The Global Project “Cities Fit for Climate Change” (CFCC) is based on the new challenges that climate change imposes to cities worldwide. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is working together with its partners in Germany as well as in three partner countries: Chile, South Africa and India. The aim of the project is to develop integrated climate-friendly urban development instruments and in that way to test innovative solutions for urban planning.

Bürogemeinschaft Gauly & Volgmann advises the global project on strategic and technical issues, and coordinates and manages several assessment and advisory missions in Durban (eThekwini) and  Santiago de Chile with the following focus:

• Conducting interviews with project partners and facilitating workshops with representatives of the cities´ administration and national ministries
• Preparation of reports including strategic recommendations for the pursuit of the project
• Continuous professional support and advice for the monitoring system

In addition, Bürogemeinschaft Gauly & Volgmann supported the project in the conception, research and implementation of a so-called source book as the central knowledge product of the project. Bürogemeinschaft Gauly & Volgmann advised the project on the development of a conceptual approach derived from the project results: the climate-proof urban development approach. The project experiences from Chennai, Durban and Santiago were prepared in a source book and supplemented by numerous other case studies from cities worldwide, which should serve as a resource and inspiration for local practitioners and decision-makers.

The source book is available online: https://www.giz.de/climate-proof-cities/#0

Commissioned by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Period: 2016 – 2018

German development cooperation supports the Republic of Serbia in various policy areas on its way to further rapprochement with the EU. In this context, one objective of the GIZ project on “Strengthening Municipal Land Management in Serbia” is to advise Serbian partner institutions on adapting spatial and urban development to EU guidelines and instruments.

In the third phase (2016-2018), the development of a National Urban Policy (NUP) in Serbia was a focus of the project.

Bürogemeinschaft Gauly & Volgmann (bgh.) was entrusted with the following services in this context:

• Supporting the Ministry in the elaboration of the guideline “Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia until 2030” as an instrument for strategic planning and management of urban development processes;
• Preparation and accompaniment of an expert information tour (FIR) on the National Urban Development Policy in Germany for high-ranking representatives of the national level;
• Preparation and presentation of a handbook for Serbian municipalities on integrated urban development concepts (“Integrated Urban Development Strategy – Guide for Cities and Municipalities”), in cooperation with Ratka Colic.

The handbook highlights the content and key steps in the process of developing local integrated urban development strategies, as well as the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation and early and broad participation. The insight into the most important national and European guidelines of integrated urban development as well as the monitoring indicators for the implementation of the “Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia until 2030” forms an overarching framework of the practical guide.

Commissioned by: AMBERO Consulting Gesellschaft mbH (on behalf of the GIZ project “Strengthening municipal land management in Serbia”)
Period: 2018

As part of the Indo-German cooperation, the Indian Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) and GIZ are cooperating in the “Inclusive Cities Partnership Program” (ICCP) project.

The aim of the cooperation is to promote sustainable and inclusive development. At the federal, regional and city level, strategies as well as concrete measures are to be catalyzed. Thus, they can contribute effectively to an inclusive and environmentally friendly improvement of the housing situation, with a focus on financially disadvantaged population groups. In this context, advisory missions took place in the Indian cities of Puri and Berhampur in February 2016 and May 2017, which were conducted, prepared and carried out by bgh. Thematic priorities and tasks:

• Presentation of integrated development strategies in Germany
• Analysis of the capacities for the implementation of urban planning approaches and concrete projects in individual city districts
• Consulting and strategic recommendations for the further course of the project

Commissioned by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Period: 2016-2017

The City of Halle commissioned the consortium formed by the Leipzig Urban Management Systems (u.m.s.) GmbH and bgh. between 2014 and 2015 with the implementation of a Leitbild (mission statement) workshop and the elaboration of a strategy paper in the context of the update of its Integrated Urban Development Concept (ISEK) hallesaale* 2025.

In addition to sectorial analyses, external expert opinions and a comprehensive participation process to determine the current state of urban development, it was necessary to draw conclusions and record them in the form of a mission statement and a city strategy down to the project level, including financing options. The strategy paper and the Leitbild workshop were considered as core elements  in the ISEK process.

The development process had several important components. For example, citizens’ conferences, specialist workshops and expert interviews were carried out in order to produce a holistic development of mission statements.

Commissioned by: City of Halle (Saale)
Cooperation partner: urban management systems (u.m.s.) GmbH
Period: 2014-2015

Between 2010 to 2014, bgh. together with its cooperation partner Urban Management Systems (u.m.s.) GmbH worked in the planning, preparation and elaboration of an integrated urban development concept for the historical city center of Lviv. In addition to other tasks, it was important to identify suitable instruments for integrated urban development.

