visualization of the Munich Urban Colab seen from the outside © Munich Urban Colab GmbH
Written
30 March 2021
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The Munich Urban Colab is ready to be moved into: starting on April 1, 2021, innovators will be using the premises in Munich's creative quarter to jointly develop solutions for the city of the future.

We're experiencing rapid urbanization on a global scale: by the middle of the 21st century, the United Nations estimate that around 70 percent of the world's population will live in cities. To meet complex urban challenges, a center for innovation and start-ups has emerged in Munich's Creative Quarter as a joint initiative of UnternehmerTUM and the City of Munich. It promotes exchange and collaboration between different disciplines and sectors and makes it possible to implement future-proof technologies, products, and services quickly.

It's not just about what's technically possible. A 'smart city' is a city that offers people a high quality of life while being ecologically responsible. To develop this liveable and smart urban environment, we need tailored concepts that invite citizens to participate.

Claudia Frey, Chief Financial Officer of UnternehmerTUM and Managing Director of the Munich Urban Colab

"One Space. Many Minds. Infinite Ideas."

Based on this leitmotif, a first-time collaboration starts from now on: under one roof, start-ups, established companies, creatives, innovators, scientists, and citizens will be working together with experts, e.g., from the fields of architecture, urban planning, public administration, technology, and business.

UnternehmerTUM and the City of Munich realized the design by the Munich studio Steidle Architekten as a joint initiative. With its completion, the building now offers over 11,000 square meters of office and co-working spaces, event and seminar rooms, living labs, and a high-tech prototyping workshop.

The Munich Urban Colab enables previously unexplored forms of interdisciplinary collaboration. That way, we are also striking new paths for the City of Munich. Technology-driven innovations in mobility, living and working, artificial intelligence, or energy supply are conceived, developed, and tested on-site. This approach is unique and offers Munich the chance to take on an international pioneering role in the development of smart city solutions.

Clemens Baumgärtner, Department of Labor and Economic Affairs of the City of Munich

Next to start-ups and companies, various services of UnternehmerTUM and the City of Munich will be moving in from April 1 on - including the 'Digital Hub Mobility' for future-forward mobility, the initiatives for the digitalization of the construction industry 'BEFIVE' and for the application of artificial intelligence 'appliedAI', the 'RESPOND' accelerator in cooperation with BMW Foundation, the 'Innovation Lab' by the City of Munich, and the 'Mobility Lab' by Stadtwerke München. In compliance with the Corona regulations, events are also planned.

Please find out more about the Munich Urban Colab on its website www.munich-urban-colab.de.