danzmann(at)stiftungzukunftberlin.eu
Phone: +49 (0)30 26 39 229-11
Hamburg-Berlin
Hamburg and Berlin are two Metropolitan Regions that could be the initiator of cultural, economic and social developments in northern Germany, both individually and acting in unison. Much like the earlier EU growth axis in Spain and France, the “growth triangle” Elbe-Spree-Oder could develop a unique beacon effect radiating across the entire northern Baltic region.
We wish to tap the largely unexploited potential for cooperation between the two cities, creating a model for cooperative relations between the capital and Germany’s regions. Unlike earlier attempts, this is a civil society initiative, driven by individual companies in Hamburg and Berlin.
A New Cooperation Model
This fresh initiative for improving cooperation between Hamburg and Berlin should not just seek to establish an institution or organization. Nor should it pursue abstract and purely societal goals. Instead, it should have concrete motivations and concrete objectives, against which the cooperation can be measured.
A regular exchange of ideas between Hamburg and Berlin – and joint strategies building on this – are conceivable in the following areas: media, entertainment, sustainability, tourism and transport as well as science and education. Specialized groups, each jointly chaired by a Hamburg and a Berlin company, should address the respective topics at joint meetings.
The two cities’ Chambers of Industry and Commerce and business promotion associations could assume an important supporting role in this process. The two cities’ companies must, however, remain in charge of cooperation. Private-sector initiative must have priority over public control.
Policy-makers are both potential partners and the possible target group for the results of this cooperation. The Stiftung Zukunft Berlin and its sponsors see themselves as facilitators and supporters of the overall idea of such cooperation between Hamburg and Berlin companies.