ABSTRACT
In 2009 the Ruhr Regional Association regained control of regional planning for the Ruhr Metropolitan Area with its 53 municipalities and more than 5 million inhabitants. To enhance its legitimization and involve the general public, a regional discourse was initiated. Under the slogan “the regional discourse … on the road to the future of the Ruhr Metropolitan Area”, citizens, scientists, politicians, institutions and municipalities were successfully encouraged to participate in the discourse over the current challenges associated with regional development topics. Gender mainstreaming is an essential part of this process and takes place on the structural level as well as on the levels of process and content.
