Towards better collaborations for more green space in Munich

How can innovative companies and the city administration work together to create a greener, more liveable city? This was the guiding question behind a networking workshop held on 13 May 2025 at Munich Urban Colab, organised as part of the JUSTNature project.

Over 50 participants took part, including representatives of start-ups, established companies and associations, and several departments of the City of Munich. The event brought together those working on urban greening, climate adaptation and biodiversity, participatory processes, and digital planning tools. Among them were Daxauer, TreeSense, Plan4Better, Hula Earth, SIER, and nonconform, who presented their diverse approaches in a series of short and inspiring pitches.

Participants then came together for a design sprint: a fast-paced, collaborative format aimed at identifying common challenges and ideas for future cooperation. Faciliated by Thomas Probst of Switzerland-based planning firm Planval, the discussions revealed a shared insight: what’s missing in Munich is a lasting platform for exchange. Across all groups, there was a strong call for a more permanent, open network where companies and the administration can get to know each other’s expertise and needs, share insights, and thus work together more effectively. Other challenges are buraucratic and intransparent procurement processes, lack of visibility for existing solutions, and uncertainty around long-term collaboration. One idea that was met with widespread enthusiasm: an informal, recurring meet-up to continue the exchange beyond the event itself.

The day was marked by openness, creativity and a shared drive to rethink how we plan and green our urban spaces. As Martin Laschewski from Freiraumviertel put it: “Giving up was anyway never an option!” The outcomes of the event will contribute to a strategy for better collaboration between the City of Munich and local actors around green, open space.

We hope the next conversation is already just around the corner, maybe at the new meet-up for urban greening! See you there?

// All photos by Marie Gaschler