Master's Thesis ULS · Summer Semester 2022 · Laura Tutsch / Alex Meyer

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the digital transformation that had previously progressed only gradually. This shift became particularly evident in education and the world of work, where learning and working increasingly became independent of the physical location of educational institutions and employers. As greater flexibility encouraged migration away from larger cities, the demand for living and working in greener environments increased. Smaller towns consequently gained renewed importance. Yet rural towns with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants have rarely been considered as distinct spatial development models. Using the town of Eichstätt as a case study, the thesis developed a strategy that explored how these changes could support a sustainable future for small towns.

With around 13,000 inhabitants, Eichstätt combines the qualities of a historic small town with immediate access to the landscape of the Altmühl Valley Nature Park. Its dense Baroque town centre and high-quality natural surroundings provide attractive conditions for both urban life and outdoor recreation. At the same time, a social structure analysis published in 2021 indicated that demographic change would pose significant challenges in the coming years. As the baby boomer generation retires, considerable labour shortages are expected by 2035, potentially leading to business closures and company relocations. Like many other small towns, Eichstätt is also facing increasing retail vacancies and the gradual decline of its town centre.

The thesis viewed digitalisation as an opportunity to respond to these developments. As a university town and the seat of a Catholic diocese, Eichstätt benefits from unique local assets. The Catholic University attracts students, retains young people in the region, and educates highly qualified professionals, while the diocese plays an active role in shaping local development.

Building on these strengths, the thesis developed strategies for new learning and working environments that respond to the changing requirements of digital work while helping to attract and retain skilled professionals. Locating these new functions within the historic town centre created additional points of activity and offered opportunities to reactivate vacant buildings. Complementary housing concepts addressed the needs of emerging user groups and were primarily located within the historic centre. In this way, the thesis demonstrated how digital transformation can contribute to a vibrant town centre and support the long-term sustainable development of small towns.