Bregenz 2040: Co-Creating the City
“The interactive map has made the participation process visible and tangible - directly in the district, customizable, quite simply with Senf.”
As part of the “Bregenz 2040” initiative, the City of Bregenz is developing a comprehensive Spatial Development Plan (REP) to guide its future. The goal is to provide a strategic, long-term foundation for resilient and community-oriented urban planning. To ensure broad public involvement, a multi-phase participation process was implemented – with Senf serving as the central platform for digital engagement.
What Is REP Bregenz About?
The REP Bregenz project aims to create a visionary and legally binding framework for the city’s spatial development. Led by the City of Bregenz and supported by Raumposition GmbH, the process incorporates both political and civic perspectives. Citizens from all neighborhoods are invited to participate through digital and on-site formats. Senf supports the digital engagement component. The project targets the general public, fostering a co-creative approach to shaping Bregenz’s future.
Participation in Action – Online and On-Site
Participation is a central element of REP Bregenz, accompanying both strategic and regulatory planning phases. Citizens were involved through various formats: a digital ideas map via Senf, a mobile “dialogue bike” that toured four locations, and three participatory workshops in city districts. These formats ensured broad representation, encouraged transparency, and integrated local knowledge into the planning process.
How Senf Was Used in REP Bregenz
Senf was the main platform for digital engagement – easy to use, intuitive, and widely accessible:
- Dialog Map – Citizens marked favorite places, problems, and suggestions directly on an interactive city map
- Map-based Survey – Gathered input on quality of life, green space perception, district center improvements, and future visions
Digital Participation as a Strategic Tool
The digital engagement via Senf was a cornerstone of the REP Bregenz process. It enabled inclusive and accessible participation and delivered meaningful insights for planners and policymakers. These findings are being integrated into the planning framework and REP drafts. For future phases, the project team recommends enhanced media outreach and targeted engagement of additional stakeholders, such as administrative staff. Bregenz 2040 clearly illustrates how digital tools like Senf can support inclusive and evidence-based urban development.
