Understanding and Using Place Identities

An Opportunity for Future-oriented Regions

authored by

Daniela Kempa, Sebastian Krätzig, Barbara Warner, Sylvia Herrmann, Jens Ibendorf, Falco Knaps, Roswitha Kirsch-Stracke, Milena Merling, Gesine Tuitjer

Abstract

The ‘Zukunftsdiskurs’ (future discourse) "Understanding and using place identities - an opportunity for future-oriented regions" (short title “Zukunftsdiskurs Place Identities”) has taken up and continued the debate on the foundations, goals and characteristics of regional identities. In workshops, actors in spatial planning and development, as well as scientists, discussed the topics of regionalization, regional development, place identities and attachments to 'Heimat' (homeland). The aim was to identify innovative approaches for regional development by considering place identities and developing practical implementation guidelines. The 'Zukunftsdiskurs' thus addressed the following objectives, • to point out identity-generating characteristics and their further development as an important prerequisite for the profiling of regions, • to use the knowledge of these potentials for regional change processes and • to make the debates about identity, 'Heimat' and participation more objective. Regionalization as a process of cooperative regional formation is not a foregone conclusion. However, if regional identity is discussed and made manageable for planning practice, regional development can take targeted action to shape regions in a future-oriented manner. The identification with one's region, the willingness to participate in planning processes and the understanding of joint and progressive territorial development are essential effects that the 'Zukunftsdiskurs' supports.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Environmental Planning
Spatial Planning and Regional Development

External Organisation(s)

ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association
Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries

Type

Commissioned report

No. of pages

22

Publication date

29.06.2023

Publication status

Published

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.15488/14014 (Access: Open)