South Westphalia is perceived as a digitally smart rural region: This is a conclusion that Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH can draw from numerous conversations following the three-day Smart Country Convention in Berlin. Once again, the agency traveled to the capital with numerous examples from the REGIONALE 2025 and the model project “Smart Cities: 5 for South Westphalia” to illustrate the special quality of regional cooperation. Many actors from the region – such as from Arnsberg, Bad Berleburg, Menden, Iserlohn, Olpe, and Soest – also came to Berlin and strengthened “Team South Westphalia.”
The Smart Country Convention is considered the leading congress and trade fair for the future of digital administration and intelligent urban and rural development. It brings together tech providers and startups, as well as ministries, cities, and regions like South Westphalia.
Federal Minister Cem Özdemir visited the South Westphalia stand in Hall 25 and learned about how and on what municipalities in the region collaborate with each other, including through the model project “Smart Cities: 5 for South Westphalia.” “The trade fair is continuing to grow, just like the perception of the region. The way we work together in the region is highly valued,” said Hubertus Winterberg and Dr. Stephanie Arens of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH. What this South Westphalian approach looks like was presented by Smart City Project Manager Katharina Hogrebe during the supporting program at the Ministry for Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and together with her colleague David Bohlen at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
Part of the program: Two panel discussions at the South Westphalia stand
Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH also organized two panel discussions as part of the stand’s program. On the first day of the fair, interested attendees heard from Bernd Fuhrmann (Mayor of Bad Berleburg) and Dr. Roland Schröder (Mayor of Menden) about how well the division of labor works in the Smart Cities model project and how municipalities in the region can replicate successful projects. Examples mentioned included sensor technology to detect potential flooding early or intelligent lighting of crosswalks to increase pedestrian safety. Renate Mitterhuber, Head of the Smart City Department at the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building, praised the region for its chosen path during the discussion and encouraged the stakeholders to continue along this track.
The second panel discussion focused on South Westphalia’s economy. Representatives from four companies demonstrated where their products and technologies are used in everyday life. Participating were representatives from Gonicus GmbH in Arnsberg, Bechtle AG with locations in Siegen and Meschede, eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG in Wenden, and SpotAR from Soest. Outside the panel discussions, there were also numerous conversations with people interested in the South Westphalia region and its collaborative approach.
The South Westphalian evening in Berlin has become a regular fixture away from the hustle and bustle of the trade fair. This time, nearly 60 people who are committed to or interested in the region came together to exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere over food and drinks. The “get-together” will continue next year as well. Then, South Westphalia will once again present itself at the Smart Country Convention from September 30 to October 2, 2025.
REGIONALE 2025 is a structural program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is supported with funds from the urban development programs of the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.