Dresden in 2040: Europe’s capital of future technologies

As part of the Sächsische Zeitung’s 30 Visions for Dresden series, TUD Rector Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger has shared her ideas on the future development of Saxony. The following is an excerpt from the article.

“Dresden in 2040 will be the place where Germany’s and Europe’s future is shaped to a significant extent”

In 2040, Dresden will be a city which does not leave its history behind. Instead, it will draw strength and inspiration from it for the future. Dresden, admired worldwide as the Florence of the Elbe and, at the same time, one of Europe's most prominent hubs of science and innovation. A city that prospers through its vibrant startup scene and the close ties between academia and industry – and from which solutions to the key challenges of our time emerge.

Dresden: A cutting-edge research and innovation location

Dresden is internationally renowned as a leading hub for cutting-edge research. We have created a place where excellent research, successful commercialization, and social impact reinforce one another. As a University of Excellence, we play a pivotal role in driving this development.

A key factor is our outstanding patent portfolio: TUD has the most patents of all German universities – by a wide margin, with more than 100 patent applications filed each year. This shows that, thanks to researchers at TUD and the DRESDEN-concept Alliance, Dresden is not only the birthplace of scientific breakthroughs—it is also where they are transformed into marketable solutions. Companies that emerged from TUD, are backed by millions in investor funding, and are based in Dresden—such as Wandelbots and Seamless Therapeutics—serve as prime examples of how groundbreaking research can drive economic growth and open up new markets.

At a time when resources are becoming increasingly scarce while demand for high-performance microelectronics remains high, we at TUD are playing a key role in further developing Europe’s largest semiconductor hub here in Dresden. After all, high-performance microelectronics are the foundation of virtually all future technologies – from AI to the internet of the future to mobility. My vision is that, by 2040, our Excellence-funded research will have led to the development of high-performance chips that consume less energy and are designed in such a way that their materials can be reused. Building upon this, Dresden will continue in its leading role as the next technological breakthroughs emerge – such as secure and fast communication based on quantum technology.

A foundation for the future: Sustainability, cohesion, and democracy

My vision for Dresden is inextricably linked to a profound transformation: toward a sustainable, livable, and resilient city with great innovation potential. Dresden will be a net-zero city with all the benefits this brings – climate-neutral, resource-efficient, and economically sustainable. Thanks to research at TUD, buildings are not only constructed cost-effectively – they are also designed from the outset so that, at the end of their life cycle, they can be dismantled into their component parts and repurposed. Our mobility will also change: more space for pedestrians, and semi-automated public transportation that will become more widely available, especially outside of the urban centers.

All of this requires a strong societal foundation. Dresden bears particular historical responsibility – and for me, this gives rise to a clear mission: to actively protect and strengthen our fundamental principles of freedom and democracy  Freedom of research and teaching is inextricably linked to this: It is the foundation of our innovation strength and, as such, the foundation for the emergence of new ideas and the companies that grow out of them. Especially in a time of geopolitical tensions, this openness makes us even more appealing to international students and researchers. This benefits the academic community, the business sector, and, by extension, the entire city.

I’m confident that Dresden stands for taking responsibility and treating one another with respect. This city knows what it means to lose certainty and undergo profound changes, and it has learned precisely from these experiences how to navigate change with confidence and courage. Not least because of the unique experience of upheaval in East Germany, Dresden is sending an important message calling for greater unity in our country.

Europe’s capital of future technologies

In my vision for 2040, Dresden is the city that companies in the fields of microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology choose as the location for their headquarters. This is because it uniquely combines academic excellence, technological innovation, cultural inspiration, cosmopolitanism, and an exceptionally high and affordable quality of life. It is the place where the best talent wants to live and work. Dresden in 2040 will be the place where Germany’s and Europe’s future is shaped to a significant extent.

The original article was published on May 20, 2026: https://www.saechsische.de/lokales/dresden/tu-rektorin-ursula-staudinger-in-dresden-wird-deutschlands-zukunft-mitgestaltet-SYMETLW5T5CB3BC5Z4E3NOZQEY.html