M. Sc. Lukas Thorenz

The role of spatial planning and development in transformation processes – an analysis based on the example of the region Dresden

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Motivation

In recent years, the role of spatial planning has increasingly shifted from a regulatory function to a developmental one. Due to various transformation processes (demographic change, the establishment or relocation of industries, etc.), which often have a significant impact on subsequent spatial development processes, there is a growing need for sustainable spatial development. In this context, interdisciplinary inter-municipal cooperation to jointly tackle these challenges are becoming increasingly important – a concept often referred to in the literature as regional governance structures. Due to developments in the semiconductor industry in the north of Dresden, approximately 2,000 jobs are set to be created in the semiconductor sector over the next few years. To address the resulting challenges, the city of Dresden, together with its surrounding municipalities, plans to establish a regional governance structure – the ‘Kommunalverbund Region Dresden’. This thesis aims to analyse the changing role of spatial planning and development in transformation processes using the case study of the Dresden region.

State of research

The term ‘regional governance’ appears frequently in the academic literature, describing a form of governance and self-governance within a region. For example: Region Hannover, Kommunalverbund Niedersachsen/Bremen, Metropolregion Berlin-Brandenburg, Region Stuttgart. The number of comparable studies on the role of spatial planning and development in transformation processes is limited; however, completed doctoral theses already point to the need for in-depth investigations into the role of spatial planning in regional governance structures and their potential for transferability. This study addresses this research need.

Research question / objectives

The overall research objective is to examine the changing role of spatial planning and development in regional transformation processes. In particular, existing governance structures and planning instruments are to be analysed to determine the extent to which they are capable of addressing the downstream spatial development processes and the resulting needs of large-scale industrial settlement in the region Dresden (transformation process). A key objective of the study is to derive general conclusions and proposed solutions regarding the management of various transformation processes and the extent to which regional governance structures can contribute to this.

Methodology

The research design is based on a mixed-methods approach. This requires a literature review to examine the current state of research, the various regional governance structures, and existing studies on the region Dresden. Furthermore, both qualitative and quantitative methods are to be used for the empirical data collection. The collected data will then be analysed and evaluated. With regard to testing the practicability of the approaches, the use of model and impact analyses is planned. The results are to be verified with the help of experts.