The International Building Exhibition (IBA) Munich Metropolitan Region is rethinking mobility – taking it further, broader and, above all, in new directions. Now begins the first major phase of the IBA: we’re looking for project ideas and inspiration on the theme of “Spaces of Mobility”.
Together, we want to challenge conventions, test new approaches and accomplish what has never been achieved before, creating solutions with real impact for the Munich Metropolitan Region of tomorrow.
This call marks the start of the project idea submission process. Ideas can be submitted throughout the entire duration of the IBA. Eligible participants include municipalities, companies, foundations, associations, universities and private individuals from across the Munich Metropolitan Region – anyone interested in bringing a “Spaces of Mobility” project to life and taking part in the IBA qualification process.
Until 2034, we’ll be connecting stakeholders across the metropolitan region, providing expert advice to help develop ideas into innovative and exemplary projects, helping to identify funding opportunities, and raising awareness of outstanding ideas that address the mobility challenges of our times.
Who can submit a project idea?
We welcome a wide range of project ideas – from urban to rural, short-term to long-term projects (including beyond the duration of the IBA), from planned buildings and virtual spaces to innovative research initiatives and planning processes. Small-scale projects and incremental steps toward transformation are just as welcome. Small rural communities can benefit just as much from the IBA as cities and urban areas.
We welcome submissions from municipalities, businesses, academia and the wider community – all those wishing to develop a “Spaces of Mobility” project for the region, alongside our IBA.
What happens after the project is submitted?
Project ideas are welcome in the years ahead, at any point in the IBA’s lifetime. Following submission, the IBA works closely with project initiators to shape and refine their project ideas. In addition to project qualification, the IBA also provides assistance with identifying funding opportunities, as well as networking and communicating with other stakeholders.
Following this, an advisory board composed in part of international experts, together with the IBA Supervisory Board, will decide which projects are expected to be awarded the status of “IBA Candidate” in autumn 2025. In a second step, a selection of these IBA Candidates will be designated as “IBA Projects”. These projects must be realistically achievable and will be supported – but also challenged – by the IBA organisation throughout their development.
To be designated an “IBA Candidate” or “IBA Project”, project ideas must offer novel, surprising and feasible approaches to addressing important mobility challenges of the future. The list below is intended to help project initiators assess and refine their ideas before submission.
What can I do if I have a project site but no project idea?
Those who have a site or area for development but do not yet have a compelling project idea can also submit a project site without an idea by completing a questionnaire. We welcome a wide range of site types – small or large, well connected or yet to be developed, urban or rural.
The IBA Munich Metropolitan Region facilitates networking with relevant stakeholders and the search for suitable project ideas.
What criteria does IBA use to evaluate submitted project ideas?
Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Kennzeichnung als „IBA-Kandidat“ ist, dass die Projektideen neuartige, überraschende, aber auch realisierbare Ansätze zur Lösung wichtiger Zukunftsfragen der Mobilität liefern. Die folgende Liste mit Fragen zu den jeweiligen Projektkriterien unterstützt Projektträger:innen bei der Diskussion, Einordnung und Weiterentwicklung der Ideen zur Einreichung.
- Moving differently. Moving better. IBA projects shape a new understanding of mobility in the region.
- What understanding of mobility underpins the project idea and how does it go beyond existing approaches in the Munich Metropolitan Region?
- What makes the project idea unique and innovative?
- What distinguishes it from other approaches, both within the Munich Metropolitan Region and from an international perspective?
- Forward-looking. IBA projects have a lasting impact and generate momentum.
- Which positive effects can the Munich Metropolitan Region expect from the project idea with regards to space, climate, environment, economy, social matters and culture?
- What understanding of sustainability and future viability underpins the project idea?
- Spaces to experience. IBA projects create spaces with exceptional quality and architectural standards.
- What areas and spaces are to be developed and shaped by the project idea?
- How will the project be made visible and tangible for people across the region?
- Putting people first. IBA projects are inclusive and enable social participation across the metropolitan region.
- What practical value and benefits does the project idea offer to people in the Munich Metropolitan Region? Who is the target group?
