully reached: existing platforms, Sub-project production industry of the partnership especially the ones related to marketing, can Unmistakable – Northern Germany region Results now be used jointly and thus more effectively. in the competition among regions • The North’s Future in Crafts There was progress in jointly organising Under the chairmanship of East Holstein, the • Partnerships along regional international trade fairs. Focal points in health Objectives districts along the A1 motorway, the Hanseatic development axes management were defined, one of which is City of Lübeck, and Lübeck’s Chamber of industrial biotechnology. This was done in a The “Unverwechselbar” (unmistakable) project Industry and Commerce worked together to series of events attended by representatives aimed to develop joint marketing strategies and develop a “Regionales Entwicklungskonzept/ from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, implement pilot projects in order to increase REK” (regional development concept). They Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. Companies the outward visibility of northern Germany as 36 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 37

“Rooting diversity regionally”

You had 14 different projects and project Highlight Crossing the belt is important not only partnerships, more than any other pilot region. Partnership and building bridges for linking up with the Oresund region, How did this happen? but also for establishing a connection MORO Nord kicked off a sustainable Bearing in mind the size of the cooperation leading up to Stockholm and the entire cooperation network in northern area, we wished to carry out different projects northern European region. Before the Germany. During its lifetime new and in order to root the cooperation in the region. MORO process was initiated, the region durable partnership relations were Schleswig-Holstein consists of areas that are along the Fehmarn Belt had not been established in projects and at the Länder less developed and at the peripheries, but also equipped as the large cooperation space level. These new structures include the other areas forming an economically strong it will become in the future. Ernst Hansen: regional players as well as the business ring around the metropolitan region. We “For the first time a shared approach for sector. “We were able to create very close intended to use the MORO project to find new developing this meta-region became personal contacts with players within and answers to the question: what can we, the Land necessary. It will define which transport from outside the metropolitan region in government do to prevent the divide from connections are necessary and how the a way that did not exist before and will widening? be continued even now that the project potential for additional momentum can be tapped.” Ernst Hansen, chairman of the MORO has been completed. This was an intrinsic MORO Nord extends to parts of Mecklenburg- Nord steering committee until MORO success of the MORO process”, says Ernst Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony. Did that The environment of trust and cooperation 2010 was concluded Hansen, chairman of the MORO Nord make the process more complicated? steering committee. All this has paved the in the MORO process has helped to way for the new “Projekt-Partnerschaft partially overcome the opposition in A wide range of projects – this Including Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg- Nord“ (project partnership Nord) – an Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the hallmark of the northern Western Pomerania was an absolutely institutionalised network to succeed the to a bridge across the Fehmarn Belt. Germany/Hamburg Metropolitan necessary part of the project in view of creating MORO project. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s cooperation across a large space. It was not position is now characterised by Region partnership. Ernst Hansen, always easy to coordinate this great number chairman of the MORO Nord These good partnership relations pragmatism rather than opposition. of players, but we also gained a lot of new are the basis of another MORO Nord Ernst Hansen: “Even if they do not ‘love’ steering committee, talks about momentum for the rural areas. highlight: the “Brückenschlag: the fixed link, they will try and define the reasons for this diversity and the Entwicklungskorridor the benefits it offers for Mecklenburg”. opportunities it entails. How were these many projects, these many Fehmarnbeltquerung” (building bridges: Following the close cooperation ideas developed? during the MORO project the district of development corridor Fehmarn Belt Not by sitting around a round table! We Ludwigslust and the county boroughs Fixed Link) project. It is a key project collected ideas in many large-scale workshops of Lübeck and Neumünster applied for the region of Lübeck/Hansebelt and and gradually turned them into complete for membership in the Hamburg was developed in a process in which the projects. The impetus provided by the regional Metropolitan Region. The Metropolitan municipal level and the business sector players, e.g., the business sector in particular, Region was duly extended in 2012. were both heavily involved. were tremendously important. The special thing was that MORO Nord had mayors, district commissioners, business representatives, and representative from the Land governments working together across hierarchical levels. 38 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 39

How did you manage to mobilise Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the The universities proved to be difficult partners. How does this integration work from all these players? north of Schleswig-Holstein was not a strong There was “opposition to overly close Hamburg’s perspective? cooperating/networking”. What was the reason Many players participated in the MORO process focus for them. They were afraid the large Very different interests come into play. for it? because they had very specific ideas about dimension of the partnership would weaken the Hamburg´s neighbouring Länder and the the cooperation. The Chambers of Industry metropolitan region. In the course of the project This project has had a difficult history. In the rural areas need to voice their interests with and Commerce and the representatives of the these concerns lost significant ground and past, several regional governments tried time sufficient commitment. business sector have played a special role. The the opportunities offered by the larger MORO and again to have universities work more “Fehmarn Belt-building bridges” projects and approach became more and more apparent. closely together to achieve savings. Against our new concept for developing a shared logo this backdrop the universities had their are examples of the industry’s commitment. A Was your aim to convince the Hamburg doubts about an approach to institutionalise shared logo as an umbrella brand name for the Metropolitan Region about MORO successful? cooperation in the sub-project “Campus Nord”. whole of northern Germany was requested. In Yes, it was. Issues such as food production and The time does not yet seem to have come for addition to other brand names, e.g., Hamburg, knowledge and technology transfer are cases in establishing a cooperative system of universities it can be used as a link during trade fairs, in point. The existing potential has become clear, in northern Germany. This does not mean that brochures and events. not least in the shape of the very successful we should not strive to make northern Germany regional conference of MORO Nord and the more competitive as a university location Do you also recognise some deficits Hamburg Metropolitan Region on knowledge within the region and beyond. However, in the cooperation? transfer in December 2010 and some projects Campus Nord was successful in making it possible to develop shared university marketing We would have liked the municipalities to on cluster cooperation in the food production and in agreeing to harmonise the different cooperate more closely and get involved more industry. university databases over the long term. intensely. We will focus on integrating this level What has changed for the areas more in the future. further away from Hamburg? What importance do you attach to integrating Figure 7: Logo of the umbrella brand name the rural areas? “Norddeutschland” (Secretariat MORO Nord) The Hamburg Metropolitan Region is strong A comprehensive study on “Ländliche anyway. Has it nonetheless benefited from Räume in der großräumigen Partnerschaft – An urban-rural cooperation is only as successful MORO Nord? Entwicklungspotenziale in Norddeutschland“ as its integration of the rural areas. In our follow-up project, the “Projekt-Partnerschaft At the beginning the representatives of the city (rural areas in urban-rural partnerships – Nord”, we intend to have local authorities much of Hamburg were sceptical. They already had development potentials in northern Germany) more integrated into the cooperation, and to their administrative bodies, funds and projects has been highly useful for recognising the pursue an approach based on broad acceptance for the metropolitan region in place. Receiving strengths and resources available in the rural in the municipality. support for new cooperation approaches with areas and identifying subjects for future cooperation. 40 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 41

Cooperation and networking in the north-east

infrastructure, transport and logistics were the work. The decisions for the project were taken central theme of the projects. The partnership by the steering committee, consisting of the aims to create the best possible network for the chairpersons of the five modules/sub-projects. strengths and potentials of the sub-regions so Twice a year all the partners got together for that they can fuel the economic development of regular meetings to discuss project results and the entire region. plan the project phases.

