Infrastructure

The project aimed at improving the economic situation of the residents of the park’s support zone as well as identifying potential municipal utility projects, for which feasibility studies were to be carried out. The two goals are interdependent and possibly depend on one another: A blighted economy may not be able to pay for upkeep and depreciation of infrastructure, and unreliable municipal infrastructures are a major development constraint. The project team therefore, in equal measure, looked at support measures for the local economy and the selection of potential municipal projects. A document study was carried out and – so as to get a first-hand impression of the situation of enterprises, municipalities and their utilities as well as the economic and entrepreneurial potentials – about 80 structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. The findings were presented and discussed in a workshop to define objectives and measures for regional development.
A consensus on investments and accompanying measures was reached. Between 1999 and 2003, KfW made available in excess of DM 19m for the project. 2.5m Marks were invested in the park and around 16.7m Marks for infrastructure in its support zone. GOPA, Bad Homburg (Germany)