The informal and participatory processes play a significant role in the strategic planning. To enhance participation in the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Area, a pilot action drew inspiration from the best practice “Workshops/trainings delivered to members of Warsaw Metropolis Association,” developed by the City of Warsaw. Through interactive workshops the pilot action seeks to bridge the gaps identified in previous participation processes and strengthen metropolitan cooperation shaping the region’s strategic future.
The importance of the pilot action
For nearly 30 years, Berlin and Brandenburg have successfully collaborated on joint spatial planning. However, new challenges require a more participatory approach to stakeholders’ engagement. The Overall Strategic Framework for the Capital Region outlines seven strategic policies and 58 projects but leaves a room for an improvement, particularly in identifying new cooperation needs. The upcoming update of the document offers an opportunity to address the gaps through pilot action workshops.
The core of the pilot action
The workshops focus on two key themes:
1. Workshop: “White Spots”
The workshop is designed to identify overlooked cooperation opportunities (called “white spots”) and develop a structured plan to address them. Participants will first engage in an open brainstorming session to identify missing topics for upcoming cooperation. Once these gaps are identified, the focus will shift to selecting and prioritizing the key issues. Finally, the workshop will conclude with action planning, where participants will develop concrete actions to bridge these gaps and create a clear roadmap for future cooperation.
The process uses methods based on design thinking (world café discussions and breakout sessions). Participants include representatives from science, businesses, ministries, regional and local administration. The workshop aims to foster a well-founded collaborative environment, enhance strategic engagement, and broaden the range of potential cooperation topics.
2. Workshop: “Governance”
While joint governance structures exist in the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Area, they remain primarily political and lack key stakeholders from civil society, business, and research. This workshop aims to explore potential governance models that foster broader participation and more effective decision-making process.
The session will combine informal talks with structured discussions, insights from case studies of other metropolitan regions, SWOT analysis, and expert interviews. Participants include political and administrative representatives from Berlin-Brandenburg and other metropolitan areas in Germany and Europe. The workshop is expected to produce concrete governance models with clearly defined structures, business plans, and assigned tasks.
Innovativeness and transferability of the pilot action
The Berlin-Brandenburg pilot action broadens the stakeholder involvement beyond government bodies and incorporates new topics that were not previously considered.
The successful pilot action demonstrates the transferability of Warsaw’s model to Berlin-Brandenburg. Although adapted to the local needs, the fundamental principle remains the same: participation of a wide range of stakeholders strengthens the metropolitan governance and build trust between different sectors.
Results and next steps
The pilot action has raised awareness about informal planning tools and strategic principles. It has delivered a comprehensive workshop concept, including stakeholder identification and goal differentiation.
Conclusion
The pilot action is designed to have a significant impact on metropolitan governance. By updating the strategic framework and involving a wider range of stakeholders, it enhances metropolitan cooperation and decision-making processes. The “white spots” approach ensures that previously overlooked topics are brought into strategic discussions, creating a stronger metropolitan area. More information about the pilot action can be found here.