Predicting Augsburg's Tomorrow
In the heart of Bavaria, the city of Augsburg is committed to sustainable development. Every six years, the "Future Guidelines for Augsburg" are reviewed and updated by the city society, with the latest iteration decided upon by the city council in November 2021.
These guidelines serve as a strategic framework, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They aim to promote sustainable action at all levels within the Augsburg region, integrating social, economic, and environmental aspects for comprehensive and balanced development.
The guidelines focus on three main dimensions: environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability. The first emphasises resource conservation and emission reductions, while the second focuses on equitable and inclusive growth. The third ensures sustainable business and innovation practices.
To monitor and evaluate progress towards these goals, a Sustainability Assessment tool has been developed. This tool incorporates indicators derived from the SDGs and local priorities, enabling transparent reporting and continuous improvement. It takes a holistic view, balancing ecological, social, and economic factors to guide decision-making and policy implementation effectively.
The "Future Guidelines for Augsburg" consist of 78 goals divided into four dimensions: Ecological Future Viability, Social Future Viability, Economic Future Viability, and Cultural Future Viability. The Ecological dimension focuses on climate protection, ecological mobility, energy and material efficiency, biodiversity, and natural living conditions. The Social dimension focuses on health, holistic education, safety, participation in society, and social balance. The Economic dimension aims to strengthen the location, connect living and working, operate in a community-oriented manner, sustainably generate and use finances, and sustainably develop and design areas and buildings. Cultural Future Viability includes recognising art and culture as essential, strengthening values, living diversity, strengthening participation and societal engagement, and showcasing Augsburg's strengths.
The implementation of these guidelines is a shared task among the city society, involving civil society, economy, city politics, and city administration. The city council has been using a "Sustainability Assessment" based on the future guidelines since 2017 to review city council resolutions.
For a more interactive approach, the "Augsburg Future Box" was developed in 2022. This analog-digital future vision game is designed to discuss current challenges of the future, particularly in schools and other educational institutions.
For more information about the "Future Guidelines for Augsburg" and the city's sustainability initiatives, visit www.nachhaltigkeit.unser-website.de. The third Augsburg Sustainability Report on the "Future Guidelines for Augsburg" was published in 2025. The report contains 88 indicators, providing a comprehensive overview of the city's progress towards its sustainability goals.
The "Future Guidelines for Augsburg" are a foundation for the sustainable development of the city, setting a strong example for other cities to follow in their pursuit of a greener, more equitable future.
- The 'Future Guidelines for Augsburg' in environmental-science reflect a commitment to sustainable living, encompassing reduction of emissions, resource conservation, and biodiversity protection, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- In the home-and-garden sector, the guidelines call for sustainable business and innovation practices, designing areas and buildings in a community-oriented and energy-efficient manner as part of the Economic Future Viability dimension.
- Following the update of the guidelines in November 2021, the city council has implemented a 'Sustainability Assessment', monitoring progress towards the goals and promoting transparency in policy implementation, in pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle and environment for the citizens of Augsburg.
