Photos: ©WindNODE/ Frank Woelffing
Workshop concepting and implementation for the model region Lusatia using futurology and design thinking methods.
Year
2019
Services
Future research on structural change and energy system
Transformation
Participatory workshop
Presentation
Visioning
CHALLENGE
Lusatia is at the beginning of a far-reaching structural change with a promising starting position. The region has well-qualified people, towns and districts are attractive to live in, with living space at moderate prices and, in an advantageous location in the greater area of the German capital Berlin. It has the potential to become a European model region for successful structural change. However, there are challenges. Structural change is still just a buzzword for most people. In order to realize the goal, communities, entrepreneurship and politics must stand together.
PROCESS
Together with the Economic Development Agency of the State of Brandenburg and the WindNODE association, Ellery Studio defined the framework conditions for the collection of ideas and possible participatory formats. Using methods from futurology and design thinking, Ellery Studio conceived and moderated the “News from the Future: Model Region Lusatia 2050” workshop and provided methods to develop creative potential to more than 50 participants. With the help of the workshop template, the participants identified their ideas regarding local networking, infrastructure, urban development, acceptance, participation, and climate goals. In the further steps, the prerequisites for the ideas/ success were developed.
STEPS
1
Development of quality criterias for forward-looking ideas and measures
2
Workshop conception
3
Workshop implementation (systemic consideration of ideas / concepts of the model region)
4
Documentation
RESULTS
Six ideas were developed in the workshop, and they have been incorporated into the Berlin Brandenburg Energy Technology Cluster. The ideas were evaluated by the Brandenburg Economic Development Agency and were transferred to possible pilot projects as a part of the Lusatia Strategy. The workshop brought together networked players, sent out an optimistic signal of new beginnings and established a platform for discussion.