City of Palo Alto (ID # 8379) City Council Staff Report

City of Palo Alto (ID # 8379) City Council Staff Report

Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 8/21/2017

City of Palo Alto Page 1

Summary Title: Sister City Relationship with Heidelberg, Germany

Title: Adoption of a Resolution to Establish a Sister City Relationship between Heidelberg, Germany and Palo Alto, California, United States

From: City Manager

Lead Department: City Manager Recommendation: Staff recommends that City Council adopt the attached resolution to establish a Sister City relationship between Heidelberg, Germany and Palo Alto, California, United States. Background

On August 12, 2013 City Council reviewed the City of Palo Alto / Neighbors Abroad Sister cities program, discussed the international relations strategy, and explored future Smart City partnerships. The City had been discussing the potential of a Sister City relationship with Heidelberg during that time, which was an interest of the City of Heidelberg. Our local Neighbors Abroad group could have been quite overtaxed at that time supporting a new Sister City and Palo Alto was most interested in establishing new partnerships focused on innovation, shared learning, and best practices with other cities in the world. Hence, the City Council authorized a “Smart City Partnership Agreement” with the City of Heidelberg. On September 23, 2013 the City Council formally adopted the partnership agreement with Heidelberg titled the “Smart Cities Alliance between the City of Heidelberg, Germany, and the City of Palo Alto, California, USA.” The Mayor and City Manager visited Heidelberg in 2013 for the official signing of the partnership. Since 2013 a handful of intergovernmental exchanges between Palo Alto and Heidelberg have occurred, some with our Sister City/Smart City partner Enschede, The Netherlands, and recently including Sister City Linkoping, Sweden. These have led staff to share best practices and explore program collaboration. They have also further developed professional, business and community relationships. One of the driving factors for the City of Palo Alto support for a Sister City relationship is the enhanced capacity of our Neighbor’s Abroad program. Thanks to many people for this, but special thanks to Bob Wenzlau. On May 17, 2017 the Board of Neighbors Abroad voted unanimously to request that the City Council establish a sister city relation with Heidelberg. Neighbors Abroad was formed in the early 1960s by citizen leaders to create and manage the

City of Palo Alto Page 2

City’s emerging international relations strategy based on the principles of Sister Cities International (SCI). SCI was created in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who “envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world.” Over the years, the City’s partnership with Neighbors Abroad has led to sister city relations with Palo, Philippines; Oaxaca, Mexico; Enschede, Netherlands; Linkoping, Sweden; Albi, France; and Tsuchiura, Japan. On June 1, 2017, the Heidelberg City Council approved the relevant agreements to establish a sister city with Palo Alto. Discussion

By approving the attached resolution City Council will expand the Palo Alto - Heidelberg relationship beyond our Smart City Alliance and establish sister city relations. Neighbors Abroad and the City envision a new future for the City’s international relations program, one which could blend the traditions of sister city activities with new shared smart city objectives. The vision originated from citizen feedback that volunteerism with our sister city program would be more appealing if it focused not only on cultural, arts and youth exchanges but also include shared common interests such as technology, sustainability and innovation. The City in conjunction with Neighbor’s Abroad and others is investigating the opportunities for more blended relationships with other cities also. In September the Mayor and City Manager will visit Heidelberg to officially celebrate the new affiliation. The trip will may include a visit to Enschede, The Netherlands, and Linkoping, Sweden. Palo Alto currently has an economic development alliance and sister city relationship with Enschede. Palo Alto and Linkoping also share a sister city relationship.

Attached are several briefing documents which provide information about Heidelberg, the intended smart sister city programs and Neighbors Abroad’s formal letter to the City Council requesting establishment of a sister city relation with Heidelberg. Resource Impact No additional funding is required. Funding for activities related to Neighbors Abroad and our sister city relationships are budgeted within the City Council, City Manager’s Office and City Clerk’s Office. Annual dues for Sister Cities International are approximately $800. Attachments:

Attachment A - Draft Resolution for Palo Alto - Heidelberg Sister City

Attachment B - Neighbors Abroad Heidelberg Sister City Request

Attachment C - Introducing Heidelberg

Attachment D - Neighbors Abroad Summary of Programs

Attachment E - City of Heidelberg Proposal Report

Attachment F - City of Heidelberg Beschlussvorlage (Decision)