How the cooperation was organised The projects and their results

More than twenty institutions cooperated in the Sub-project MORO project: the spatial planning authorities Creating more economic links - of Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg- cooperation in the entire region Western Pomerania; the Ministries of the Economy and economic investment Objectives The cooperation extends from the corporations of the Länder; the Chambers • Improving networks among existing The pilot region at a glance Baltic Sea ports in Mecklenburg- of Industry and Commerce; rural districts; sector-related market places for Population (m.) municipalities; and the port management cooperations and networks in four Berlin 3,4 Western Pomerania to Berlin to the companies of Rostock and Sassnitz. Numerous Brandenburg 2,5 south of Brandenburg. It aims to sectors: energy industry; mechanical Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 1,6 sector-based networks, businesses and engineering and metal processing; food total area (km²) create a strong European region. The academic institutions were also taken on production industry; and logistics, Berlin 892 economy and the transport sector board on a case-by-case basis. In addition to • disseminating information about these Brandenburg 29 479 the five modules and sub-projects, specific Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 23 180 are especially important. offers, task forces were set up. They worked together Berlin, Brandenburg, • conducting surveys about the need closely and presented the results of their shared Mecklenburg- The partnership consists of the Länder Berlin, Concept: Growth and Innovation for research and development the participating Länder Western Pomerania Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Metropolitancompanies Region cannot do themselves. Central Mecklenburg, Cores of the Capital Region and of existing Pomerania. It includes the capital city region EuropeanIdentifying Metropolitan Regions complementary competences Rostock, Western- Other cities with Metropolitan Functions Pomerania, Mecklenburg Berlin-Brandenburg, additional areas fulfilling at research and development institutions. Lake District, Prignitz- the functions of a metropolitan region, but also Metropolitan Region partner regions Upper Havel rural areas, structurally weak areas with a rapidly ResultsAreas of influence including rural areas number of rural districts and Transition region between Metropolitan declining population, and areas connecting them Regions county boroughs 16 A survey among experts revealed that to other metropolitan conurbations. Szczecin Metropolitan Growthcooperative regions outside relations Metropolitan between Regions networks and international partner Region companies in the three Länder existed in only The partnership’s range of subjects few fields. There was, however, widespread number of partner cities 13 and objectives Stabilisationinterest areas in such cooperative relations. The region has enormous potential as a logistics Insufficient information about existing hub between the German Baltic Sea ports and activities and structures of the neighbouring Spatial structure the capital city region Berlin-Brandenburg. It Länder – with the exception of Berlin and Central area of high density additionally contributes to raising the profile Brandenburg - was mentioned as a significant Dense intermediate area of the Central European corridor between the impediment to establishing cooperations. Baltic and the Adriatic Seas. This is why topics Figure 8: Cooperation region in the north-east Better information and communication proved such as the economy and the labour market, (Joint Regional Planning Authority Berlin-Brandenburg) to be the ‘key’ to intensifying cooperation. © BBR Bonn 2006

100 km The map is illustrating the concept. However, the signature do not stand for determined planning. 42 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 43

Sub-project to Neuschwanstein Castle in faraway Allgäu in Sub-project services in the rural area) project. But a trans- Linking regions its international marketing, Berlin could point Trans-boundary action plan – establishing a boundary cooperation needs a long-term (cooperations between regions) out the chalk cliffs of Rügen or the Emperor’s shared trans-boundary economic area for the solid financial basis to succeed. It would be Lower Oder Valley by including the Objectives Baths on Usedom. The metropolitan region and desirable for the European Union to fund these the rural-peripheral areas would both benefit. metropolitan region Szczecin approaches through its support framework. • developing the regions’ strengths and An agreement is necessary first to select a Objectives potential by sector, limited number of relevant highlights. Additional Sub-project • linking, profiling and implementing the It is a good start when the prospects and the Study “Joint responsibility area Berlin, logistics potential and the significant Sub-project potentials of a region have been identified, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western economic centres of the region, HUB 53/12° – the logistics network but this needs to be followed up by decisive Pomerania“ • securing the availability of skilled Güstrow • Prignitz • Ruppin action. The local players in the Lower Oder workers for the region’s economy. Valley agreed that it would only make sense if

Objectives they acted jointly. Mayors and senior officials Highlight Results of the thirty German and Polish municipalities • Creating a profile for the logistics hub, Cooperating as equal partners met to discuss ways to cooperate. They decided From the perspective of areas more remote securing or re-using the rail infrastructure to adopt a “trans-boundary action plan” in from the metropolitan regions, two action for freight transport, order to accelerate the region’s development The pilot region for cooperating and fields for growth and innovation were best • Supporting the establishment of rail- as the “Wirtschaftsraum Unteres Odertal” networking in the north-east is a suited for further cooperation in a large-scale related businesses, (Lower Oder Valley economic area). The MORO young one. MORO was the first type of partnership: • Working together at administrative level to develop strategies jointly and make better project’s objectives were the following: systematic cooperation ever between the Länder Berlin, Brandenburg and 1. Improving the regions’ transport connections use of synergy effects, • to find out where cooperation is possible Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This to the Berlin-Brandenburg airport, the central • Establishing the region as a ‘by-pass’ at the with other municipalities in Mecklenburg- makes MORO Nordost different from train station and the road network. These would interface between Scandinavia/Baltics and Western Pomerania and with the other pilot regions. Furthermore, Berlin is improve the access of the four partner regions Central, South and South-East Europe. metropolitan region Szczecin to create an not comparable in its economic appeal to (Central Mecklenburg/Rostock, Western economic and science centre at the Lower places like Hamburg or Stuttgart. Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Prignitz-Upper Results Oder River, Havel) to the world and offer varied possibilities During the MORO project the foundation for the • to establish future structures for securing Nonetheless, initial steps have been taken for the exchange of goods, knowledge and cooperation was set, and the brand name HUB the necessary sustainability of the to organise cooperation in an area which information. This requires the Länder Berlin, 53/12° was established in the region. Additional cooperation and for improving the region’s is, in fact, almost 500 km long in its north- Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western municipalities, the so-called clover region west image internally as well as externally. south dimension. “We found subjects Pomerania to coordinate traffic projects with of Neuruppin consisting of the municipalities relevant to the entire region which the Federal Government. of Kyritz, Neustadt (Dosse), Wusterhausen Results allow every partner to benefit from the and Gumtow, were recruited to join the cooperation”, says Frank Segebade, head 2. The four regions can benefit from the On an informal platform, trans-boundary HUB 53/12° logistics region. After a political of unit in the Berlin-Brandenburg joint major city’s hub function for the exchange cooperation between the municipalities decision was taken in the summer of 2010, the regional planning authority. of knowledge and information in terms of rail route between Neuruppin and Neustadt participating in the action plan was achieved in communication and marketing. They can the fields of trans-boundary tourism, crafts and (Dosse), which had not been any rail traffic for The strengths of the metropolitan region emphasise touristic and economically relevant trades, landscape, land use, nature conservation years, will be used again for transport freight. are complemented by those of the non- highlights and convince Berlin of their as well as culture and communication. This Logistics providers in the HUB region are using city areas in a ‘key and lock’ system, e.g., attractiveness so that Berlin can use them when cooperation was expanded to include the HUB 53/12° as a platform for presenting their in the fields of logistics, food production, advertising itself internationally as an attractive companies. “Daseinvorsorge im ländlichen Raum” (public region for trade and industry. As Munich refers 44 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 45

“There is strength in diversity.“

Are there benefits for the region after the qualification of workers, and securing Baltic Sea ports. Frank Segebade: “At the project has been concluded? their availability. beginning, this was only a vision. But soon We now need to find out where these the first freight trains will be put onto cooperative approaches can be continued or The sub-project “Logistics network the rails. Without MORO we might have new ones developed. Examples: Güstrow Prignitz Ruppin“ illustrates never gotten that far.” Other sub-projects this aspect best. Its aim is to develop a such as German-Polish cooperation will • the Baltic Sea ports as gateways to the structurally weak region into a logistics also be continued after the pilot project world in the logistics industry and freight hub between Hamburg, Berlin, and the has been completed transport, • clinics and spa located on the Baltic Sea and in land-locked areas and health management, • research potential in biotechnology • the rural area and its potential for food production and energy generation, including research, Petra Hintze, managing director, Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry • metal working and processing, and Commerce • agriculture/agricultural science and food production industry. We wish to continue the approach of cooperating and networking in What does the future hold? the north-east. An interview with The metal and energy sectors in Mecklenburg- Ms Petra Hintze, managing director, Western Pomerania and Brandenburg look Neubrandenburg Chamber of promising for a cooperation aiming to establish new markets, procedures and products. We Industry and Commerce: also see a potential for Berlin as a market for organic produce from Mecklenburg- Which is the most important result for the pilot Western Pomerania. The cooperation in the region? logistics network Güstrow/Prignitz/Ruppin Partners from the business sector cooperate if will undoubtedly be continued. A number there are specific occasions, problems or ideas of companies, chambers of industry and and objectives. Corporations think and act in commerce, associations and trade unions functional spaces, not in administrative units. have set up a north-south initiative so that This successful cooperation is the best evidence the regions along the north-south axis can for administrations’ ability to work across benefit from the expected growth potential. borders. We have found out that our strength December 2010 saw the first conference co- lies in the diversity we have in our region. hosted by the three Länder Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, during which approaches for future regional cooperation were discussed. 46 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 47

Central German Metropolitan Region (formerly called Saxon Triangle)

The partnership’s range How the cooperation was organised of subjects and objectives The working group “supra-regional The Central German Metropolitan Region is cooperation”, one of altogether five working developing very dynamically. The power of its groups in the metropolitan region, was the players and local institutions for innovations organisation in charge of coordinating the pilot is especially decisive for its growth potential. project region Central Germany. The working The work of the Central German Metropolitan group consisted of representatives from all Region is motivated by the guiding principle the central contact points of all cooperation of establishing the necessary framework partners. conditions.

