The Action Plan was developed using the outcomes of the MECOG-CE, in particular the Strategy for Strengthening Metropolitan Cooperation and Governance in Central Europe. According to the Strategy’s recommendations, many aspects of metropolitan governance in the Stuttgart Region are already well established through the institutional framework of the Verband Region Stuttgart (VRS), established in 1994.
VRS operates with a clearly defined political decision-making system through the Regional Assembly, which is directly elected by citizens every five years. The organisation also benefits from a stable financial structure based on legally defined levies and allocations. Its responsibilities cover key metropolitan policy areas such as regional planning, regional public transport, landscape planning, economic development, tourism development and waste management.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are also well developed. VRS has recently introduced an online data dashboard that tracks key indicators related to labour markets, demographics, economic performance, innovation, energy transition and social infrastructure across the region, providing an important evidence base for regional policy and planning.
At the same time, potential for further development can be identified in stakeholder involvement, participatory approaches, and the use of new technologies. To address this, the Action Plan defines four major actions designed to improve the process of preparing the new Regional Plan.
1. Development of new digital planning instruments
The Action Plan foresees the creation of a digital twin of the Stuttgart Region – a dynamic virtual representation of the region connected to real-world data. This tool will enable the observation, simulation and analysis of spatial development processes, supporting evidence-based planning and more informed decision-making.
2. Structured stakeholder engagement in goal definition
The Action Plan also emphasizes the active involvement of municipal stakeholders, technical authorities, and external experts in the elaboration of Chapter 1 of the updated Regional Plan, which defines the overarching objectives and principles. Stakeholders will be engaged through a series of workshops supported by external moderation. Participatory methods such as world café discussions, round tables and mapping exercises will be used to facilitate dialogue and ensure a collaborative approach to defining the regions’ strategic priorities.
3. Organisation of a public Citizens’ Forum
Citizen participation will be reinforced through the organisation of a public citizens’ forum. This forum will provide an open platform where residents can learn about the update of the Regional Plan, exchange views and engage in discussion with decision-makers. The aim is to ensure transparency, include diverse perspectives and support the joint development of solutions for the future development of the Stuttgart Region.
4. Innovative Metropolitan Prototyping for current metropolitan challenges
Finally, the Action Plan introduces the use of Innovative Metropolitan Prototyping, a tool developed within the MECOG-CE project. This flexible participatory tool allows a broad range of stakeholders to jointly explore, develop, and test practical solutions on a local level for strategically important topics before integrating them into formal metropolitan policy.
Conclusion
Together, these actions will contribute to the preparation of an updated Regional Plan that reflects current development trends while strengthening collaborative metropolitan cooperation. By combining institutional stability with new participatory and digital approaches, the Stuttgart Region aims to enhance strategic planning capacity and ensure sustainable development for a dynamic living and economic space.