Attachment G - City of Heidelberg Beschlussvorlage (Decison) English Translation

Attachment H - City of Heidelberg Summary Report

City of Palo Alto Page 3

Attachment I - August 12, 2013 Palo Alto Staff Report

Attachment J - September 23, 2013 Palo Alto Staff Report

Not Yet Approved

Resolution No. _____ Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto establishing a Sister City relationship between

Heidelberg, Germany and Palo Alto, California, United States Whereas, the sister city concept was inaugurated by the President of the United States in 1956 to establish greater friendship and understanding between the peoples of the United States and other nations through the medium of direct personal contact; and Whereas, the City of Palo Alto has assigned the responsibility for carrying out the Palo Alto Sister City program to Neighbors Abroad; and Whereas, Neighbors Abroad recommends that the City of Palo Alto establish a sister city relationship between the cities of Palo Alto and Heidelberg; and Whereas, the City of Palo Alto, through Neighbors Abroad, recognizes and endorses this program with the hope that it will lead to a lasting friendship between the people of Palo Alto and Heidelberg; and Whereas, the cities of Palo Alto and Heidelberg share similar goals of international cooperation, mutual prosperity, and world peace; and place similar values on cultural understanding, training, youth leadership, exchanges to educate citizens, environmental stewardship, economic development; and Whereas, on September 23, 2013 the Palo Alto City Council established the “Smart Cities Alliance between the City of Heidelberg, Germany, and the City of Palo Alto, California, USA.” the cities established a Smart City Partnership since 2013 for collaboration on sustainability and information technology within local government; and Whereas, the purpose of this relationship is to increase cultural exchanges, educational opportunities, sustainability and economic development for both cities, and to increase awareness of both cities as being educational, sustainability and centers of innovation; and Whereas, both cities are committed to mutual support for organizing and developing the experiences, common activities, and future programs of the Sister City relationship on the basis of previous agreements of mutual cooperation and directions set forth by this declaration. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES, as follows: Section 1. The Council, on behalf of the people of Palo Alto, does hereby enter into a sister city relationship with the government and the people of the City of Heidelberg, Germany, for the purpose of creating greater mutual understanding between the peoples of our two cities and nations. Section 2. The Mayor hereby authorizes Neighbors Abroad of Palo Alto to act as official representatives of the City of Palo Alto to carry out this program.

Not Yet Approved

Section 3. Copies of this Resolution are to the sent to the Mayor and Council of the City of Heidelberg, Germany, Sister Cities International in Washington, D.C., and German Embassy, and the United States Embassy in Germany. Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ______________________________ __________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ______________________________ __________________________ City Attorney City Manager

August 3, 2017 Honorable Greg Scharff Mayor City of Palo Alto, California Re: Request to Form a Sister City Relationship Between Heidelberg Germany and Palo Alto. The Board of Neighbors Abroad of Palo Alto voted unanimously on May 17, 2017 to request from the Palo Alto City Council the establishment of a sister city relation with Heidelberg Germany. The Board sensed a strong and endearing basis for a perpetual relationship between our communities. We hold a mutual and binding interests in arts, youth programs, sustainability and commerce. This letter conveys background toward the formation of relationship. a sister city. The letter assimilates the evaluation and interest toward this Sister City Agreement, and introduces our respective sister city committees. As background, Palo Alto and Heidelberg Germany have common traditions in culture, education and sustainability. In 2013 a Smart City Partnership between Palo Alto and Heidelberg was created for the purpose of collaboration between our respective local governments and business community. A Sister City extends relationship to embrace community interactions in addition to these government interactions and embraces cultural topics often with a focus on youth and adult exchanges in the arts and education. Neighbors Abroad has formed a strong local Heidelberg sister city committee. Ms. Jeannet Kiessling will serve as the Vice President for the sister city relationship. The committee now is composed of Mr. Markus Fromherz focused on sustainability, Mr. Michael Kelly focused on business relationships, and Ms. Barbara Evans joined with Ms. Kiessling focused on youth and cultural exchange. All have strong connections to Heidelberg, some were even born or worked many years in Heidelberg. Heidelberg offers a separate sister city organization to maintain the sister city relationship. Since the Board’s vote, Heidelberg has formed a reciprocal sister city committee to develop programs with Palo Alto. We also understand that Heidelberg has completed a complimentary vote to form a sister city relationship with the City of Palo Alto. On September 28, 2017 representatives of Palo Alto are invited to Heidelberg to commemorate this mutual commitment as sister cities.

