Long-distance structural change: conference focussed on transformation perspectives

In presentations, discussion rounds and workshops, the experts discussed numerous challenges for policymakers and administrations in the mining areas: These include accelerated planning, land and resource conflicts, the sustainable development of post-mining landscapes, the technological and economic innovative strength of the regions and, last but not least, the long-term involvement of people in structural change.

Even if the current news from the industry is very thought-provoking, many new future-oriented jobs are being created in the coal regions thanks to the commitment of politics and business. Recognisable beacons of change as reference points such as the German Centre for Astrophysics in Görlitz, the Medical University in Cottbus and the establishment of Microsoft's hyperscale Computing Centres in the Rhenish mining area are important anchors. However, the task for the coming years, as formulated by Prof. Christa Reicher (RWTH), is: "We need to move from lighthouses to shining regions. People have to be taken along and realise that the new future is better than the past was."

Federal Minister Klara Geywitz emphasised that the federal government stands by the coalfields. Despite looking to the future, the past and the historically grown identities associated with it must not be lost sight of: "Structural change is also an emotional process. We must recognise the contribution made by the people in the coalfields over the decades and preserve the past. Initiatives such as the Archive of Disappeared Places are important knowledge carriers in this regard." However, it is also important to actively involve the next generation in the transformation process: "Young people in the regions must be able to play an active role in shaping change, as this strengthens democracy and cohesion. We need sustainable youth participation so that good ideas can be turned into effective projects in the future."

Dr Carola Neugebauer, Head of the Competence Centre for Urban and Regional Development at the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, referred to the courage and commitment that is needed now: "There is no blueprint for the transformation process that is currently underway. Nevertheless, we in the districts are daring to change creatively, resolutely and, above all, together. It is therefore worth further expanding and consolidating a learning culture that is tolerant of mistakes and the exchange of ideas across specialist, hierarchical and district boundaries."

The Rhenish mining area faces particular challenges with the coal phase-out in 2030. As demanding as the phase-out of lignite may be from this perspective: "There's no need to worry," says the mayor of Grevenbroich, a municipality that is currently working with RWE to develop the former Frimmersdorf power plant site at the Garzweiler open-cast mine for the future. The aim is to turn the huge power station halls into a digital and innovation centre.

Although the structural change is perceived as a long haul by the stakeholders, the dialogue between the designers showed that the mining areas are on the right track. For example, the Lusatian and Rhineland mining districts are working towards the goal of accelerating planning in order to fund future-proof technology settlements and at the same time guarantee sustainable spatial development.

Administrations are negotiating strategically important and complex development issues such as the use of land and resources such as water in a variety of dialogue formats with business and civil society. The trust that is gained gives rise to potentially good solutions that can fund sustainable regional development.

All lignite phase-out regions are discovering new potential and cultivating the ability to constantly change perspectives in the face of structural change and the major development issues of digitalisation, regionalisation and climate change in their mining areas. The innovation potential that already exists in the mining areas is crystallising from the transfer between research and industry, for example when new technologies help to solve municipal energy and heat security issues and small and medium-sized enterprises in the mining areas actually benefit from the research funding provided by the Structural Reinforcement Act.

Business, civil society, administration, politics and research should work together even more closely on structural change. In this way, the positive development of the lignite mining areas can be used as an example for the establishment of future transformation processes.

The Competence Centre for Regional Development of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) organised the conference together with the RWTH Aachen University, the City of Mönchengladbach, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH), the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier and the Institute for Structural Change and Sustainability (HALIS).