Cooperation requires structures and The pilot region at a glance content: representatives from three 3,8 (in core area) 4,7 (together with partner cities) different Länder are developing a 7 (including surroundings of population (m.) partner cities) cross-border cooperation model and

Saxony, have decided to become a family- participating Länder Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia friendly region. Chemnitz, Dresden, Halle, core cities Leipzig, Zwickau The urban areas Chemnitz/Zwickau, Dresden, Dessau-Roßlau, Magdeburg, Halle/Leipzig and the rural areas between ImPuls-Region Erfurt- partner cities Weimar-Jena, Gera them make up the core of the Central German Metropolitan Region. Permanent partners for the cooperation include the “ImPuls-Region Erfurt-Weimar-Jena“ together with the city of Gera in Thuringia; the cities Dessau, Roßlau and Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt; and additional areas of a more rural nature all around the metropolitan region. The higher-order centres of Chemnitz, Dresden, Halle, Leipzig and Zwickau were responsible for the cooperation. Together with the Länder Saxony, Saxony- Anhalt and Thuringia they developed a flexible cooperation model. Figure 9: Cooperation region Central German Metropolitan Region (Secretariat Central German Metropolitan Region) 48 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 49

The projects and their results metropolitan region, and corresponds with the Results highly qualified people find soft factors Sub-project cooperation area covered by the pilot project. The discussion and consultancy process such as family-friendliness very important Successful cooperation in a polycentric Although all three levels had prior cooperation resulted in a proposal to organise the supra- when choosing where to live and work. As a metropolitan region (governance) experience, the cooperation among all them is regional partnership as a registered association multitude of best practices and approaches a major challenge for the metropolitan region. (e.V.) consisting of the representatives of the existed in the region, a decision was taken to Objectives metropolitan region – ranging from the urban further develop and communicate family- The sub-project focuses on further developing friendliness as the region’s strength. It includes The metropolitan region has two central action areas and rural districts up to the Länder. The an effective governance structure for the elements such as: levels: the urban areas of Chemnitz-Zwickau, association’s objectives and organisation were metropolitan region. It aims to establish Dresden and Halle/Leipzig and the overall defined as follows: a clearly defined division of labour at the • creating family-friendly living and metropolitan region. For some time now, some different cooperation levels and, at the same working conditions to reconcile work and projects have been carried out with a third • The association will have a members’ time, to pave the way for effectively interlacing family life, cooperation level, i.e., the Thuringian ring of meeting, a board, a steering committee the levels. Integrating peripheral areas and • establishing family-oriented human cities and the higher-order centres of Saxony- and a secretariat as its permanent bodies. areas located in between the urban areas was resources policies in companies and Anhalt. This third level also includes the rural • Working groups and projects will be particularly taken into account. organisations in the metropolitan region, districts in the surroundings of the greater established as needed. • The metropolitan region’s council, • incorporating family-friendliness aspects simultaneously serving as the members’ in municipal decision-making processes, Secretariat Board of Metropolitan Region meeting of the association, will lead • supporting local family-friendliness alliances. Member of CEO Member of appoints politically and have overall responsibility the board the board coordinates for the metropolitan region. The association’s board will be the legal Results elects Steering committee representative and general manager of A plethora of successful initiatives, measures, the region. The members will reflect the Council of the Metropolitan Dessau- and projects concerning family-friendliness Chemnitz Dresden region on a proportional basis. Region (members’ meeting) Roßlau in the cooperation area was researched and • The steering committee will be compiled in systematic lists. Service gaps Dessau- Impuls- Chemnitz Dresden appoints Gera Halle responsible for coordinating the and necessary action were identified. The Roßlau region (Jena) Central German Metropolitan Region’s research was used as a basis for developing Impuls- Leipzig Magdeburg Zwickau operations and give advice to the council. Gera Halle region(Jena) guidelines for family-friendliness in the • Based on the number of its higher-order region. In the meantime, these guidelines Free State of Saxony- Free State of centres, each urban area will delegate Leipzig Magdeburg Zwickau have become applicable in all member cities Saxony Anhalt Thuringia voting representatives to the steering advises of the metropolitan region. They deal with Free State of Saxony- Free State of chairperson chairperson chairperson committee. of the working of the working of the working reconciling of work/training and family life; Saxony Anhalt Thuringia group group group communication and participation; living Sub-project conditions and residential environment; invites Family-friendly metropolitan region education and vocational training; and also Objectives include leisure time, sports and culture. Working- Working- Working- The impact of demographic change is Metropolitan Region’s group group group... Conference increasingly showing in the economic 1 2 development of the Central German Metropolitan region. Young, creative and Figure 10: Organisational structure of the Central German Metropolitan Region (Own data / Secretariat Central German Metropolitan Region) 50 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 51

Examples: Structural fund: This approach has the adantage that it does not require direct Highlight friendliness has prepared a guidance • sustainably guaranteeing high quality monetary compensation between the partners, Family-friendliness as a factor for a region’s document which addresses the potential and quantitatively extensive and needs- which would be difficult to justify. If instead attractiveness but also the deficits of the metropolitan based child care facilities; a fund is established, the community and region as a family-friendly region. Its • reviewing municipal government all partners still benefit indirectly from the target groups are municipal decision decisions and municipal facilities for Providing good conditions for families is developments. makers, but also every other local player their family-friendliness; an important contribution to economic shaping family-friendliness. It intends to • adapting homes and residential Package solution: Every cooperation content development. The Central German draw attention to necessary action to be environments to the needs of families; and project is discussed and adopted in one Metropolitan Region has understood taken. It aims to help increase the region’s • taking into consideration the specific package. The basic idea is to generate a mass this and dedicated a sub-project to this attractiveness for families. The working needs of parents who are still enrolled at of subjects to be negotiated before deciding in issue. The decision was also influenced group is co-chaired by Jasmin Boland university; favour or against a project. This would increase by the “Family Atlas 2007” issued by the from the secretariat of the metropolitan • providing a balanced leisure and sports the possibility to create a better balance Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior region and Professor Jörg Klewer from the infrastructure for families. between benefits and obligations. In a nutshell, Citizens, Women and Youth. The atlas Zwickau West Saxon University. The latter it would be possible to offer a partner rewards shows how well work and family life can is the first representative from outside The guidelines provide guidance not only for in one project for accepting compromises in be reconciled in the region. Almost fifty the municipal administration to hold political decision-makers but also for private another. per cent of mothers having at least one such a position. As a scientist he provides landlords and housing associations and for child under three hold a regular job. The This experiment resulted in the following new impetus to the work of the working public and private education providers. percentage of working mothers is even findings: : group. It is currently conducting blanket two thirds in mothers with at least one surveys among all political leaders of the Sub-project • The representatives from the twenty- child between three and six. cities and rural districts of the Central Balancing interests in polycentric partnerships four institutions developed and adopted German Metropolitan Region. Jan a consensus-based proposal within the The Central German Metropolitan Region Objectives Opitz: “Family-friendliness in the region given time. It included all the items wishes to use this favourable starting will be better evaluated and will gain In many joint activities of the supra- required. The players earmarked funds position to further promote family- value as a subject in the municipalities’ regional partnership in the Central German for the 2014-2020 period; established friendliness in all sub-regions as a factor planning and decisions. On this basis, Metropolitan Region an imbalance in benefits the budget for the first two years of 2014 for the region’s attractiveness. Jan Opitz the guidelines for family-friendliness can and obligations can be observed among and 2015; and agreed on projects to be from the spatial planning office in Leipzig then be further developed.” the different sub-regions. This is a common implemented in the first two years. says: “The working group on family- situation in nearly all large-area cooperations, • For the cooperation to succeed, unbiased and it makes cooperation among the sub- chairmanship, a climate of trust, and regions difficult. The MORO project included clear and acceptable governance rules a pilot study on best instruments to reconcile are indispensable. different interests at the supra-regional level. • The preconditions for establishing and managing a regional structural fund Results require further discussion.