Main topics:

• Planning, preparation and elaboration of the action plan
• Organization of stakeholder involvement in the urban development process
• Documentation and public relations

Cooperation partner: urban management systems (u.m.s.) GmbH
Commissioned by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Period: 2010-2014

The Integrated Development Concept for the Old Town of Lviv, which was developed from 2009 to 2011 in an inter-departmental, interdisciplinary working group, concretizes the general objectives of urban development. It includes all important measures and projects for the development of the historic old town of Lviv until 2021. A distinction is made between ongoing projects, short, medium and long term planned measures as well as project ideas, which can be implemented depending on funding. The concept is implemented by the city administration, other public institutions and local actors in Lviv.

In the areas of heritage and housing; public space; transport and technical infrastructure; tourism and culture; economy and retail as well as social issues and education, measures and projects were defined. Despite the sectoral classification, there are close relationships and inter-sectoral interactions. Using and strengthening potential synergy effects is an important part of the strategic approach.

Public forum on integrated urban development concept in Lviv on 10.06.2010:

Commissioned by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Cooperation partners: Jens Gerhardt, Iris Gleichmann
Period: 2009-2011

The Georg-Schumann-Straße is a 4.5 km long road in the north-west of Leipzig, which reflects in a special way the problem of Leipzig’s major traffic axes. The shrinkage process that began after the reunification of Germany was particularly pronounced in the main traffic axes, including the Georg-Schumann-Straße. The consequences of emigration and the decline of urban infrastructures were noticeable for many years.

Based on this, the City of Leipzig decided to develop new instruments and “model projects” along the within the road. bgh was commissioned together with its cooperation partners to assist in the preparation of the model projects and to set up a neighbourhood management for Georg-Schumann-Straße. The aim was to create impulses and incentives for private investors and, at the same time, to find and test new solutions.

Commissioned by: City of Leipzig, Office of Urban Renewal and Residential Construction Subsidies (ASW)

Cooperation partners: StadtLabor, Tröger + Mothes GbR and DSK Deutsche Stadt- und
Real estate development mbH & Co. KG
Period: 2010

The Georg-Schumann-Straße concentrates the problems of major roads in Leipzig in a special way: The high traffic load and the associated impairments mean that the negative side effects of the urban redevelopment process in Leipzig can be found along the entire road.

To counteract the negative development tendencies, bgh. together with StadtLabor and the DSK Deutschen Stadt- und Grundstücksentwicklungsgesellschaft on behalf of the Office of Urban Renewal and Residential Construction Subsidies (ASW) developed the “Integrated Action Plan Georg-Schumann-Straße: Experimental Laboratory”.

The aim was to develop areas of specialization for public space by means of an integrated approach for the Georg-Schumann-Straße and to identify areas of spatial activity with exemplary model projects.

In addition, bgh worked. together with StadtLabor and DSK in the development of an urban development concept (rough concept) as the basis for the application for the funding programme “Active urban and district centers”.

Commissioned by: City of Leipzig, Office of Urban Renewal and Residential Construction Subsidies (ASW)
Cooperation partners: StadtLabor, Tröger + Mothes GbR and DSK German urban and real estate development mbH & Co. KG
Period: 2009

Based on the Integrated Urban Development Concept adopted in 2003, the concept was continued in 2008 and 2009 (“Integrated Urban Development Concept Housing Altenburg 2020”). The significance of the integrated concept becomes clear when looking at the framework conditions at the time of the update. For example, Altenburg recorded declining numbers of inhabitants, the worsening of which was foreshadowed by demographic trends; urban development was also influenced by difficult economic changes.

bgh. accompanied the process in cooperation Grunwald & Partner:

• Updating the general information
• Updating the housing market data and updating the analytic maps
• Development scenarios and forecasts
• Mission statement of the City of  Altenburg and goals until 2020
• Public participation procedures
• Editorial editing of results and reporting

Commissioned by: City of Altenburg
Cooperation partner: Büro Grunwald & Partner (since 2011: Grunwald & Grunwald, architecture and urban planning GbR)
Period: 2008-2009

The renewal area Kleinzschocher is located about 5 km southwest of the center of the City of Leipzig and is predominantly characterized by residential use. The former area can be divided into 3 parts: Historic center around the Taborkirche, Wilhelminian era housing stocks along the Dieskaustraße and area west of the Dieskaustraße. Increased investments in recent years have largely contributed to a significant improvement in the overall situation. Nevertheless, some areas continue to be characterized by dilapidated buildings and high vacancy rates. The need for action is also reflected in the concept “Leipzig 2020 – Integrated urban development concept” (SEKo) of the City of Leipzig.

On the basis of the strategic framework , the analysis of the current situation, identified problem areas and potential areas, spatial action priorities with an increased investment need were derived. By concentrating public investment, an initial effect was to be achieved which should trigger further private follow-on investments in the immediate environment and thus provide important impulses for the entire district.

As part of the updating of the renovation targets, bgh. provided the following services :

• Inventory and analysis
• Proposals for the further development and redevelopment of the area
• Specification and continuation of the renewal concept
• Communication, citizen participation and reporting

Commissioned by: City of Leipzig, Office of Urban Renewal and Residential Construction Subsidies (ASW)
Period: 2008