With the lignite phase-out in 2038, the question arises in which direction the Rhenish mining district can and wants to develop. The direction of travel seems to have already been determined. It has been emphasized several times that the Rhenish mining district wants to become the first climate-neutral model region in Europe. We have taken this goal seriously for the integrated spatial strategy for the Rhenish mining district 2038+! The questions are: (How) can the region become climate neutral and what does that mean for its development? And how can it simultaneously develop in a resilient, networked, high-performance, innovative and livable way?

In particular, the question of how the region can become high-performing was raised as a second key question in the various discussions around the spatial picture. We have also taken this question seriously and would like to show that both developments can be reconciled.