In a first step, existing examples were Additional Sub-project extensively researched. Then, a combination between a structural fund and a package Linking business and academia solution as a possible approach was tested in more detail. 52 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 53

WKI Supra-regional partnership Partnership among urban areas “Wissen-Kooperation-Innovation/W-K-I” (knowledge-cooperation-innovation)

Metropolitan Region”; to develop a corporate design; and to define new focal points.

Are there benefits for the region after the project has been concluded?

The MORO project helped to implement numerous steps of essential importance for the region in a very brief period of time. These included, for instance, clear regulations on integrating the sub-regions and the players from the business sector, academia, and civil society into the operational side of the Academia and the economy are partnership. The sub-project on family- The pilot region at a glance friendliness was a test run for such an approach working together more closely, Jan Opitz, chairman of the working population (m.) 8,6 group on supra-regional cooperations and was a success. A stable work basis involving thereby creating the framework in the Central German Metropolitan experts from the sub-regions was established, conditions for additional Region total area (km²) 15 400 including partners from academia and the civil innovations. society. The sub-project will now be continued Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, as an independent working group on family- Cities play an important role in Hesse, The pilot region Frankfurt/Rhine-Main – friendliness. participating Länder Rhineland-Palatinate the Central German Metropolitan Central Hesse – Rhine-Neckar – Western Region. An interview with Jan Opitz, Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, Palatinate consisted of the metropolitan What does the future hold? Central Hesse, chair of the working group on supra- Rhine-Neckar, region of Frankfurt/Rhine Main comprising partner regions West Palatinate regional cooperation of the Central The axiom of being equal partners leads the Aschaffenburg, Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Gießen, way. For the partners and sub-regions of the German Metropolitan Region, from REGION metropolitan regions this means they can CENTRAL HESSE the city of Leipzig’s spatial planning participate and will not be decoupled from the office: development of the stronger partners. Using operational interfaces, different sub-regions and METROPOLITAN REGION Which is the most important result for the players will be taken on board for the work in FRANKFURT/RHINE-MAIN Central German Metropolitan region? the metropolitan region on a case-by-case basis

and depending on subjects and projects. A tool It is the partnership model among the urban for balancing interests will be developed and areas. The partnership is open for membership WEST PALATINATE introduced and will support this process in the to all urban areas of the three Länder making future. up Central Germany. Integrating the cities of Magdeburg, Dessau- Roßlau, Gera and Jena into the metropolitan region was a first step. RHINE-NECKAR METRO- In this context decisions were taken to change POLITAN REGION the region’s name into “Central German Figure 11: W-K-I cooperation area (Secretariat of the Metropolitan Region of Frankfurt/Rhine Main) 54 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 55

Hanau, Mainz, Offenbach, Wiesbaden, Examples: Sub-project • Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Worms; the Central Hesse area comprising Sub-project Analyses Future factory Commerce Gießen, Marburg, Wetzlar; the metropolitan Objectives Objectives • Justus Liebig University Gießen region Rhine-Neckar comprising Mannheim, • Provadis School of International Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg; and the Western A monitoring system was planned to analyse The sub-project aimed to create a better Management & Technology. Palatinate area comprising Kaiserslautern, the specific strengths that already existed and network among the companies in this industry, Zweibrücken and Pirmasens. The pilot region to monitor their development. At the same time but also between the companies and specialised Some of the companies and research comprises conurbations, urbanised areas, and the following aspects were to be analysed: university and research institutions, so that institutions had prior experience of working rural districts. they could cooperate better in the future. The with partners from the four regions when the • what are the unique selling points of the potential partners were to get to know each project was started. Some others, however, had The partnership’s range of subjects four regions? other and agree on subjects to cooperate in. not yet known about other companies’ and and objectives • what innovative R&D approaches already A strengths-weaknesses analysis and a risks- research institutions’ strengths, nor were they exist? benefits analysis were planned. Objectives aware of cooperation potential. The W-K-I partnership’s core challenge was that • what new products or products are being for possible cooperations and ideas for joint the four regions had not cooperated before, developed? projects were to be defined. At the same time, Results were not perceived as one unity from the • which factors can improve the climate for the foundations for expanding the life sciences outside, and did not have a shared history as its innovation in the region? field of competence were to be prepared. Various approaches were discussed with starting point. The regions were competing for • what links are there among companies regard to the subjects and the organisational skilled workers and senior managers as well as and between companies, universities, The sub-regions of the MORO region hold structure in pooling the potential in the life for companies and research institutions, which and research institutions? specific strengths in the field of life sciences sciences industry across the four W-K-I regions. was another problem for the partnership. On and host outstanding companies and research Additional steps towards creating innovations this basis, an answer was sought to the question The findings were intended to be the basis for institutions: in life sciences in new frameworks were not whether a cooperation between the business promoting further cooperation in the field of life possible within the project’s lifetime. sector and academia (in the field of life sciences) sciences. • almost complete value added chains would lead to an increase in growth and (research-production-services system) Additional sub-projects innovation. Results • more than fifty competence networks in • supra-regional cooperation of existing innovative industries The sub-regions were not homogenous in the projects How the cooperation was organised • industrial parks and technology centres preconditions they offered for the field selected • networks with a focus on life sciences The project region set out to tackle an ambitious of life sciences. They did not have the same • communication components • international trade fairs and congresses. issue in a very large and diverse framework (its number of companies, research institutions in sub-regions had little experience in mutual the same density and focus. Their experience The project’s powerful partners are another cooperation) with a very lean organisational varied greatly and as a result, so did their asset. These included the following: structure. Unfortunately, this approach did expectations. In the course of the MORO project not prove viable when the project ended. it became clear that the life sciences industry • BioRegion Rhine-Neckar-Triangle e.V. Many sub-projects did not reach the phase of in the MORO region in its diversity and specific • Frankfurt Innovation Centre implementation due to that. focuses promises extensive potential for the Biotechnology GmbH future. This potential needs to be tapped. • HA Hessen Agentur GmbH – Hessen Biotech • Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce 56 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation,Paginierung projects 57

New culture of cooperation Nuremberg Metropolitan Region

Stefan Germer, West Maren Preuss, Rhine- Palatinate planning Neckar regional community association Regional products, specialties, but The pilot region at a glance With its supra-regional partnership Are there benefits for the region after the also services and technical products on “Wissen-Kooperation-Innovation/ project has been concluded? population (m.) 3,5 of a high quality – the rural area has a lot to offer. Urban and rural areas W-K-I” (knowledge-cooperation- The newly developed ‘culture of cooperation’ total area (km²) 20 544 innovation) MORO was the starting would ideally serve as the basis for governance both benefit from improved chains point for new structures to be structures to facilitate future cooperations. We participating Länder Bavaria of value added in the region. have identified many ways in which the sub- number of rural districts established. An interview with Stefan regions are already linked with one another or and county boroughs 21 Germer from the secretariat of the will be in the future. These links will constitute international partner The partnership consists of a core of county region Czech Republic West Palatinate planning community the basis for formal agreements on supra- boroughs and densely populated districts and and Maren Preuss from the Rhine- regional cooperative relations on the basis of their network of rural areas. Neckar regional association: specific fields of action and specific projects. The partnership’s range of subjects What is the most important result of W-K-I? and objectives

