Shaping Structural Change – Strategies and Technologies for Municipalities in the Central German Mining Region (WIP Project)

The WIP project supports municipalities in the Central German Mining District in Saxony-Anhalt during the coal phase-out and the resulting structural change. Through scientific and technological transfer, innovative development strategies in the fields of energy and spatial planning are promoted. A particular focus is placed on networking regional stakeholders and creating sustainable future profiles.

The Fraunhofer IFF plays a central role in this project by developing and implementing innovative solutions for the sustainable transformation of the region. It supports municipalities with scientifically based methods, conducts needs analyses, develops future profiles, and accompanies pilot projects for the implementation of new technologies in the fields of energy supply and spatial planning. Through targeted knowledge and technology transfer, municipalities are empowered to develop and implement long-term, viable solutions for structural change.

Project Objectives:

• Strengthening municipal transformation competence: Enabling municipalities to develop specific future profiles in energy planning.
• Establishing a regional innovation network: Promoting collaboration between municipalities, scientific institutions, businesses, and social stakeholders.
• Knowledge transfer and capacity building: Developing and conveying comprehensive perspectives on transformation strategies and expert knowledge in energy and spatial planning.
• Developing individual future profiles: Supporting municipalities in identifying, conceptualizing, and implementing location-specific projects.
• Optimizing energy and spatial planning concepts: Integrating sustainable energy solutions into municipal planning through innovative technologies and digital tools.

Expected Project Results:

• Establishment and development of a WIP network to connect and exchange information between municipalities and regional stakeholders.
• Development of location-specific future profiles for municipalities in the Central German Mining District.
• Transfer and application of new technologies and planning approaches in energy, mobility, and infrastructure.
• Identification and implementation of concrete development measures in pilot projects to validate sustainable structural change strategies.
• Guidelines and best practices to share with other regions and municipalities undergoing transformation.