The center consists of five thematic areas and a cross-sectional project that connects the participating scientific disciplines. The themes are oriented towards the challenges that structural change regions have to master:
- Revitalization of regional innovation systems: How can a more innovation-friendly economic structure be promoted?
- Transformation arena labor market: What are the socio-structural impacts of changes in the labor market, and how can issues such as skilled labor development be constructively addressed?
- Social cohesion and participation: How can social cohesion, participation in social life, and the vibrancy of places be strengthened, with the aim of maintaining and improving regional quality of life?
- Designed living environments: What contributions can spatial and urban planning make to constructively dealing with collective identities in transformation regions, even in the context of transformation skepticism?
- Conflicts over democracy and migration: What conditions and design possibilities exist for a democratic everyday culture, for the design of inclusive education, and for the participation of migrants in Lusatia?
The centerpiece of collaboration with practical partners is the transfer platform. It consolidates data and knowledge in an open repository, publishes policy briefs, and organizes various regular formats in which administration, politics, associations, businesses, civil society, and research work together on solutions. Additionally, the "Future Forge Lusatia" is being created as an open forum for all interested parties.
"Structural change is often perceived as a source of uncertainty in affected regions. Especially in longer and recurring change processes, there is a transformation fatigue that also manifests itself in political reactance. The ZeStuR aims to understand this tension – between the great promises of change and skeptically assessed everyday experiences – and to explore approaches to successfully shape structural change nonetheless", says Prof. Dr. Jan Schnellenbach, Professor of Economics at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and Coordinator of the Center for Structural Change and Regional Development.
Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, President of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, emphasizes: "With the ZeStuR project, we strengthen the profile line "Global Change and Transformation Processes" at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and connect excellent research in the social sciences with solutions for the people in Lusatia. With ZeStuR, we intensify cooperative research between seven disciplines at BTU and the numerous actors in the region, which is exemplary for coping with structural change."
Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär highlights: "The change in the Lusatian region brings significant changes for the local people due to the exit from lignite-fired power generation. It is important to me that this change succeeds and that the existing opportunities are utilized. The research of the Center for Structural Change and Regional Development will now make an important contribution to this. It provides knowledge and orientation to strengthen cohesion and successfully shape change processes not only in Lusatia."