The project was the first cooperation of its kind The Nuremberg Metropolitan Region (EMN) in the region. In the project lifetime, it had a was founded in 2005. It aimed to “sustainably very positive influence on a specific cooperation develop the region and increase its prosperity”. approach in one of its sub-regions (Rhine- A total of 33 regional and local entities in Neckar-West Palatinate). The project generally northern Bavaria agreed to work together as encouraged the development of cooperative equal partners. Together with government structures and of a ‘culture of cooperation’. This officials, regional representatives from different applied in particular to players from the public fields of society took on responsibility for the sector. region’s future. They agreed on the following rules for their cooperation: 58 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 59

Council president steering group

1.deputy political tech. political tech. 2.deputy spokes- spokes- spokes- spokes- • The primacy of public policy applies. in the region; clusters in rural areas; and trans- person person person person

• The cooperation covers only those boundary cooperation. political tech. political tech. political tech. chair chair secretariat spokes- spokes- spokes- spokes- spokes- spokes- metropolitan issues which cannot be person person person person person person

dealt with at a sub-ordinate level. How the cooperation was organised chair chair chair • All decisions need to be taken on a The council of the Metropolitan Region is consensus basis. responsible for taking decisions. It represents • In its projects, the Metropolitan Region the project within but also beyond the region. is bound by the principles of excellence, It consists of legal representatives from the supra-regional significance, and sub-regions and co-opted members, i.e., subsidiarity.

representatives of the Bavarian government, culture and sports forum transport and tourism forum science forum planning forum the administrative regions, and the district structure forum political tech. spokes- spokes- economy and infra- The MORO project on the Nuremberg rural districts

municipalities person person

councils of the Nuremberg Metropolitan county boroughs Metropolitan Region constitutes such a Region. There are six fora: economy and service-forum-marketing chair partnership. It is a demonstration of how rural infrastructure; science; transport and planning; co-opted members of the Land government, areas can benefit from cooperations within a Land president, district president council tourism; culture and sports; and marketing. fora metropolitan region. It starts off with three fields chair Roughly 400 players from the business sector, of action: strengthening chains of value added regional conference

THURINGIA Figure 13: Organisational structure of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region SAXONY (Secretariat Nuremberg Metropolitan Region)

academia, culture, and the administration The projects and their results contribute to the fora with their expertise. Sub-projects Each forum has a technical spokesperson and a Chains of value added in the region political spokesperson, e.g., lord mayor, mayor, or district commissioner. They also each have Objectives a managing director. These are usually town The cooperation between existing regional councillors from different municipalities of the CZECH initiatives in the field of chains of value REPUBLIC Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Together added was to be improved, and a campaign with the council’s executive board they make developed for the entire metropolitan up the steering committee of the metropolitan region. For marketing purposes, the aim was region. The council’s executive board consists of to establish the “Original Regional aus der the ‘triumvirate’ of district commissioner, lord Metropolregion” (originally regional from the mayor and mayor. The marketing association metropolitan region) initiative as an umbrella is primarily run by the regional business brand for regional produce and services, and to sector, and develops as well as implements a then have it used more widely by regional and marketing strategy. local initiatives. This would also help the sense of identity within the metropolitan region.

Figure 12: Geographical framework of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region (Secretariat Nuremberg Metropolitan Region) 60 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 61

Results brought together institutional caterers, such Results A range of activities was carried out during as the Nuremberg clinical centre and city The nature parks in the Nuremberg MORO’s lifetime, among them the cross- canteens, with regional suppliers at a round Metropolitan Region contribute greatly to regional campaign “originally regional”. Its table. Nuremberg’s city council decided that the quality of life in the region. They provide objectives were the following: 25 % of all the produce in official institutions a link between agriculture, ecology, and the should be regional. New marketing and economy. The following sub-projects were • to maintain and expand the creation of logistics structures became necessary to serve implemented during the overall project’s goods, services, and jobs in the region, this demand. Additional sub-regions, such as lifetime: • to reduce traffic by enabling proximity the city of Lauf on the Pegnitz River and the district of Central Franconia, are endeavouring between producers and consumers, • The ten nature parks present themselves to Dr Christa Standecker, • to strengthen regional awareness, to comply with quotas for regional produce. the citizens of the metropolitan region in a managing director • to increase the consumption of regional travelling exhibition and a brochure. of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region’s products and services, The “originally regional” campaign has • The region presents itself on the www. secretariat • to contribute to the quality of life. encouraged the founding of more regional metropolregion-im-gruenen.de website. initiatives. These are able to make use of the Links provide more information about Many projects and initiatives intending to pool of experience from the network of existing everything the nature parks offer and on initiatives. It is not yet clear whether a de- promote regional products and services have places to see and things to do. Ideas and innovative approaches centralized organisation and the co-existence only a small customer base. They need bigger • A special list of excursion ideas for school turn into (pilot) projects. An markets. The “originally regional” campaign of different organisational approaches are trips has been compiled for teachers. has helped increase linkages between the rural viable. If the initiatives increase in number, it • The regional media present weekly tips for interview with Dr Christa areas and the conurbations and provide access will become even more important to discuss excursions. Standecker, managing director to a larger market. introducing uniform, product-related quality of the Nuremberg Metropolitan standards and pertinent quality mechanisms. A close link to the forum on tourism, promoting Region’s secretariat. In a parallel effort a demand for regional intra-regional tourism under the motto “satisfy Sub-project products was generated. The environmental your wanderlust close to home”, has provided What is the most important result for the Green metropolitan region agency of the city of Nuremberg and the additional benefits. More possibilities for nature Nuremberg Metropolitan Region? secretariat of the metropolitan region have Objectives parks can be imagined, i.e., incorporation into regional chains of value added or specialisation We were able to show in specific projects that The project aimed to enhance the Nuremberg in providing the region with regenerative large-scale urban-rural partnerships generate Metropolitan Region’s attractiveness as a “Green energies (bio mass and solar energy). Joint concrete benefits. By focusing not on the metropolitan region”, to further develop its applications may be possible within an divide between urban areas and rural areas but green infrastructure, and to enhance awareness interconnected biotope system. instead on existing and potential linkages, we of it. For this purpose, proposals on how to create were able to provide new momentum for the better profiles and cooperation among the Additional sub-projects region’s development. Using MORO we showed nature parks in the region were to be prepared. that the Bad Windsheim Declaration signed Another objective was to promote intra-regional • clusters in rural areas by the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region as a tourism and to create more goods and services • trans-boundary cooperation strategic and political policy document on joint in the region. The quality of life was to be turned responsibility does more than pay lip service. into a more important factor of the region’s Figure 14: “There is something missing if you don’t have regional products” advert attractiveness. (Secretariat Nuremberg Metropolitan Region) 62 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 63

