Innovation capacity in municipalities

Identifying solutions to almost all the major challenges facing towns and cities – ranging from climate protection and adaptation, the energy revolution and digital transformation, all the way to migration and integration – depends on various departments and sectors taking action together. A willingness to change and take risks, an error culture and open experimentation, all of which are characteristic of innovation processes, would appear to be in contrast to the model of rational administrative behaviour. However, the BMBF’s City of the Future projects offer various examples of novel ideas being put forward in municipalities.

This cross-cutting topic is particularly directed at municipal partners in the BMBF’s City of the Future projects. The objective is for them to learn from one another by sharing information and discussing successful approaches. In particular the design opportunities and creative power of urban administrations as drivers of innovation in urban transformation are being explored, and lessons learned passed on.