{"id":26464,"title":"Cities and Globalisation: Bochum","link":"https:\/\/bst-europe.eu\/de\/globalization\/cities-and-globalisation-bochum\/","date":"28. M\u00e4rz 2020","date_unix":1585389873,"date_modified_unix":1687520984,"date_iso":"2020-03-28T10:04:33+00:00","content":"

Bochum, located in Germany\u2019s Ruhr Valley, faces not only global competition but also competition from the many larger cities in the area. The chances for success in such an environment can be improved by setting up a comprehensive and holistic strategic approach. With 2030 \u2013 Die\u00a0Bochum Strategie<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>Bochum has developed an excellent strategy which focusses on five key points: environment, science, modern city management, talent, quality of life, and culture. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCities in Germany are confronted with major challenges. The pressure to change is substantial. The increasing digitalization of the economy and society, the continuing weakness of municipal budgets, demographic change, the increasing drifting apart of society, but also the influx of people seeking protection; these are issues that have a direct impact at the local level and require appropriate municipal solutions.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Taken from\u00a0Bochum Strategie 2030<\/a><\/p>\n

Guiding principles of Bochum\u2019s strategy to tackle these significant challenges are\u00a0Knowledge \u2013 Change \u2013 Togetherness<\/em>: Knowledge as a resource for the future. Change as a forward-looking approach to structural change and Togetherness as the base for social cohesion.<\/p>\n

Bochum\u2019s strategic approach<\/h2>\n

Bochum\u2019s strategy reaches out until 2030. I talked with Ulf Dannehl (Advisor to the Mayor) and Dr. Lars Tata (Strategy Manager) to obtain insights into the development, implementation, and success of Bochum\u2019s strategy as strategic city development is a crucial element for staying competitive in a globalized world.<\/p>\n

Which process did you use to develop the strategy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mayor Thomas Eiskirch was the driving force behind the strategy development process, to point the Bochum in a positive direction. One crucial element in developing the strategy was a broad-base inclusion of Bochum\u2019s citizens using a citizen conference. People were selected randomly to take part in the conference to represent all citizens equally.<\/p>\n

\"B\u00fcrgerkonferenz<\/a>
B\u00fcrgerkonferenz am 11.02.2017 im RuhrCongress in Bochum. +++ Foto: Lutz Leitmann\/Stadt Bochum, Referat f\u00fcr Kommunikation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Which feedback did\u00a02030 \u2013 Die Bochum Strategie<\/em>\u00a0get internally and externally?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Citizens and employees agreed that the City wants to make Bochum fit for the\u00a0future<\/strong>\u00a0and aim for out of the box thinking in an adequate way. However, it is not that easy to communicate the inevitably abstract derivation of the strategy.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0communication<\/strong>\u00a0is crucial to the success of the strategy internally as well as externally, concrete examples of measurements were used to emphasize the importance of developing a comprehensive strategic stance. Internal and external communication has proven to be a vital task to make the strategy a success.<\/p>\n

For communication and information purposes, the City set up a\u00a0conference<\/strong>\u00a0for over 450 of its employees as well. Further, a market for ideas in the City Hall which lasted more than one week was established to demonstrate openness to the suggestions of the employees.<\/p>\n

What is necessary to keep in mind is that strategy development and implementation is not a sprint but takes\u00a0perseverance<\/strong>. It is also a process related to aspects such as change management, which solely have to do with the strategy itself.<\/p>\n

\"Bu\u0308rgerkonferenz_2018_(Quartiere)_II\"<\/a><\/p>\n

+++ Foto: Lutz Leitmann\/Stadt Bochum, Referat f\u00fcr Kommunikation<\/em><\/p>\n

Which measures did you so far implement in Bochum?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are several projects in process. Some have already been completed, and some are in various phases of implementation. For example:<\/p>\n