European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart

Are there benefits for the region after the project has been concluded? As the pilot project went on, all players involved developed an increasing MORO enabled us to turn innovative understanding for the different ways in approaches into (pilot) projects and to which urban and rural areas may perceive successfully implement them. A beginning has the same political issues. In the city, been made. We will continue the projects. They demographic change is discussed under will be enhanced and applied sustainably to the the heading of an aging society, whereas entire framework of the metropolitan region. the countryside sees it as problem of large abandoned strips of land. While What does the future hold? Nuremberg does not have enough child The Bad Windsheim Declaration is a binding care facilities, the rural areas have to think commitment for all the players in the of different ways to use their facilities metropolitan region. Additionally, the Free as there are hardly any children to use State of Bavaria was intrigued by the success them. Public institutions have a different meaning in rural areas. A pub, for A region is preparing a concept to of the MORO project. A cooperation centre The model region at a glance for partnerships between rural areas and example, if it is the last one of its kind, is develop its urban and rural areas the agglomerate of the metropolitan region of great importance to the people’s life in population (m.) 5,3 jointly. It reinforces its concept by Nuremberg will continue the urban-rural the countryside. They fight for its survival, adding specific projects to promote whereas too many pubs and restaurants total area (km²) 15 400 partnership in the metropolitan region in new economic development. The concept projects and activities planned for the 2010-2013 are a nuisance for city dwellers. participating Länder Baden-Württemberg period. The Bavarian Ministry for Economic focuses on the transport and logistics Stuttgart, Ulrich Maly says that MORO helped the Affairs will provide the necessary resources. Heilbronn-Franconia, sectors as well as on promoting representatives from urban and rural East Württemberg the attractiveness of the region for areas to understand how the other Neckar-Alb, partner regions Northern Black Forest trade and industry and on funding Highlight side feels. He mentions the secondary number of rural districts innovations. Overcoming cultural barriers home tax levied by Nuremberg. Smaller and county boroughs 20 municipalities are not happy about it as The partnership’s range of subjects it makes students move to Nuremberg MORO saw to it that the cultural barriers and objectives in order not to pay the tax. The small between urban and rural mindsets were municipalities are concerned that those Regional cooperation has been on the agenda overcome. Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor who are originally from rural areas will for Stuttgart and its surroundings ever Ulrich Maly says: “Even I had to stop and lose their attachment to them. Ulrich since the regional association Stuttgart was learn that things are different in the rural Maly: “We need to review the situation founded in 1994. Regional planning, economic areas and that people are confronted with again and decide whether we should keep development promotion, suburban trains different types of problems.” the tax or not.” and infrastructures were part of an integrated policy for regional development, and created a close-knit network. Furthermore, the European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart funded infrastructures and conducted an active Europe- focused policy extending as far as setting up its own representation in Brussels. 64 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 65

By doing so it promoted the external integration The projects and their results The MORO project comprised objectives such as of the high-tech region in the southwest. Sub-project the following: There was agreement on mutual consultations Concept for the development of the region to be conducted in issues of land allocation. Commuters and commercial transport, • to confront the impact of demographic The municipalities were informed and offered networks, regional promotion of economic Objectives change and simultaneously maintain the advice. Shared funds were applied for within development and tourism marketing regularly region’s development opportunities, the framework of national and European A de-centralized settlement pattern, a traffic cross the borders between Stuttgart and its four • to intensify efforts so that land use is funding programmes. infrastructure which is broad in scope, a diverse surrounding regions, Heilbronn-Franconia reduced, and charming landscape, economic strength, (to the north), East Württemberg (to the east), • to create a better network of transport A train day was organised in May 2010 in the high technological standard, a climate for Neckar-Alb (to the south) and Northern Black infrastructures and to develop them context of a project focused on rail links. The innovations in many fields, a first class address Forest (to the west). The regional associations of further. event showed that the European Metropolitan for academia and research – the European the regions have therefore prepared a concept Region Stuttgart has diverse requirements for Metropolitan Region Stuttgart stands for all the for their development according to which Results rail mobility: improving the currently restricted above. centres of international significance work connections to some centres (e.g. Heilbronn, The five regions’ Councils of Elders reviewed, together with urban and rural areas, central Tübingen, Reutlingen), securing or improving specified and adopted the regional and peripheral areas as well as strong and weak its current integration into the long-distance rural area development concept. The regions defined areas. fringe zones of conurbation transport network, improving its accessibility shared objectives, actions, measures, and conurbation-like areas in the rural area in Europe-wide rail connections. conurbation projects for a sustainable and coordinated How the cooperation was organised according to the regional development plan Baden-Württemberg 2002 development of the regional structure and The partnership was primarily in the hands of infrastructure, and for the use of public spaces. five regions: the Stuttgart regional association, Rhine the regional associations Heilbronn-Franconia,

East Württemberg, Neckar-Alb and Northern BAVARIA Black Forest. For the sub-regions it was important that the objectives and obligations Central Upper be coordinated among all the parties as equal Rhine partners. The interests of the more centrally located areas and those of the more rural area were to be taken into consideration on equal terms. The actual cooperation was conducted in regular steering meetings of the five regional associations’ administrative representatives. The Councils of Elders of the regions were responsible for political coordination and Danube cooperation. Overall coordination was in the region‘s border hands of the Stuttgart regional association. municipality‘s border

Black Forest

LAKE CONSTANCE- UPPER SWABIA

Figure 15: Geographical framework of the Europan Figure 16: High-tech in the region Metropolitan Region Stuttgart 66 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 67

Sub-project secretariats, and have hosted two workshops economic and transport expansion; mix Projects for promoting economic development, for members of the networks. This has created of freight; functions in major supply regional association Stuttgart says: “As we attractiveness as a location, and innovation sustainable forms of cooperation among them chains; relative importance of individual were working together on a specific issue and with third-party companies and research locations, including priority routes to for some time, cooperation has become Objectives facilities. hubs, an established factor. MORO provided an An effective promotion of networks and clusters • to define the spaces needed for switching important impetus.” is decisive for remaining competitive in the The participants of the Business Angel Baden- transport modes: rail to road and rail to future and being a prosperous and growing Württemberg conferences, in Stuttgart in ship, The cooperation has resulted in positive economy. The MORO project pursued the October 2008 and in Heilbronn in July 2009, • to define spaces for logistics use effects for rail users but also users of following objectives: were informed about business angel activities. (existing ones as well as required ones) public transport. The supra-regional There was a separate event at which business in the regional plans of the European partnerships have discovered a shared • to make existing networks and cluster angels met with capital-seeking enterprises. Metropolitan Region Stuttgart. interest: better transport connections initiatives of the regions known to each not only within Stuttgart, but also to other and to enhance their cooperation, Events open to the entire region were organised Results centres located further away. Thomas to improve the communication about Kiwitt: “We have bundled our wishes and especially in the networks for photonics The relevance of logistics became apparent in design and to make small and medium-sized presented them jointly.” The cooperation (using optics in information processing) conversations and interviews conducted on the enterprises more aware of it. Information on has strengthened the position of and for virtual engineering (digital basis of a manual within MORO’s “Logistik in design competences in the metropolitan region its members in negotiations with descriptions, modelling, simulations and der Europäischen Metropolregion Stuttgart” was disseminated in publications: these help in transport operators. Stuttgart as such optimisation of products), (logistics in the European Metropolitan marketing efforts. has 2.5 million inhabitants whereas the • to promote cooperation with networks of Region Stuttgart) project with players in the European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart business angels. A business angel or angel field of logistics (planning, service providers / Sub-project represents five million inhabitants, i.e., investor is a financial sponsors investing shipping companies, universities and carriers). Logistics in the European half the population of the state of Baden- in young and innovative companies, They were the source of information for the Metropolitan Region Stuttgart Württemberg. often giving them advice and helping regional planning authorities on the lack of them expand their connections. Capital- Objectives coordination in some aspects of logistics and A transport schedule for the entire seeking start-up companies are given the possible approaches for future cooperation. opportunity to present themselves to the A very high percentage of the companies in the metropolitan region is the ultimate investors, metropolitan region are manufacturers. In all goal. It is intended to have buses and trains run in regular intervals, and that • to promote cooperation in the field five sub-regions highly qualified enterprises Highlight good connections to the city centre and of design. (This is an area of myriad depend on swift and reliable deliveries and Schedule for the entire region competences in industrial, jewellery, dispatches. The MORO project pursued the from one centre to another are offered. and furniture design to be found in some following objectives: Thomas Kiwitt: “To have one school of the sub-regions of the metropolitan The European Metropolitan Region bus in the morning and another in the region, i.e., Stuttgart, East Württemberg, • to define requirements for a logistics Stuttgart showed a variety of untapped afternoon, and only when the schools are Northern Black Forest). concept for the entire metropolitan potential for cooperating with its not on holiday, is not enough.” region based on the problems observed, neighbouring regions. Thomas Kiwitt, Results and to initiate pilot projects with a managing technical director of the positive impact for the European The networks on optical technology (Photonics Metropolitan Region Stuttgart, BW) and virtual engineering (VDC Fellbach) • to identify the logistics function of the have shared a trade booth in trade fairs, have European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart regular contacts with each other via their with regards to its geographical location; 68 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation,Paginierung projects 69

Testing new forms of cooperation European Integrated Area Lake Constance

Are there benefits for the region after the project has been concluded?

