“Metropolitan regions in Germany : The case of the Saxon Triangle Metropolitan Region”

Abstract: Over the last two decades, the number of “metropolitan regions” in Germany has increased and major attention is paid to these regions. From the North to the South, several cities and their hinterland have positioned themselves as “metropolitan region”. But what does this term actually mean, what is the scope and how effective are metropolitan regions in practice? This thesis analyses the development, importance and influence of metropolitan regions in Germany with special consideration of the East-German metropolitan region Saxon-triangle. The thesis assesses main reasons for past and current structural differences in the economic, cultural and historic development of the Saxon-triangle and compares these initial findings with the West-German region of Hannover – a region that is similar in terms of size, population and other basic indicators. To generate a comprehensive view and to define a proposal for the future strategy in a European environment, this thesis uses an approach around four distinct criteria: decision-making and controlling-, challenge and innovation-, gateway-, and symbol functions. Based on this approach, strengths but also major weaknesses of the Saxon-triangle are identified. While the Saxon-triangle generally shows a strong setup in the challenge and innovation function – with a particularly high density of universities and research institutes –, the gateway- and decision-making and controlling function are major development priorities of the re-gion. This thesis will conclude with some innovative ideas – like metropolitan governance and an increased collaboration between the cities – that may serve as key levers for an accelerated development and that may allow the region to catch-up to its peer regions in western Germany.