Press Releases 2008

December 12, 2008

Prognos study for Bilfinger Berger: Environmental protection and social harmony top priorities for city dwellers

If inhabitants have their way, German cities in the year 2038 will be known primarily for their environmental awareness and social harmony. Greater technological advancement, on the other hand, is not a desirable goal for most. That is the result of a study the Prognos Institute carried out for Bilfinger Berger in November. The survey marked the start of an international competition that the construction and services Group hopes will provide new impetus for the development of German cities.

1,005 residents of cities with populations greater than 100,000 took part in the study. Their task was to evaluate which aspects of their city’s development was most important to them. The study revealed that for more than half of those surveyed, functional social coexistence is a top priority. Ecological aspects were most important for about a third of participants. Technological advancement, however, was only important for 10 percent of those surveyed.

The vast majority of those surveyed hope that within the next 30 years families, singles, those with low incomes, the wealthy and immigrants will live together in mixed-usage areas. They imagine that by then, buildings will produce at least as much energy as they consume. It should also be possible to travel throughout the city using public transportation.

In order to make these objectives a reality, many of those surveyed are willing to make their own contribution – especially with regard to environmental protection. About 80 percent of city dwellers want to use low energy appliances and consistently separate waste – or avoid it altogether. One in two would even be willing to do without their own car in the city or get involved in social projects on a volunteer basis. Only one in three, however, is prepared to dig deeper into their own pocket and pay higher taxes in order to alleviate social imbalance.

Bilfinger Berger Award: The future of the city begins today

“We would like to provide some impetus now, because the shaping of the future starts today. The Bilfinger Berger Award recognizes projects that have set new standards abroad and can serve as examples for the development of German cities”, explained Herbert Bodner, Chairman of the Executive Board at Bilfinger Berger.

An independent jury under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer will present the Bilfinger Berger Award, which comes with a €50,000 cash prize, in summer 2009. All those who have promoted urban development abroad with an innovative project are eligible to participate. Submissions will be accepted until January 31, 2009. Additional information is
available at www.award.bilfingerberger.com.

For more detailed results of the Prognos study and further information on the Bilfinger Berger Award, please contact:
Dr. Katrin Luzar / Sigrid Goldbrunner
Press Office Bilfinger Berger Award
c/o fischerAppelt Kommunikation GmbH
Lindleystraße 12
60314 Frankfurt
Telephone: +49 (0)69.427 2616-827/ -835
E-Mail: award.bilfingerberger@fischerappelt.de