This letter conveys two attachments prepared by Neighbors Abroad providing background the Palo Alto City Council and City Staff can rely upon to move toward a sister relationship.

1. Introducing Heidelberg. An overview document titled “Sister City Project Heidelberg – Palo

Alto” offers an introduction to Heidelberg and reveals background on the common areas with

sustainability, arts and business.

2. Report on the Sister City Project. From this document grew this document offering a more

tactical view toward building a sister city relationship.

We look forward celebrating the formation of our new sister city in Heidelberg in September understanding that our Mayor and City Manager may attend such a celebration. Sincerely, Neighbors Abroad of Palo Alto Bob Wenzlau President cc. City Manager

Heidelberg Sister City Committee

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Introducing Heidelberg, Germany

May 2017

Heidelberg is located in the Neckar-Valley on the brink of the Odenwald (Odin’s Forest). The

Neckar River flows through the city and into the Rhine River 10 miles downstream.

Heidelberg is situated in southwestern Germany in the State of Baden-Württemberg,

approximately 60 miles south of Frankfurt (nearest international airport). It has 150.000

inhabitants, 40.000 are students. Heidelberg is young (40% younger than 30), diverse

(17.000 inhabitants have a different cultural background) and educated (35 percent have a

university degree).

Its history goes back to the Celts and the Romans, but the area was settled long before, as

the famous 600.000 year old Homo Heidelbergensis documents. The Celts moved in 500

B.C., were succeeded by the Romans in the first century A.D. and later by the Empire of the

Franks who brought Christianity to the area (several monasteries from that time are still

standing, with the World-Heritage-listed nearby “Kloster Lorsch” being the most famous).

The actual city was founded around 1200 A.D., the world-famous castle – Germany’s number

one tourist site – was started around the same time. The university was founded in 1386,

making it the oldest university in Germany. It is also the university with the highest number

of Nobel Prize Winners in Germany (56).

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Due to its location close to France, Heidelberg was often the focal point of the German-

French hereditary enmity which lasted until the 20th century and culminated in several

devastating wars, including WWI and WWII. Sister City projects with France had an

important role in overcoming the animosities between the two countries and turning former

foes into friends. Heidelberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was hardly destroyed in

WWII. American occupation forces had one of their largest headquarters in Heidelberg, with

approximately 20.000 military personnel and their families stationed there at peak times.

After unification in 1990, Heidelberg became the seat of NATO’s LANDCENT until all

remaining US soldiers were relocated to Wiesbaden in 2013 and the military bases were

closed.

AREAS OF CCOPERATION

Palo Alto and Heidelberg have several things in common, just to name a few:

• Medium-sized city with international recognition

• Affluent diverse community

• Universities with excellent world-wide reputation

• Focus on Technology and Research

These common aspects are the bases for a productive relationship in a number of fields:

Smart City (Livability, Workability, Sustainability)

Heidelberg has a long tradition in implementing environmental rules and climate control

measures. In 1992, Heidelberg was the first German city to introduce a climate protection

concept. The city is home to the worldwide biggest passive house development in its newest

neighborhood district Bahnstadt.

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Heidelberg won the Passive House Award 2014 and the European Sustainable City Award

(twice). The city is participating in the Masterplan 100% climate protection concept of the

federal government. In 2015, Heidelberg won the Global Green City Award of the United

Nations, honoring cities which are leading in sustainability. Heidelberg has a high standard in

trash separation, while charging low fees for its waste management. The city invites its

inhabitants each spring to help clean the city on Spring Cleaning Week. A lot of schools,

clubs and private citizens participate.

