This website originally arose from the idea of writing more about development dynamics and creative approaches in rural areas. From the very beginning, smartes.land had a dual meaning: we understood—and still understand—“smart” to mean creative and sustainable, while “land” referred primarily to small-town and rural areas. Some of the articles on this site still draw on this original context today.
Over time, my interpretation of smartes.land has broadened while also focusing on sustainable and spatial economic developments.
For me, smartes.land stands for a systemic perspective on spaces.
Places and regions should not be viewed in isolation, but rather in interaction with the living systems, behavioral dynamics, people, organizations, and complex patterns of cooperation and competition from which they emerged and through which they are constantly changing. These spaces are shaped by relationships, mutual path dependencies, diverse historical backgrounds, and, accordingly, a multifaceted array of problem-solving approaches.
“Context matters” is our mantra at Mesopartner. Copying isn’t possible. But taking a deeper look at different contexts opens up the possibility of seeing one’s own world through new eyes and discovering new avenues for action within it. That is precisely the goal of smartesland. Here, I share my international, local, and systemic experiences, perspectives, methods, and tools to open up new perspectives and inspire my colleagues.
smartes stands for
- creative, sustainable, different, intelligent, dynamic
- bottom-up thinking, grounded in practice, context-specific
- connecting: economic & green, innovative & transformative, experiential & renewing, local & global, competition & cooperation, strategy & implementation
- with a systemic perspective on topics such as the circular economy, renewable energy solutions, sustainable business approaches, green innovation systems, sustainable value chains and standards, as well as learning and (continuing) education
land stands for
- a space where people and organizations can shape the future
- locally, regionally, and nationally at the same time—an ambiguity that is expressed particularly beautifully in German
- rural areas as well as cities, metropolises, regions, and entire economic and living spaces.
We write most of the time in English, sometimes in German, because
- we work internationally and want to reach both our German and international colleagues
- want to present international examples and solutions both outside and within our work context
- and view international exchange among colleagues and partners as a key opportunity for innovation and learning.
We look forward to this international exchange of learning!
We invite you to share your perspectives on “smartes Land” topics with us—whether in the form of comments, your own experiences, or blog posts.
Enjoy reading on smartes.land!
Frank Waeltring (fw@mesopartner.com)