Structural change in the south of Leipzig: opportunities and concerns of the residents!

Structural change in the south of Leipzig: opportunities and concerns of the residents!

The southern room Leipzig has been in profound changes for decades. In particular, the structural change in the region, which was once the center of lignite mining and the chemical industry, shapes the life realities of the people living there. While only the open-cast venue and united Schleenhain are currently in operation, many former lignite mines have adopted new functions as recreation, tourism and industrial areas, such as the Zwenkauer See. The challenges and opportunities associated with these changes are currently being highlighted by a study by Fraunhofer ISI, which is part of the Genesis project funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK). L-iz reports that this study has examined the perspectives of people on site and that the opinions recorded the opinions of qualitative.

The Genesis project, which will be continued greatly by the end of 2027 as part of federal funding, is based on a data -based approach to accompanying structural change in the Saxon lignite, including the Central German region. Scientists cooperate: inside of various institutions to develop evidence -based solutions for the exit of the coal and to create transparency about developments in the areas. The study identifies five different positions of the population on structural change:

• Resilient-zuversichtlich: Der Strukturwandel wird als Chance für eine nachhaltige Zukunft betrachtet.
• Besorgt-kritisch: Es gibt eine Skepsis gegenüber den Veränderungen und einen starken Wunsch nach Sicherheit.
• Humanistisch-pragmatisch: Hier werden die Herausforderungen der Energiewende hervorgehoben.
• Gesellschaftliche Neuerung: Ein Fokus auf Teilhabe und sozial-ökologische Entwicklung.
• Industrieller Fortschritt: Der wirtschaftliche und technologische Fortschritt steht im Vordergrund.

Important recommendations and initiatives

The results of the examination are not statistically representative, but still offer a differentiated image of opinions. In view of this findings, the researchers formulate several recommendations for politics. This includes greater promotion of local projects, increased transparency about political decision -making processes and the simplification of bureaucratic processes. In addition, a participation-friendly administrative culture and the integration of young people are challenged by educational and cultural projects.

As part of the Genesis project, a data-based twin of the district is developed, which will be available to various target groups, such as the Saxon State Ministry of Regional Development (SMR) and interested citizens: inside. This is done not only to support projects and initiatives, but also to obtain overview and options for action for the people living in the region. Fraunhofer isi emphasizes that research sets fundamental approaches to support the structural change in the affected regions.