The second largest district in Saxony-Anhalt will develop an innovative Strategic Regional Development Concept (SREK) under the motto "Future Region Börde District - Interdependent Area between Mining and High-Tech". The aim is to actively shape the transformation processes between the post-mining landscape and industrial dynamics through the "High Technology Park" (HTP) to be built in the east.
Utilising synergies: From Lappwaldsee to the high-tech park
The district is facing a historically unique situation: while in the west, the Helmstedt mining district and the emerging Lappwaldsee lake are transforming huge areas from the mining tradition into new leisure and energy areas, in the east, in Magdeburg's "bacon belt", state-significant industrial settlements with global appeal are being created.
"We are using this federal funding to massively strengthen our region's ability to act," explains District Administrator Martin Stichnoth. "The aim is to combine the potential of the vast arable land and natural areas with the requirements of modern high technology. We are creating a resilient unit made up of all 13 unitary and association municipalities - from Oebisfelde to Sülzetal."
Three cornerstones for the quality of life of citizens
The SREK places the reality of people's lives at the centre and focuses on three central fields of action:
Services of general interest:
Housing & identity:
Infrastructure & mobility:
Securing medical care and basic needs despite demographic change. The aim is to achieve equal living conditions between urban and rural areas by closing digital gaps.
Increasing the attractiveness as a residential location by linking regional building culture, monument preservation and modern, local workplaces (co-working/smart industry).
Optimisation of local public transport and transport networks to bridge the dispersion of the rural district. In addition, the Börde's key role in the national electricity grid expansion (Wolmirstedt hub) should be utilised for local value creation.
A network for the future
A decisive factor for the success of the project is the involvement of all regional stakeholders. Strengths and risks are assessed in a comprehensive SWOT analysis in order to develop a customised strategy. The district is working closely with the municipalities, the district council and external network partners.
The kick-off in March 2026 marks the beginning of a three-year phase of intensive planning and implementation, at the end of which the Börde will be a sustainable, resilient and economically strong region of the future.
The responsible department head, Dr Denis Gruber, attaches particular importance to the award from Berlin. He sees the funding not only as financial support, but also as setting a decisive course for the coming decades: "The federal "RegioStrat" programme comes at exactly the right time for the Börde district.
We are moderating a very exciting transformation process here. "These 450,000 euros enable us to act strategically beyond the scope of pure administration. We are thus creating the methodical basis for securing services of general interest in the area and at the same time remaining competitive as a state-of-the-art high-tech location. For me, this concept is the key to sustainably stabilising the quality of life of our citizens despite demographic pressure."
According to Dr Gruber, the primary goal is now to network the 13 unitary and association municipalities in such a way that no region is left behind. "The SREK is our roadmap for turning the spatial distances of Saxony-Anhalt's second-largest district into a strength through intelligent infrastructure," concluded the head of department.