- How does the project ensure equitable access and enable participation for the people it is intended to serve?
- Local but also connected. IBA projects create added value through collaboration across the metropolitan region.
- What added value does the project idea offer at the county and regional level, and what benefits will it bring to the neighbouring communities in the Munich metropolitan region?
- What potential does the project idea have to be replicated and scaled within and beyond the Munich Metropolitan Region?
- Creating things together. IBA projects are shaped by innovative stakeholders and alliances.
- What potential does the project have for cross-sector and cross-disciplinary collaboration? Which alliances and partnerships can be developed through project idea?
- How does the project contribute to the common good, and what sense of purpose does it promote?
- Feasible with potential for development. IBA projects have realistic prospects for implementation and continued development.
- Is the project idea economically and technically feasible?
- Is the project still in the planning phase and is there a willingness to further develop project potential in collaboration with the IBA Munich Metropolitan Region?
Which future themes is the IBA looking for projects on?
The IBA is looking for projects covering a broad range of themes: ideas for buildings, concepts and programmes that provide visionary impulses for the “Spaces of Mobility” in the Munich Metropolitan Region. In addition to meeting certain criteria, projects should make an outstanding contribution to one or more of the following future themes.
- Proximity and Neighbourhood: IBA projects foster proximity and neighbourhood through mixed-use development and sustainable forms of mobility.
- How can urban and rural neighbourhoods organise land use and mobility so that all essential everyday destinations are accessible to everyone and can be reached in a climate-neutral way?
- Architectural culture and design quality: IBA projects shape “Spaces of Mobility” in ways that make the mobility transition visible, tangible and a positive experience.
- How can streets, squares, pathways, stations, mobility hubs, open spaces and landscapes in the Munich Metropolitan Region be designed to promote sustainable mobility and a tangible better quality of life.
- The value of local recreation and leisure activities: IBA projects rethink recreation, leisure and accessibility at neighbourhood and regional level.
- How can leisure and recreation be organised across the region in ways that are more collaborative, sustainable and attractive for everyone?
- What role can the immediate residential, work and educational environment play, alongside climate-neutral access to regional landscapes and recreational areas?
- Healthy and multimodal travel: IBA projects establish new practices for healthy and multimodal transport in urban and rural settings.
- How can a combination of proven methods and new initiatives encourage more active travel powered by human movement?
- What new mobility practices and patterns of use could become established in urban and rural areas?
- Regional resources and circular systems: IBA projects promote regional specialisation and productive cycles in order to conserve resources.
- How can production, distribution, services and trade – and the associated transport flows – be organised collaboratively, intelligently and in a climate-neutral way across the region?
- o What new forms of regional specialisation and productive cycles can be created between places with different strengths?
- Global and regional value chains: IBA projects promote sustainable forms of global value creation at the regional level.
- How can global value creation be organised at regional and local levels through new processes and innovative technologies so that the movement of goods and people is reduced, synergies are better utilised and sustainable cycles are created across the region?
- Smart mobility on a human scale: IBA projects use intelligent forms of organisation and socio-technical innovation to make transport systems more user-friendly and sustainable.
- How can intelligent organisational structures, digital technologies, individuals and institutions interact and communicate more effectively to create a transport system that is more user-friendly and sustainable?
- Which socio-technical innovations can be advanced in different spatial and social contexts?
- Organisation and participation: IBA projects rethink organisational and funding approaches in order to create accessible and attractive mobility services across the region.
- How can clean, sustainable and climate-neutral mobility services be made accessible and attractive across the region and for all target groups?
- Which new forms of financing and task-sharing can successfully bring together public-sector, private-sector and civil-society stakeholders?
Project submission downloads
To submit a project idea (or a project site without an idea), please use the corresponding questionnaire below (in German). Please answer all questions, in order to provide a thorough overview of your project or project site.
Submissions can be sent by email to ideenraum@iba-m.de. We ask you to please send sketches as individual JPG files (minimum resolution: 300 dpi; including details on relevant image rights). Please note that the total size of all files may not exceed 10 MB.