Business

Heidelberg is part of the Rhein-Neckar-Metropolregion which includes the nearby cities of

Mannheim and Ludwigshafen. The Metropolregion is one of the most dynamic business

regions in Germany. 10 of the 100 most successful German public companies are

headquartered there, i.e. SAP, BASF, Roche, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen,

HeidelbergerCement, KSB, Fuchs Petrolub. Germany’s economic strength lies in the

Mittelstand (small to medium-sized companies), and the Metropolregion is strong in that

sector too, with companies in the automobile and mechanical engineering sectors, to name

a few.

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Business relations might be the most difficult to include into a sister city concept. This area

should be primarily channeled through business associations like the German Accelerator

and the Chamber of Commerce in Palo Alto or the Robert-Bosch-Stiftung, the Klaus-

Tschirra-Stiftung and Dietmar-Hopp-Stiftung in Heidelberg. Such organizations can help

identify relevant subjects of interest to businesses on both sides as well as organizing

potential events. SAP, who has both a strong presence near Heidelberg and Silicon Valley,

could be approached.

Youth

Youth projects and exchange is traditionally the core of any sister city project. The idea is to

provide young people with the opportunity to learn more about other cultures, languages

and habits. The Deutsch-Amerikanisches-Institut (German-American-Institute, DAI,

http://dai-heidelberg.de/en/) could help organize youth projects since they have the

resources and the experience for it. Furthermore, Heidelberg has a number of outstanding

high schools (high school encompasses Middle School in Germany) which could be

approached. High schools in Europe usually have several partner schools abroad with which

they organize student exchanges. Our natural partner for youth exchange is the

Stadtjugendring e.V. http://www.sjr-heidelberg.de/angebote/jugendaustausch3, a city-

funded program organizing youth exchange with partner cities.

Heidelberg conducts an International Summer Science School (ISH), a yearly exchange

program to enhance exchange between youths interested in science. It is specifically

designed for sister city projects http://www.ish-heidelberg.de/. ISH already cooperates with

the John Ernest Foundation in Palo Alto.

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Culture

From the newly-constructed Theater to the resident Symphonic Orchestra, the many

privately-organized clubs and cultural institutions, Heidelberg has a rich cultural scene. In

2014 Heidelberg became and remained UNESCO City of Literature within UNESCO’s Creative

Cities Network. With its existing sister cities, diverse projects like Culture Weeks with

Kumamoto, Japan (Heidelberg-Week in Kumamoto, Kumamoto-Week in Heidelberg), a

mutual representative office (with Montpellier, France) and art exhibitions (Simferopol,

Ukraine, since annexation Russia) have developed over time. Cultural exchanges are mainly

at the initiative of active citizen groups and could take on a range of topics.

The biggest festivity in Heidelberg is the Heidelberger Herbst – a fall, city-wide fest attracting

over a hundred thousand visitors each year.

It is organized by Heidelberg Event http://www.heidelberg-event.com/events/heidelberger-

herbst/?lang=en, who also organizes the three Castle Illuminations and Firework events

taking place each summer, as well as the yearly Christmas Market.

In the spring Heidelberg organizes the renowned music festival Heidelberger Frühling

(Heidelberg Spring) with concerts ranging from classical to contemporary. In the fall, the

greater Heidelberg region (Rhein-Neckar-Region) hosts the Enjoy Jazz-Festival with many

American performers.

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Heidelberg is not only home to former tennis stars Boris Becker and Steffi Graf, it also hosts

on of the German Olympic preparation centers. In the past, Olympic teams from partner

cities have used these facilities and German teams have trained abroad. The organization of

the program is conducted by Sportkreis Heidelberg http://www.sportkreis-heidelberg.de/

Heidelberg hosts a number of Marathons. The most popular is the marathon sponsored by

SAS, a Heidelberg based software firm https://www.runme.de/deutschland/sas-

halbmarathon-heidelberg/, with several thousand participants.

Heidelberg University and Stanford University have a lot in common. Both have an excellent

international reputation and a high academic standard. They share a similar motto

(Stanford’s motto is even in German: “Die Luft der Freiheit weht”, Heidelberg University:

“Semper apertus”). However, like most universities in Germany, Heidelberg University is a

public institution. Tuition is free and partner projects are generally welcome. Heidelberg

University has a number of partner universities beyond those in sister cities

https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/international/profil/partneruniversitaeten.html.

