Joint strategy for housing, mobility and quality of life in the region
The science city of Darmstadt and the Darmstadt-Dieburg district intend to shape their future even more closely together. With the launch of the "Growth Plan 2035," a comprehensive planning process begins, designed to provide answers to key future challenges facing the region – from housing and mobility to climate protection, and on to the economy, education, culture, and social infrastructure.
“The future of our region does not end at administrative borders,” emphasize Darmstadt’s Mayor Hanno Benz and District Administrator Klaus Peter Schellhaas. The goal is to further develop the region as a shared living, working, and economic space.
The region is growing together
For many people, the city and surrounding district are already part of everyday life. They live in one municipality, work in another, and use leisure, cultural, or educational opportunities across municipal boundaries.
"For the people, it makes no difference which administrative border a problem or an opportunity lies on," explains Mayor Benz. Therefore, the region's development should be considered more collaboratively in the future.
District Administrator Schellhaas also sees this as a crucial step: "Many challenges can no longer be solved in isolation. With the growth plan, we are creating a common framework so that growth, quality of life and sustainability will continue to go hand in hand in the future."
Planning mobility, housing and infrastructure together
The growth plan builds on existing collaborations between the city and the district. These include, among other things, joint transport planning, the further development of public transport, and cooperation in schools, childcare, healthcare, and social services.
In the future, sports and culture will also be considered more regionally. Many clubs, sports facilities, and cultural institutions are already used by people from both the city and the surrounding district.
Strengthening the science and business location
A key focus of the growth plan is the further development of Darmstadt as a center for science and business. This includes commercial and research space, attracting skilled workers, and a sustainable integration of living and working spaces.
Those in charge see the region as one of the most dynamic economic and scientific areas in Germany. At the same time, the demands on housing, transport, energy supply and climate protection are increasing.
“Growth is an opportunity if it is actively shaped,” Benz and Schellhaas emphasize. The goal is a region with affordable housing, attractive jobs, efficient infrastructure, and a high quality of life.
Four steps to the year 2035
The growth plan is developed in several phases:
- Analysis of existing concepts and plans
- Development of a guiding vision for the urban region in 2035
- Development of a concrete action program
- Establishing lasting cooperation structures between the city and the district
The process is based on the growth conferences already held in 2024 and 2025, in which representatives from politics, business, science and civil society participated.
Citizens can participate in shaping the future
Public participation is a key component of the project. Citizens will be able to contribute their ideas and experiences through various event formats. In addition, a regional expert forum will be established with representatives from business, science, associations, and civil society.
“The best solutions arise where many experiences and perspectives come together,” explain Benz and Schellhaas.
Completion planned for the end of 2027
The first specialist forums and public events are planned to take place throughout the year. Further growth conferences will accompany the process.
The completion of the 2035 growth plan is scheduled for the end of 2027. Following this, the guiding principles and action program will be discussed and adopted by the political bodies of the city and district.
Further information and opportunities for participation will be published on the website of the city of Darmstadt, a city of science.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/ho)
