In August 2025, the 96 cities and municipalities in the Dresden region were given the opportunity to submit their wishes, ideas, and requirements regarding the goals, content, and activities of a planned Dresden municipal association. Contributions could be submitted via a questionnaire on the Saxony participation portal. The results were presented to the Dresden region steering group on September 4, 2025.

Ms. C. Paulo will be supporting the Erlebnisregion office in developing a new form of inter-municipal cooperation in the Dresden region from July 1, 2025. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration.

The development of the semiconductor industry in the northern part of Dresden is already having a significant impact on the housing market in Dresden and the surrounding region. With around 3,000 to 4,500 new jobs expected to be created in the chip industry and related supply chains in the future, the region anticipates not only a strong economic boost but also a further influx of national and international workers and skilled personnel.

Against this backdrop, the 3rd Regional Housing Conference took place on May 12, 2025. The event focused on current developments in the region's housing market and presented an analysis of housing potential commissioned by the state capital Dresden in collaboration with the Erlebnisregion. The study examined the housing potential and its activatability (living space and vacancies) for more than 70 cities and municipalities in the region and compared it with accessibility to Dresden's northern region.

Local stakeholders from the Dresden region and representatives from the state government, the housing industry, and academia then exchanged views on current developments and challenges.

Following a tender process, CIMA – Institute for Regional Economics, Hanover, was commissioned to conduct a study on labor and skilled workers as well as population development in the Dresden region. Initial results are expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The state capital Dresden and surrounding municipalities, with the support of the Free State, have launched the project “Intensifying Cooperation for the Development of the European Semiconductor Location Dresden Region,” which aims to strengthen institutional cooperation among municipal actors.

On Monday in Dresden, Minister President Michael Kretschmer and State Secretary Barbara Meyer of the State Ministry for Regional Development presented a grant notification in the amount of €329,892.67 to the municipal leaders. The funds for promoting intermunicipal cooperation are provided through the Regional Development Funding Guidelines.

Media release from the Saxon State Government dated October 28, 2024

On August 8, 2024, the mayors of the Dresden region unanimously decided to initiate increased regional cooperation to develop the Dresden region as a European semiconductor location. As a first step, several analyses will be commissioned with funding from the Free State of Saxony to assess the impact of the rapid developments in the semiconductor industry in northern Dresden on the surrounding area and to jointly overcome the challenges.

With the construction of a factory by the world's largest semiconductor company TSMC, the planned expansion of existing microelectronics companies, and the corresponding supplier industry and service companies, a semiconductor location of European significance is emerging in the northern part of Dresden. In this context, an influx of skilled workers and population growth in the Dresden region are expected.

By mid-2025, the potential residential building land in the region is to be determined and compared with the expected influx of workers and the associated population development. In addition, all vacant commercial land in the region measuring at least five hectares will be recorded. The aim is to provide an overview of whether and to what extent further residential and commercial areas can and must be developed.

A steering group and a task force will be formed in the Erlebnisregion Dresden to support the planned investigations and necessary coordination. The two committees will work to develop, coordinate, and establish a permanent cooperation structure for the Dresden region in order to meet future challenges.

Dresden's mayor, Dirk Hilbert, sums it up: “Two weeks before TSMC breaks ground, the decision is an important signal from the region.” Dr. Ralf Müller, spokesperson for Erlebnisregion Dresden, adds: “The goal is for all municipalities and cities to participate in the growth effects of the settlement.”

To finance the project, the Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development has announced funding under the Regional Development Funding Guidelines until the beginning of 2026. The municipalities surrounding the Dresden Experience Region, the three neighboring districts, and the state capital Dresden will jointly contribute their own shares.