Rural Regions

The establishment of a ?Rural Regions Workgroup? was approved on 22 February 2011 at the board meeting of EMM e.V. The inaugural meeting took place on 22 July at the Munich district administrative office.

?The new ?Rural Regions Workgroup? is not intended as a separation, but as a way of helping define regional interests ? such as economic competitiveness and a fair quality of life for the region as a whole ? from a rural point of view, thereby contributing to the Munich Metropolitan Region?s overall common strategy,? said Rural District Councillor Johanna Rumschöttel at the inaugural meeting. The ?Rural Regions Workgroup? is headed by Hermann Steinmassl (Rural District Councillor, Traunstein) with deputyship by Stefan Rössle (Rural District Councillor, Donau-Ries).

?It is important that city and countryside see each other as partners, allowing for an intertwining of their respective strengths,? said Councillor Hermann Steinmassl during his keynote speech. The rural countryside offers much more than just a postcard landscape and a retreat for city people. For example, it also forms the basis of water and electricity networks, it defines the Bavarian image with its natural and cultural riches, and its strong economy offers many attractive work opportunities.

Councillor Stefan Rössle underlined the need to work together in meeting the challenges of changing demographics and skilled labour shortages. ?We may profit from the allure of Munich, but we can also contribute our own strengths too. For example, a major opportunity for rural areas will be in the energy revolution, which will be particularly focussed on the countryside.? According to Johanna Rumschöttel, it is also important for the workgroup to tap into existing networks and institutions, in order to utilize synergies and avoid the duplication of structures.

The ?Rural Regions Workgroup? is the sixth workgroup in the Munich Metropolitan Region association, EMM e.V. In the two-and-a-half years since the association?s founding, other workgroups dedicated to ?Economic Affairs?, ?Sciences?, ?Environment?, ?Mobility? and ?Culture and Sports? have also been established. EMM projects have involved nearly 400 players from the worlds of politics, business and science.

Contact person:

Hans Zott
Traunstein Rural District Administration
Regional Planning & District Development
Tel.: 0861/58-317
Hans.Zott@LRA-TS.Bayern.de

Angela Kerle

Donau-Ries Rural District Administration
District Development Office
Tel.: 0906/74-371
Angela.Kerle@lra-donau-ries.de