Eight German research networks in the campaign “Shaping the Future – Building the City of Tomorrow” of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will be meeting high-ranking Chinese urban development experts from government, research and science at the International Forum on Sustainable Development in Shanghai on 15 May 2018 to engage in an exchange of experience on strategies and technologies for the sustainable development of rapidly growing cities.
The results of the German networks’ international research and development collaborations – funded by the BMBF under the current campaign since 2017 – are eagerly awaited. The aim of the networks’ collaborative projects is to make the cities of the world more liveable, promote their sustainable and efficient development and thus make them cleaner and healthier.
Low-emissions energy storage solutions, digital tools for sustainable traffic management, and integrated planning
The spotlight is on energy storage solutions such as the low-emissions redox flow batteries from the USCC network (Jena University) which could help China achieve its ambitious goals in the development of renewable energy in a sustainable, secure way and at low cost.
There has also been a lot of buzz about the digital tools for better urban mobility and effective, sustainable traffic management by the network GIP2CHINA (DLR). These tools have helped the metropolis of Huainan and other cities in China to cope with their traffic and environmental Problems.
Integrated planning cultures – typical in Germany but still in early development in China – are generally considered to be the most effective route to sustainable urban development in China. However, current international pilot projects by the GENIUS network (Stuttgart University) have focused on the planning of sustainable school buildings in China and shown that new approaches in planning practice can point the way to sustainability and high profits. Investments in integrated planning guarantee more success in sustainable urban development than purely technological Upgrades.
China shows great Innovation drive in sustainable urban development
As the world’s most populous country, China has around 100 megacities in a state of rapid development. There are major challenges to be addressed in sustainable urban development, but China is showing signs of growth in creative innovation. Engaging in research partnerships on equal terms stimulates the bilateral exchange of experience and also has the potential to strengthen Germany’s competitiveness in various different technologies in the smart city context.
The researchers from Germany also hope to gain vital input from the multi-day field trips which follow the international forum. Destinations include Shanghai International Auto City and the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park.
Final phase of the “Shaping the Future – Building the City of Tomorrow” campaign
The International Forum on Sustainable Urban Development taking place in collaboration with Tongji University and the multi-day field trips in China comprise the final phase and yet another highlight of the current “Shaping the Future – Building the City of Tomorrow” international research marketing campaign by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The campaign has provided ten excellent research networks a platform on which to present their innovative projects for sustainable urban development in China as well as Colombia, India, Vietnam and the USA, and to network with strong partners worldwide.
The next international campaign starting in 2019 will be devoted to the future of work and will call upon progressive research networks to showcase their innovations in three select target countries.
Research in Germany – Land of Ideas
The campaign is part of the BMBF’s Research Marketing Alliance and is firmly embedded as an important measure in the Federal Government’s Internationalization Strategy. The aim is to further enhance Germany’s reputation as an attractive country for education, research and innovation under the heading "Research in Germany" and to highlight opportunities for partners abroad to access Germany’s strong research base. The DLR Project Management Agency manages the international campaign on behalf of the BMBF.
DLR Project Management Agency
The DLR Project Management Agency specialises in services for the funding of research, innovation and education. As one of Germany’s largest project management agencies, it supports German state and federal ministries in implementing research funding programmes and operates on behalf of the European Commission, foundations and associations.
