The city of Dresden, together with the surrounding communities, i.e. the Dresden region, has undergone extremely dynamic development over the past 30 years. Economically, the city and the Dresden region have developed into a microtechnology location and center of semiconductor production of national, European, and even global importance. This trend continues with the relocation of large companies and the planned expansion of companies already established in Dresden.
The establishment and expansion of several companies, particularly from the semiconductor industry, in and around Dresden is leading to a considerable need for development. In order to meet the associated challenges, cooperation at the intermunicipal level is necessary. The plan is to establish permanent regional structures. Initial location analyses are currently being carried out, which will serve as a basis for conceptual decisions.
Aktuelle Meldungen
Regional conference launches the Dresden Region Local Authority Association
The launch is planned for 2027
The Dresden region is in the process of establishing a joint municipal association. At the regional conference titled “Working Effectively Together—Toward a Dresden Regional Municipal Association,” the participating municipalities, the Free State of Saxony, as well as representatives from the business community and various associations, discussed the current status of the project and the next steps. The focus was on how the municipalities can make their cooperation more binding and further develop it in the future.
Dresden: A Region on the Rise, Current Challenges
The dynamic growth of the semiconductor industry in northern Dresden is strengthening the region’s position as an internationally significant hub for microtechnology and a European center for semiconductor production with global reach. At the same time, demands are growing in the areas of mobility and infrastructure, housing, and industrial and commercial space. Greater cooperation is intended to help pool potential and further develop the region as an innovative, competitive, and livable economic hub.
Against this backdrop, 21 cities and municipalities in the informal network “Erlebnisregion Dresden 2024” have initiated enhanced intermunicipal cooperation to strengthen the region’s position as a European semiconductor hub. This cooperation is set to expand. Nearly 100 cities and municipalities in the districts of Bautzen, Meissen, Central Saxony, and Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains, as well as the state capital Dresden, are involved. This will allow regional interests to be consolidated and joint solutions to be developed.
“Seizing Opportunities Together”
“Close cooperation with the cities, municipalities, and districts around Dresden has been a priority for me for years. By establishing a municipal association, we aim to formalize this cooperation in a way that enables us to jointly seize the opportunities ahead and successfully overcome the associated challenges. Given the large number of stakeholders involved, the founding process will certainly not be easy, but the progress made so far on this path makes me optimistic that we will succeed.”
Mayor Dirk Hilbert
“Working Together Effectively—that’s an apt title for today’s event and also the right vision for the municipalities and the region. Because that’s exactly what regional cooperation is all about: The tasks—and also people’s expectations of a functioning administration—don’t stop at the borders of a municipality, city, or county. Dresden benefits from its surrounding area, and the surrounding area benefits from Dresden. The Dresden region has developed into an internationally significant hub for science, technology, and business, and this momentum continues. That is why it is both right and important for the region to come together even more closely. This involves solid cooperation among municipalities, creating optimal conditions for commuters, fostering shared economic and labor markets, and—last but not least—sharing infrastructure. I am firmly convinced that the approximately 250,000 euros from our Regional Development Funding Guidelines will provide excellent support for the municipalities’ efforts. Ultimately, this funding will benefit the people of the region because they stand to gain from improved cooperation among the municipalities. What more could we, as the state government, ask for? For the steps that lie ahead, I wish all those involved productive and fruitful discussions.”
Regina Kraushaar, Saxon State Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
During the conference, Kraushaar presented a grant notification for 253,475 euros from the Regional Development funding program. The funds will be used to support the ongoing process leading up to the planned establishment of the municipal association in 2027.
“Municipal cooperation is a process that strengthens mutual trust and is both desired and supported by the Free State. By understanding the challenges faced by their partners and developing joint strategies to address them, all municipalities in the association can raise their profile and develop more effectively.”
Dr. Ralf Müller, spokesperson for the Dresden Experience Region and mayor of the city of Dohna
Shared Interests Despite Different Starting Points
The future collaboration will focus on mobility, urban development, housing, and industrial and commercial development. The significance of these topics for the region is also evident from the project’s progress to date: Among other things, the study examined the effects of growth in the semiconductor industry on labor force and population trends, as well as housing potential in the region.
In a panel discussion, Tilo Lindner, Second Deputy Administrator of Meissen District; Dirk Hilbert, Mayor of the state capital Dresden; Markus Dreßler, Deputy Mayor of the City of Pirna, Barbara Lüke, Mayor of the City of Pulsnitz, and Falk Hentschel, Mayor of the Municipality of Ebersbach, discussed different starting points, shared challenges, and expectations for the future municipal association.
It became clear that, despite differing starting points, there are numerous shared interests and goals. In particular, the exchange of different perspectives was highlighted as an important foundation for joint and sustainable solutions in the region. The regional conference also included information on opportunities to participate in BUGA 2033.
Letters of Intent as the Next Step Toward Formation
By November 2026, the political bodies of the participating municipalities and counties are to deliberate on the planned collaboration and a joint letter of intent. The signing of this letter is intended to lay the foundation for the planned establishment of the Kommunalverbund Region Dresden e. V. in 2027.
The remainder of the formation process will be led by Erlebnisregion Dresden in collaboration with the working group and the steering committee. Subsequently, the structure and financing will be finalized, and the association’s bylaws will be drafted.
(This is an automatic translation by DeepL Translator.)
Studies carried out as part of the Dresden Region project are available online
The results of the study on the workforce and skilled labor, as well as population trends; the analysis of housing potential; and the feasibility study on the municipal association are now available online.
Since June 2026, the studies on the labour force and skilled workers, as well as on demographic trends (CIMA Institut für Regionalwirtschaft GmbH), the analysis of housing potential (KEM Mitteldeutschland GmbH) and the feasibility study (Erlebnisregion Dresden) have been available online on the website under the ‘Studies’ section.
