With Prof. Dr. Frank Eckardt, Susann Haase (Verbrauchergemeinschaft Dresden eG), Jessica Roitzsch (Volt), Stefan Engel (SPD) & Moritz Knobel (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) (in German)

"The very first Degrowth conference in Dresden" – with these words, Frank Eckardt, Professor of Social Science Urban Research at the Bauhaus University Weimar, described the educational festival and the concluding panel discussion. A recognition that carries weight, especially coming from a scholar who has been working on the concept of the "post-growth city" for years.
While the concept of degrowth often remains anchored in academic circles, this event offered an open platform for both newcomers and those with prior knowledge. The goal: to spark dialogue between experts, political decision-makers, and the public. On the panel were Susann Haase from the Dresden Consumer Cooperative (Verbrauchergemeinschaft Dresden e.V.), SPD politician for transport and urban development Stefan Engel, Green Party city councilor Moritz Knobel, and Professor Frank Eckardt. Representatives from all political factions were invited. Unfortunately, city councilor Jessica Roitzsch from Volt had to cancel her participation due to illness. The discussion was moderated by Kristina Krömer from metro polis e.V.

Even in the first few minutes of the discussion, it became clear how complex and multi-layered the topic of degrowth is. A single, unified definition was not reached—reflecting the challenges likely present in academic debates as well. The discussion focused on the central challenge of how it is possible to create an economy that is both ecologically sustainable and socially just, especially within a globalized market that often enables lower production costs elsewhere.

Another aspect, emphasized especially by the city council members present, was the limited scope for action available to a city that regularly faces budget cuts. Nevertheless, there was consensus that precisely this kind of leeway is needed in order to promote local structures based on sharing, borrowing, gifting, and repairing.

A remarkable moment was the applause from the audience when the importance of a respectful and thoughtful dialogue culture was emphasized — and how essential spaces that enable such exchange are. These spaces are crucial for driving forward societal transformations such as those envisioned by a post-growth approach.

The 90-minute discussion was only able to touch on many topics but clearly demonstrated the enormous need for dialogue and the broad support for greater scope of action in urban development. At the end, a participant from the audience asked when the first cross-party city council motion to promote post-growth structures in Dresden would be submitted. This moment brought both laughter and reflection—especially among the council members addressed. They assured that they would meet again afterward to discuss what such a motion could look like and how it could reflect the needs of Dresden’s citizens discussed during the event.

Whether this discussion will ultimately lead to concrete political steps remains to be seen. However, the educational festival has set an important initial impulse: it shows that Dresden is ready to take new paths—for a more livable, sustainable city.