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Before we get into the main topic, we'll take the opportunity to talk a little about the basics of urban politics. Katrin Habenschaden begins by explaining not only how she became Deputy Mayor, but also what role she plays on the City Council and the various supervisory boards of the municipal companies. Of course, she also discusses the issues that particularly concern her.
What impresses Katrin Habenschaden about startups
Starting at minute 6:30, we learn from the Deputy Mayor what she finds particularly fascinating about startups. She is particularly impressed by the entrepreneurial culture of these young companies and their pragmatic approach to dealing with adversity. It is clear to the city itself that it will not continue to prosper economically if it focuses solely on the large DAX-listed corporations.
Afterwards (from minute 10:15) we talk about plans of the city of Munich, which Startup funding to further expand. Ms. Habenschaden reports, among other things, on the city council's decision to create a dedicated position for social entrepreneurship and the plan to launch a social innovation strategy.
How startups can collaborate with the city
Starting at minute 12:15, we discuss how startups can work directly with the city. After all, some of them develop solutions that could make work easier for the city administration itself or the municipal companies. urban innovation competition offers the opportunity to collaborate with Munich-based startups in a non-bureaucratic manner. However, public procurement law often represents a bureaucratic hurdle that the federal government must remove.
At the end of this episode (from minute 17:05), we return to the topic of rents. Habenschaden explains that the city is trying to exploit all available options. This includes, among other things, granting municipal land at reduced prices through leaseholds and providing discounted space through the Gewerbehofen (commercial parks), the MTZ (municipal housing association), and the Colab (colab). The establishment of an interim use agency for vacant spaces in the city has also already been commissioned. But none of these measures can provide a quick solution, says the Deputy Mayor. Rents will only change when the federal government changes laws and, for example, implements social land law.
