Resource landscape activation process - securing natural resources and using them sustainably
The use of natural resources in the Bergisches Rheinland is a focus of Regionale 2025, a structural program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Its aim is to further develop the structure of the more rural area on the right bank of the Rhine and to raise its profile within the Cologne/Bonn region. To this end, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district, the Rhein-Sieg district, the Oberbergisch district and the Regionale 2025 agency have jointly set themselves the goal of developing project approaches that secure the diversity of valuable natural resources typical of the Bergisches Rheinland and use them sustainably for new value creation in the region.
Developing specific projects
In order to bring together the relevant stakeholders and jointly initiate innovative model projects and new collaborations, the "Resource Landscape Activation and Transfer Process" project, which was funded by the NRW ERDF program, was implemented from the end of 2021 to the beginning of 2023. The aim was to develop specific projects and further develop projects that had already been included in the Regionale qualification process with a view to circular value creation, resource-conserving construction, sustainable water management, decentralized energy systems, green hydrogen and regional food.
Discussions on the use of resources
Discussions on the use of resources were stimulated and project ideas sharpened in various formats. These included, for example, stakeholder workshops, themed evenings, case workshops, excursions and resource camps with students. The highlight of the project was the congress "Alles Ressource! - Innovative and sustainable activation of the resource landscape of the Bergisch Rhineland" on November 4, 2022 as part of the interim presentation of Regionale 2025: around 200 visitors discussed how the Bergisch Rhineland can use its resources innovatively and sustainably at the former landfill site and current state-of-the-art research location metabolon in Lindlar.
Impulses for using local and regional potential
A total of over 50 project ideas were collected and then translated into six viable impulse projects for the Bergisches Rheinland. Once the process is complete, the Regionale 2025 agency and the three districts will support the further development and subsequent implementation of the six impulse projects by the 2025/26 presentation year. At the same time, the previous specialist discussions on relevant future tasks in the region will be continued.
The "Resource Landscape Activation Process" project has made an important contribution to unlocking local and regional potential. It has succeeded in developing a holistic awareness of regional resources such as energy, water and other raw materials as well as sustainable construction and the use of regional food.