Yes, of course. To me that is the long-term added value. As part of the pilot project we developed and tested new forms of cooperation in the European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart in joint projects. They focused on subjects such as intensively coordinating our regional planning policies, using the different talents of the sub- Jeannette Wopperer, regions in a targeted way in providing spaces director of Stuttgart’s for logistics purposes, and benefiting from the regional association train day event. It was there that the project partners worded their decision to connect the Representatives from Germany, The pilot region at a glance rail hub with the European railways network Austria and Switzerland are working and to rural sub-regions. We need to maintain population (m.) 3,6 The European Metropolitan and institutionalise this perspective of shared together in regional planning issues. Region Stuttgart intends to focus A shared understanding of the interests across all levels. total area (km²) 16 000 on increasing the efficiency of its Germany, Austria, future development in the region is infrastructure. An interview with What does the future hold? Principality Liechtenstein, emerging across national borders. participating ountries Switzerland Jeannette Wopperer, director of We expressed our ideas for future Baden-Württemberg, In this pilot region the German sub-regions are Stuttgart’s regional association: developments in a joint concept. It is being participating Länder Bavaria not involved as a ‘German’ region cooperating implemented in specific projects in a promising number of districts with partners on the other side of the border – What is the most important result for the manner. By the way, this is also true for and county boroughs 7 instead, the region is per se a multinational one. pilot region “European Metropolitan Region economic cooperation in cluster initiatives and Stuttgart”? networks. Our next practical steps will focus The partnership’s range of subjects on increasing the efficiency in infrastructure: We succeeded in fleshing out the abstract and objectives climate change and demographic change ideas of what the European Metropolitan are also major challenges for the European The Lake Constance region is located centrally Region Stuttgart should be about. Together Metropolitan Region Stuttgart. within Europe. It is in close vicinity to very we managed to make the model of joint dynamic economic centres, but it consists of responsibility more tangible by means of sub-regions which are basically at the periphery specific project work. of the countries they are part of, and they are geographically far away from their respective capitals. Instead of a clear centre, i.e., a metropolitan region, there is a network of small or medium-sized regional centres. The region has gained its importance on the basis of the cooperation among its sub-regions. The Lake Constance region is therefore an almost perfect

Figure 17: European Integrated Area Lake Constance (Regional association Lake Constance-Upper Swabia) 70 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 71

model of an integrated area which extends over players relevant in the region, but a conflict Discussions were planned on the following region and the International Lake Constance several national borders. The region has had management mechanism is lacking. The sub- points: Conference. The work of this module finally led a long tradition of inter-municipal and trans- project was planned to optimise the processes. to a follow-up project by the spatial planning boundary planning. The Lake Constance region A task force was set up to develop practical • what is the best possible spatial structure commission for the Lake Constance on is now confronted with new challenges: there are proposals for optimising regional governance for the region? “Zukunft der Raumentwicklung im Grenzraum new concepts for regional development in the structures. • how can the spatial functions be divided Deutschland-Österreich-Schweiz-Liechtenstein” countries along the lake and within the European among the various centres and sub- (the future of spatial planning in the border area Union. They had not yet been specified for the Results regions? Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Liechtenstein). international Lake Constance region. It was partly based on the model for the spatial At the “Steuerung regionaler Entwicklung!?” The findings were intended to be implemented structure of the international Lake Constance (controlling regional development) forum How the cooperation was organised in decisions to be adopted by the political region developed in the framework of the MORO organised by the Austrian Spatial Planning bodies. The International Lake Constance project. The regional associations of Lake Constance- Conference and the Federal Chancellery of Conference and the spatial planning Upper Swabia and High Rhine-Lake Constance Austria in Vienna in November 2008, initial commission for the Lake Constance were the Sub-project were in charge of coordinating the overall findings on a regional steering system for the central bodies in this regard. Spatial planning observation project. The St. Gallen University accompanied European Integrated Area Lake Constance the project with its technical expertise and were presented and discussed. The trans- Objectives Results provided academic inputs. The International Lake boundary governance structures in place A trans-boundary spatial planning observation Constance Conference and the regional planning were analysed and structured. In May 2009 The heads of government adopted a new system was established between 2004 and commission for the Lake Constance were the they were coordinated with the MORO strategy for the Lake Constance at their meeting 2008 in the course of the DACH+ project in higher level, cross-sectoral, and trans-boundary “Grenzüberschreitende Verflechtungsräume” as early as June 2008. The contents and questions the border area where Germany, Austria, cooperation partners. The municipal side was (trans-boundary integrated areas) project. of spatial development in the region were also Switzerland and Liechtenstein meet. It contains integrated by involving the German rural districts The secretariat of the International Lake discussed in the “Raumkonzept Schweiz” (spatial the most relevant indicators for the entire Lake and the municipal association Lake Constance. Constance Conference provided the results concept Switzerland) document, which included Constance region and additional, neighbouring Additional partners were the Bavarian planning of these analyses to the MORO discussions on a chapter on the Lake Constance in its current areas. The MORO sub-project aimed to develop association Allgäu and the chambers all along the the structural development of trans-boundary policy. a concept for how DACH+ can be sustainably Lake Constance. The project saw itself as an open cooperation in the Lake Constance region. used as a spatial planning system in the Lake network with the possibility to be continuously This happened, for example, in the context of The future spatial structure of the Lake Constance region. developed. A ‘lean’ project structure was a general strategic talks among the heads of government Constance region was discussed in principle. It used the existing institutions of trans- of the International Lake Constance Conference Friedrichshafen at the end of 2008 on the basis Results boundary cooperation in the Lake Constance in July 2010. of the work already covered by the spatial region. planning commission for the Lake Constance Initial ideas were presented in 2008. The Sub-project and the DACH+ project (www.dachplus.org). The spatial information system was updated in The projects and their results Spatial structure players involved came from the fields of spatial the course of the project. The main point was planning, the business sector, tourism, and the to establish connections with other relevant Sub-project Objectives transport sector. The discussions resulted in spatial planning information systems. This Optimising the regional governance structures In the context of advancing the strategy for the an initial model for the spatial structure in the was particularly true for the Lake Constance in spatial development Lake Constance a strong need for action was international Lake Constance region. statistics platform, for which pertinent Objectives identified with respect to the region’s future agreements were reached with the other spatial structure. Throughout the year 2009 they were part of statistical offices. The information needs The integrated Lake Constance region consists the political opinion-forming processes at the across the region were identified so that the of diverse cooperation networks among the spatial commission for the Lake Constance requirements for a spatial information platform 72 The pilot regions, geographical frameworks, organisation, projects 73

