As part of the project “Dialogues for Urban Change” (D4UC), bgh. Gauly & Volgmann supports innovative peer learning formats between German municipalities and partner cities in South Africa and Ukraine. The project, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) and implemented by GIZ, promotes international dialog on sustainable, integrated urban development.
Our contribution
bgh. Gauly & Volgmann supports the conception and implementation of the international learning networks. In each of these networks, up to twelve cities work closely together over a period of 24 months. The participating municipalities contribute concrete projects as case studies and advise each other on their implementation. Sustainable partnerships and solutions are created through a combination of face-to-face workshops, on-site assignments and virtual consultations.
Current developments
German-South African network
In September 2024, the 6th network meeting of the South African-German Learning Network for Integrated and Safe Neighborhoods took place in Ludwigsburg. 35 participants from both countries came together to discuss current challenges and potentials of urban development. The focus of the event was peer-to-peer consultation on issues of integrated and community-oriented urban development based on eight real-world laboratories from the participating cities. These deal with the revitalization of inner cities and district centers as well as the creation of liveable and safe public spaces.
The network is characterized by its multi-level dialogue. It brings together representatives from the municipal level (KwaDukuza, Nelson Mandela Bay, uMhlathuze, Stellenbosch, Karlsruhe, Ludwigsburg, Nuremberg and Bottrop), the municipal umbrella organizations (SALGA, SACN, Deutscher Städtetag) and the relevant ministries of both countries (CoGTA, BMWSB, Department of Human Settlements and National Treasury).
German-Ukrainian network
The German-Ukrainian peer-to-peer learning network was launched in Leipzig in September 2023. In light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the network supports Ukrainian colleagues in the reconstruction and transformation of their cities. The focus is on practical solutions for acute challenges such as housing internally displaced persons and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Further network meetings took place in Berlin and Potsdam in March 2024 – in conjunction with the “Urban Development” pre-conference for the Ukrainian Reconstruction Conference – and in Mannheim in October 2024.
The German-Ukrainian network also focuses on multi-level dialog. Representatives from municipalities (Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Poltava, Ivano-Frankivsk as well as Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Berlin, Leipzig, Freiburg and Potsdam), the leading municipal associations (Association of Ukrainian Cities, German Association of Cities) and the responsible ministries (MinRestoration – Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction) are involved.
Impact
The knowledge gained flows directly into the national urban development policy of the participating countries. Through the close involvement of authorities and city associations, the results are multiplied beyond the circle of participants. The project examples and lessons learned are regularly presented at important specialist conferences such as the Federal Congress on National Urban Development Policy.
The project builds on the successful work of previous learning networks with partners in the USA, South Africa and Ukraine. It makes an important contribution to the implementation of the “New Leipzig Charter” for sustainable European urban development.
Commissioned by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Period: 2021 – 2026