Like air and water, land is a non-renewable resource and forms the foundation for our living, working, and leisure activities, as well as for a climate-resilient city. In light of rising land prices and rents, as well as the influence of international financial markets, the issue of land is also becoming key to sustainable and socially just urban development in the state capital of Wiesbaden.

Concept-based planning processes serve as a management tool that is now used by many municipalities to specifically foster social, ecological, and architectural qualities. In this process, selected municipal land parcels are awarded to the best idea for the neighborhood, rather than to the highest bidder. Can these principles also be applied in Wiesbaden? What criteria should be used to allocate municipal land in Wiesbaden?

At the invitation of host Gert-Uwe Mende, Mayor of the state capital of Wiesbaden, renowned experts gathered on June 17, 2021, to discuss policy options for an active land and real estate policy that will ensure Wiesbaden remains a great place to live in the future. Insights and contributions to the discussion came from

• Prof. Elisabeth Merk, Director of Urban Planning for the City of Munich
• Prof. Dirk Löhr, University of Trier
• Former Mayor Ulrich Maly, Nuremberg
• Ulrich Soldner, the mayor’s representative for regional networks and land strategy, City of Ulm
• Carolin Holzer, Z.WO Cooperative
• Camillo Huber-Braun, Director of the City Planning Office

in conversation with moderator Prof. Klaus Overmeyer from the Urban Catalyst office.