New contacts, construction projects and urban development were the focus
The science city of Darmstadt has drawn a positive conclusion after its participation in the Expo Real 2026 real estate and investment trade fair in Munich. With a newly designed exhibition stand, the city showcased its economic strengths, current development areas, and urban development projects. The focus was on discussions with investors and project developers, as well as new approaches to municipal construction.
The newly structured economic development agency had focused its booth concept more strongly on direct interaction with companies. Among other things, development opportunities on the hospital grounds in Eberstadt were presented. Using virtual reality, trade fair visitors could also gain insight into urban development projects such as the Ludwigshöhe district.
Joint appearance with partners from the region
Darmstadt presented itself jointly with the districts of Darmstadt-Dieburg and Groß-Gerau, the bauverein AG housing association, and the Sparkasse Darmstadt and Dieburg savings banks. The joint trade fair appearance was intended to highlight the cooperation within the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region and the connections between science, business, and administration.
Mayor Hanno Benz and City Treasurer André Schellenberg, who is responsible for municipal real estate management, held numerous talks with representatives of the real estate industry during the trade fair.
“Expo Real is not an end in itself for us, but a place where contacts turn into projects,” Benz explained. Several of the discussions are to be continued after the trade fair.
New opportunities for schools, daycare centers and sports halls
One focus was on how public construction projects can be implemented more quickly and economically in the future. This particularly concerned schools, daycare centers, sports halls, and administrative buildings.
Serial and modular construction methods using prefabricated components were discussed, as well as models where planning and construction are handled by a single source. Long-term operating and maintenance costs, as well as sustainability aspects, also played a role.
Such approaches could help the city to realize urgently needed infrastructure despite limited budgetary resources and planning capacities.
Growth plan 2035 and cooperation in the region
Mayor Hanno Benz participated in three discussion rounds of the FrankfurtRheinMain Metropolitan Arena. Topics included the digital resilience of southern Hesse, the growth of the region, and the future of city centers.
In a discussion with representatives of other municipalities, Benz presented the growth plan 2035, which was initiated jointly with the district of Darmstadt-Dieburg.
"Housing, commerce and mobility do not stop at administrative boundaries. Growth is an opportunity if we actively shape it together," the mayor emphasized.
Development of Darmstadt's city center as a topic
The future of Darmstadt's city center was also discussed at the trade fair. The focus was on investments by private companies and the question of how to combine retail, jobs, gastronomy, culture, and quality of life.
The city cited the "Town Hall" in the former Römer-Eck building and the acquisition of the Luisencenter by Darmstadt investors as examples. In addition, there is a strategy to relocate administrative offices more strongly to the city center. The town hall foyer is intended to serve as a central hub, attracting additional visitors to the city.
Further changes can be observed around Friedensplatz, where new restaurants and cafes have opened. Ernst-Ludwigs-Platz is currently being renovated.
Economic development should become more international
The new trade fair appearance is part of a broader realignment of Darmstadt's economic development agency. This also includes the first-ever participation in Gamescom in Cologne, together with the Games Hub, which was founded last year.
Immediately prior to Expo Real, a business delegation had also traveled to the American partner city of San Antonio to expand contacts with companies and institutions.
In the future, Darmstadt, in cooperation with FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH, also intends to make greater use of the Frankfurt trade fair location in order to attract investors and project developers to the business location.
“Darmstadt demonstrated at Expo Real that business, science, and urban development must be considered together,” concluded Mayor Hanno Benz and City Treasurer André Schellenberg. The insights gained will now be translated into concrete steps in collaboration with partners.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/ho)
