North Saxony is the most thinly populated district in the Free State of Saxony with a population density of less than 100 inhabitants per square kilometre. But it has the spatial proximity to the growing regional centre Leipzig and the regional and supra-regional arterial roads through the district. This is the reason why North Saxony has considerable potentials for development. However, due to age- and gender-selective migration of young adults the demographic situation of many municipalities is problematic.

The project aimed to collect and analyse the consequences of demographic change in the different planning areas of the administrative district North Saxony. Furthermore it served to examine the chances, which arise from the growing city Leipzig. Therefore we wanted to reveal ways to overcome the trisection of the district: since 1990 North Saxony started to divide into growing hinterland councils, municipalities along the supra-regional road-axis, as well as in ageing and shrinking rural-peripheral subspaces.

Based on population analyzes and surveys, a set of recommendations on five strategic goals was developed:

• Establishment of a welcoming culture to safeguard and increase the attractiveness of rural areas
• Strengthening of local self-government and expansion of the (financial) flexibility of the cities and municipalities situated in the administrative district
• Improving the accessibility and security of public services
• Consolidation of local ties and increase of national reputation
• Establishment of a new culture of volunteering and citizen participation

Results/Publications

The project results are documented in the final report (German only) and summarized in a short version (German only). They are a basis,  from which scenarios about future development trends can be developed and future strategies for a sustainable spatial development in all subspaces of the district can be derived.