The awakening of Brandenburg

Long overlooked - in terms of both commerce and tourism - in favour of the 'Land' and city of Berlin embedded right in the middle of its territory, Brandenburg is beginning to wake up. Granted "Land" status following the reunification of Germany, this former region of the German Democratic Republic under the Soviet yoke, has managed to curb an endemic unemployment record and to reduce it to less than 15% of the workforce, a rate which, nonetheless, is still double the national average.

Initiatives to revitalise the region are increasing in number. Particularly those which focus on boosting cooperation with Berlin. The flagship project of said cooperation, the construction of the Berlin-Brandenburg International (BBI) airport and the development of the surrounding area is a central element in the future unification of the two Länder, a concept which is increasingly being embraced by the town councillors of Brandenburg. Brandenburg is also active in the area of new technologies, having established a technical university in the city of Cottbus (see separate article) , with a reputation which has spread beyond its borders, as evidenced by the thousands of students originating from 90 different countries.

Brandenburg can also be proud of its green credentials, with its proactive policy of nature conservation that has created 15 protected areas since reunification. And in a Land where racial tensions remain high, ecology has become a catalyst for tolerance, as demonstrated by the 'integration garden' initiative that is actively supported by the mayor of Brandenburg's capital, Potsdam.