and a statistics platform would become clear. Results potential these areas have. We intend to do so The interfaces between the various initiatives in the future on the basis of the initiative which and Austria were only able to fight The activities focused on linking the MORO project were coordinated and the exchange of data brought us together. Developing a specific increasing pollution and decreasing with other on-going projects in the Lake Constance or information was discussed. As a follow-up, spatial planning category should be most useful water quality jointly. On the basis of region. There was a particularly strong linkage the regions and cantons making up the spatial in this effort, especially when it reflects the this cooperative tradition the desire to the ”Themenwelt Bodensee” (Lake Constance planning commission have decided to jointly metropolitan functions of these border areas. arose to have a better coordination in themes and worlds) project which developed continue the spatial planning observation on spatial planning. “We have used the the bases for positioning the Lake Constance the basis of the MORO expertise. The following What does the future hold? MORO process to advance shared visions region as an economic and academic region. This measures were agreed upon and started in across national borders”, says Harald project’s results are now being implemented in the In addition to working together on strategic 2010: Winkelhausen, deputy director of the “Internationaler Wirtschaftsraum Bodensee” (Lake goals for the future we wish to establish a Lake Constance-Upper Swabia regional Constance as an international economic area) new INTERREG project and do what we can to • to supply a basic IT infrastructure, e.g., association. project. Cooperation was established with other have better coordinated and shared regional servers, operating system etc., regional projects, i.e., with the “Wissensregion” development policies around the Lake • to supply the software-related The European Integrated Area Lake (knowledge region) project. The Chambers of Constance. The regional authorities from all infrastructure for the DACH+ geoportal, Constance is not a metropolitan region Commerce on the Lake Constance, economic around the lake have already met to discuss this • to develop the DACH+ geoportal to such as Stuttgart or Hamburg, but there investment agencies and universities of the region issue, inspired not least by MORO. become more user-friendly, are strong cities in terms of academia, worked together. Positioning the Lake Constance • to improve the technical content of the culture and the economy in close vicinity region as an international integrated area will also information provided by the geoportal to the major city Zurich. These cities be included in the discussions on the European and add more services, are Bregenz, Friedrichshafen, Konstanz Union’s future regional policies. • to operate a web-based geoportal on an and St. Gallen. The region managed on-going basis. to steer national and international Wilfried Franke, director of the focus towards trans-boundary areas Sub-project regional association Lake Constance- and their idiosyncrasies. Harald Positioning the Lake Constance region as a Upper Swabia says: “We need to Winkelhausen says: “We have a new category in spatial planning which had knowledge and innovation region make better use of the still untapped not been considered before. People Objectives potential in the European Integrated usually stopped their thoughts and Area Lake Constance.” Wilfried Franke, ideas at the national borders. This new The Lake Constance region is primarily director of the regional perceived as a tourist destination and as a association Lake Con- perspective is important for the future.” region offering a high quality of life. It is rarely What is the most important result for the pilot stance-Upper Swabia The European Integrated Area Lake seen as an economically dynamic region in region? Constance is therefore taking part in the “Überregionale Partnerschaften Europe, and its competitive economic structure We have become used to international Highlight in grenzüberschreitenden is often overlooked. In the context of a specific cooperation at Lake Constance over many Thinking outside the box Verflechtungsräumen” (supra-regional implementation project, a strategy was to be decades covering many fields. We have partnerships in trans-boundary developed and then implemented to position institutionalised it in many bodies. In this integrated areas) pilot project organised the Lake Constance area as a knowledge and regard, MORO was mainly a continuation of There has been trans-boundary by the Federal Ministry of Transport, innovation region. on-going processes in the first place. The most cooperation in the Lake Constance region Building and Urban Development and the important result for us was the exchange of since the 1950s. The three countries Federal Office for Building and Regional experience with other border areas and our around the lake: Germany, Switzerland, Planning. intention to make better use of the special 74 Contact points, links and bibliography 75

Contact points, links and bibliography

Contact points Links & publications Bibliography

Institut für ländliche Strukturforschung (IfLS) (2009): Ute Krönert Federal Ministry of Transport, Benz, Arthur; Lütz, Susanne; Schimak, Uwe; Simonis, Georg (Hrsg.) 2007: Handbuch Governance, Wiesbaden Perspektiven und Potenziale metropolnaher Regionen, Building and Urban Development Proceedings of a conference on 12 November 2009, Federal Ministry of Transport, BMBau (Federal Ministry for Urban and www.bmvbs.de Frankfurt Building and Urban Development Regional Planning and Construction) 1995: Keim, Karl-Dieter 2006: Peripherisierung ländlicher Division Spatial Planning; Spatial Planning Law Federal Institute for Research on Building, Raumordnungspolitischer Handlungsrahmen. Document adopted by the Standing Conference Räume. In: Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Aus Krausenstr. 17-20 Urban Affair and Spatial Development at the of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning in Politik und Zeitgeschehen, Volume 37 D-10117 Berlin Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning Düsseldorf on 8 March 1995 Knieling, J. 2007: Regiopolen und Regional Governance, www.bbr.bund.de BMVBS (Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and in Aring, J.; Hahne, U.; Reuter, I. (Hg.), Regiopolen, [email protected] Urban Development) 2006: Visions and Strategies for Kassel. Project management, Institut Raum & Energie Spatial Development in Germany. Document adopted phone: +49 (0) 30-18300 6134 Knieling, J. 2006: Leitbilder und strategische www.raum-energie.de by the Standing Conference of Ministers responsible for fax: +49 (0) 30-18300 807 6134 Raumentwicklung – Planungstheoretische Regional Planning on 30 June 2006 Project partnership PP Nord Einordnung und Diskussion der neuen Leitbilder für Blotevogel, Hans-Heinrich 2006: Neuorientierung der die deutsche Raumentwicklung, Raumforschung und www.metropolregion.hamburg.de/kooperationen Raumordnungspolitik? – Die neuen Leitbilder und Raumordnung, Volume 6, pages 473-485. Dr Rupert Kawka Handlungsstrategien für die Raumentwicklung in Knieling, J.; Matern, A.: 2005: The Future of Deutschland in der Diskussion, Raumforschung und Cooperation and networking in the north-east Metropolitan Regions in Europe, Report on Federal Institute for Research on Building, Raumordnung, H. 6, p. 460-472. Interrelations and Cooperation between the Metropolis Urban Affairs and Spatial Development http://gl.berlin-brandenburg.de/ Blotevogel, Hans-Heinrich 2005: Metropolräume and its Surrounding Region, The Council of Europe, CG/

Division Regional Structural Policy; regionalentwicklung/moro und ländliche Räume – eine Solidargemeinschaft? INST (12) 5, Straßburg. Urban Development Written version of a presentation given at the Leber, Nils; Kunzmann, Klaus R. 2006: technical congress “Leitlinien der niedersächsischen Deichmanns Aue 31-37 Central German Metropolitan Region Entwicklungsperspektiven ländlicher Räume in Zeiten Landesentwicklungspolitik” in Hanover on 24 D-53179 Bonn des Metropolenfiebers. In: disP 166, S. 58-70 www.region-mitteldeutschland.com November 2005, www.raumplanung.uni-dortmund.de Melzer, Michael 2003: Stadt-Umland-Kooperationen in Fahrenkrug, Katrin; Melzer, Michael 2006: Kleine [email protected] Knowledge-Cooperation-Innovation Schleswig-Holstein, Empfehlungen für die Kommunale Gemeinden im ländlichen Raum. In: Bertelsmann www.wissen-kooperation-innovation.de Praxis (Inhaltliche Konzeption, Text und Grafik). phone: +49 (0) 228-99401-1314 Stiftung (Hg.), Wegweiser Demografischer Wandel 2020 Published by the Ministry of the Interior of Schleswig- fax: +49 (0) 228-99401-2356 Goppel, Konrad 2005: Die Rolle der Metropolregionen Holstein, Kiel in der Landesplanung. In: Bayrische Akademie Nuremberg Metropolitan Region Planungsgruppe P4; Deutsches Institut für Ländlicher Raum e.V. (Hg.), Ländliche Räume und www.metropolregionnuernberg.de Urbanistik; Aring, Jürgen 2008: Großräumige Metropolregionen: Partner oder Konkurrenten?, Dr Michael Melzer Verantwortungsgemeinschaft Berlin, Brandenburg, Volume 43, Munich, pages 10-16 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Berlin Raum & Energie, Institut für Planung, European Metropolitan Region Stuttgart Hahne, Ulf 2005: Zur Neuinterpretation des Sydow, Jörg 1993: Strategische Netzwerke, Wiesbaden Kommunikation und Prozessmanagement GmbH www.region-stuttgart.org Gleichwertigkeitsziels. Raumforschung und Hafenstr. 39 Raumordnung, , Volume 4, pages 257-265 D-22880 Wedel Hahne, Ulf; Glatthaar, Michael 2005: Die großräumige European Integrated Area Lake Constance Verantwortungsgemeinschaft. In: Raumplanung, www.hochrhein-bodensee.de Volume 124, pages 5-10 [email protected] phone: +49 (0) 4103-16041 fax: +49 (0) 4103-2981

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