Medium-term cooperation for an in-depth exchange of experience and concrete planning processes

In the Deep Dive cooperation format, a small group of municipalities work intensively on an innovative topic over a period of around two years with the aim of achieving a concrete result (urban development strategy, draft legislation, action plan, etc.) for their own city. As with all other formats offered by Connective Cities, the focus is on the exchange of expertise. Although Deep Dive is part of Connective Cities' low-threshold engagement, it requires the willingness of participants to work together on a long-term basis.

An important difference to the other Connective Cities formats is the institutional involvement of the municipalities. The participating municipalities must agree to their experts being involved in a longer exchange and being available. Each municipality provides two to three participants at the start of the process. Depending on requirements, the participation of other stakeholders (universities, research institutions, NGOs, state governments, etc.) is also possible.

Deep Dive builds on specific case studies, is enriched with scientific contributions and includes two years of face-to-face events, expert missions, technical study tours, virtual formats and local workshops in the participating municipalities, for example to collect data, test planned processes or obtain feedback from stakeholders. The moderated planning process aims at the co-creation of locally-adapted solution options.