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The Berlin-Brandenburg region is actively advancing its "Smart City" and "e-government" initiatives through a strategic framework that emphasizes digital transformation, sustainability, and participatory governance.

SMART COUNTRY REGION BRANDENBURG:

Brandenburg is actively developing as a smart region through various initiatives and strategies aimed at digital transformation and e-government. Here is an overview of the key efforts and projects:

Smart Region Initiatives

• Model Projects for Smart Cities: Brandenburg hosts four federally funded "Model Projects for Smart Cities" in Guben, Bad Belzig/Wiesenburg Mark, Potsdam, and Cottbus. These projects focus on implementing digital measures to enhance urban living.

• "Meine Stadt der Zukunft" Initiative: This state initiative, now in its second phase, supports 15 municipalities in executing projects on integrated urban development with a strong emphasis on digitalization as a cross-sectional function.

• InNoWest Project: This collaborative project involves three Brandenburg universities and supports sustainable development and digital transformation projects.

• Digital Tools: Projects like BB-Navi and the Smart Village App demonstrate how digital initiatives can be accepted and scaled across regions.

Strategies for E-Government and Digital Administration

• Integrative Urban Planning: The strategy involves close cooperation between Berlin and Brandenburg to develop the region as a smart capital area. This includes integrative planning of urban development, public transport, energy supply, and other infrastructures.

• Digital Administration: Brandenburg is working on creating a fully digitized administrative process to minimize paperwork and streamline services for citizens. This involves using digital platforms to process applications and manage resources efficiently.

• Smart Infrastructure: The focus is on developing a digital ecosystem by networking urban data. This includes the use of dashboards for data visualization and the promotion of open-source solutions to benefit municipalities.

• Citizen Participation: The integration of citizens in the smart city development process is crucial. Initiatives are in place to involve residents in decision-making and to provide platforms for learning digital skills.

• Smart Mobility: Addressing mobility challenges, especially in rural areas, is a key component. Solutions like mobility hubs and parking apps are being developed to offer sustainable transport alternatives.

Collaborative Efforts

• Berlin-Brandenburg Cooperation: The strategy "Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin" emphasizes collaboration between Berlin and Brandenburg to enhance the region's smart capabilities. This includes joint urban development processes and the promotion of innovative ecosystems.

• Digital Sovereignty and Standards: The federal digital strategy supports the development of interoperable and secure digital solutions, aiming to influence international technical standards and promote digital sovereignty.

These initiatives and strategies reflect Brandenburg's commitment to becoming a leading smart region by leveraging digital technologies to improve urban living, enhance administrative efficiency, and foster citizen engagement.

SMART CITY BERLIN

• Berlin Livable Smart

As part of the second phase of the "Model Projects Smart Cities" program by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building (BMWSB), Berlin was selected in September 2020 as one of 32 model projects nationwide to receive funding. A total of 86 cities, districts, and municipalities, as well as intermunicipal cooperations from across Germany, applied for the BMI’s call for proposals. The theme of this funding phase was "Common Good and Network City/City Network," and the title of Berlin's application was "Berlin Livable Smart."

• Together Digital: Berlin

“Together Digital: Berlin” is a fusion of the Berlin Digital Strategy and the Smart City Strategy. The Digital Strategy contributes the implementation expertise, while the Smart City Strategy complements it with a vision for Berlin—integrating urban development and digitalization.

• Our Network SMART CITY BERLIN

The Smart City Berlin network is a cross-sector alliance of more than 160 stakeholders from business, science, research, and administration. We see ourselves as initiators, idea generators, and bridge builders for the further development of Berlin into an intelligent, innovation-oriented, citizen-focused, and future-proof city.