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Future visions for Ingolstadt: Young people are shaping change!
Eleventh graders from the Katharinen-Gymnasium explore future visions for their city in a workshop at the UNI KU Ingolstadt.
Future visions for Ingolstadt: Young people are shaping change!
On July 17, 2025, the eleventh graders from Katharinen-Gymnasium Ingolstadt took part in an interactive workshop at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. The workshop entitled “Transformation Ingolstadt: Shaping the Future” was led by Prof. Dr. Harald Pechlaner, an expert in transformation processes, and Valentin Herbold from IFG Ingolstadt. The aim was to promote exchange between young people and experts about the future visions for Ingolstadt.
The event, which particularly focused on the topics of digitalization, mobility and cultural diversity, highlighted the students' concerns. Many reported a decline in leisure opportunities in their city and expressed a desire for new offerings. In addition, a lack of bus connections and an inadequate mobile phone network were discussed, which were perceived as obstacles to modern urban development.
Review of the city's history
Valentin Herbold presented historical changes in Ingolstadt during the workshop. The change from a university town to a military town and finally to an automobile town was discussed. Herbold emphasized that these transformations had enriched Ingolstadt and that dealing with current changes was crucial for the city's future growth.
In groups, the students worked out how the areas of digitalization, mobility and multiculturalism could influence Ingolstadt. A central result of this group work was the realization that the attractiveness of a location depends largely on the ability to shape change. Professor Pechlaner emphasized that a fulfilling cultural life is an essential basis for the economic stability of a city.
Regional Transformation Conference
Dr.-Ing. Christof Messner presented the “Transformation Master Plan”, highlighting the role of the IN-Campus as a driver of innovation. Josef Schmidt pointed out the importance of high technology and digital innovation for the region's competitiveness. The need for long-term cooperation and stable framework conditions was also discussed in order to meet the challenges in the areas of securing skilled workers, digitalization and economic change.
Urban transformation in context
The topics of these workshops and conferences are part of a larger discourse on urban transformation. The term describes deep, structural changes that are triggered by a variety of influencing factors such as political, economic, technological and social developments. Digitalization and climate change in particular have significant impacts on urban transformation processes.
The UN's 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals provides a normative framework for these transformations. One focus, Goal 11 (SDG 11), focuses on the development of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. The challenges arising from dynamic, complex changes require a proactive and responsive approach to urban development.
The events in Ingolstadt make it clear that the future of the city can and must be actively shaped. Both the needs of young people and the requirements for sustainable urban development must be taken into account in order to ensure harmonious coexistence and a high quality of life.
Information about these developments and their significance can also be found on the website Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt.business and Abes online.