Heidelberg is also home to the European Laboratory for Molecular Biology (Europäisches

Laboratorium für Molekulare Biologie, EMBL), the German Cancer Reasearch Institute

(Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and four Max-Planck-Institutes.

For an overview of Heidelberg, see http://www.heidelberg.de/hd,Len/300652.html

Prospective Program Activities

for Heidelberg Sister City Program

May 2017

Scope of Report

The goal of establishing sister cities is to engage in a productive, mutually beneficial

exchange of ideas, programs and people. This report summarizes the evaluation of potential

projects that Heidelberg and Palo Alto could engage in as a part of their sister city

relationship. It has been assessed by the Neighbors Abroad Heidelberg Committee, headed

by Bob Wenzlau (President of Neighbors Abroad, NA) and Jeannet Kiessling (Heidelberg

Committee, NA) and will be shared with their counterparts from Heidelberg.

The report identifies four major areas of cooperation (names of responsible NA members in

brackets):

1. Smart City (Markus Fromherz)

2. Business (Michael Kelly)

3. Youth Exchange (Barbara Evans, Jeannet Kiessling)

4. Culture (Jeannet Kiessling)

Each area of cooperation is structured around the following goals: to exchange ideas and

learn from each other (Learn), to connect people from both cities (Connect), and to

implement selected projects (Implement).

The report mainly focuses on ideas/goals that were researched by the Palo Alto Neighbors

Abroad Heidelberg Team. They are shared with our counterparts in Germany and their

feedback will be implemented. After the Sister City contract has been signed, we will

commence working on the projects.

1. Smart City The Smart City concept focuses on the use of Information and Communication

Technology to improve the livability, workability, and sustainability for current residents

and future generations (e.g., in areas such as IT and IoT [Internet of Things]

infrastructure, transportation, water supply networks, and waste management). Both

Palo Alto and Heidelberg have pushed the boundaries of the Smart City movement. Palo

Alto is a member of the Smart City Council, has an aggressive long-range sustainability

and climate action plan, and has pursued dozens of Smart City projects over the recent

years. As leaders in this field, close cooperation provides a platform from which the cities

can learn from one other and thereby help improve the implementation of such

initiatives in both cities. Palo Alto and Heidelberg signed a Smart City alliance contract in

2013. While this remains in place, the Sister City concept will expand on the Smart City

efforts.

Learn Heidelberg Palo Alto

• City of Short Distances. This concept has already been enacted in Heidelberg and focuses on increasing the number of walking and cycling paths, thereby reducing the need for motor traffic.

• Environmental Budget. This concept has also already been implemented in Heidelberg and is similar to a financial budget. It determines the environmental impact of the city’s emissions and is subject to annual approval.

• Environmental Awareness. This includes a broad range of information and communication opportunities with the goal of motivating people to undertake more environmentally conscious activities.

• Environmentally Compatible Transport. This includes initiatives that connect districts by trams/bus, making sure new developments have public transportation options, as well as replacing short local trips with walking, biking, or public transportation.

Palo Alto Heidelberg

• Apps for Smart City Applications. The focus of this exchange is to encourage the use of apps that add value to city life and to discuss the development of potential new apps that would add additional value. For Example: PaloAlto311 Mobile App, Open Geospatial Information System Implementation for community use, CityCamp Palo Alto (outdoor civic innovation event), Mobile App Challenge.

• Smart Use of GIS Data. Palo Alto has implemented a Global Information System that provides residents and businesses with a wide range of information, including locations, road centerlines, land use, (city-owned) trees, public projects, trench plates, trails, pavement sections, zone districts, building roof outlines, park locations, road edges, rooftop solar technical potential, automated external defibrillator locations, and City of Palo Alto boundary.

• Sustainability Projects. PaloAltoGreen (electricity, gas), sustainability information and rebates (SMART energy, new constructions, water efficiency, solar systems,

electric vehicles), 10-year plans (electric, gas), Zero Waste, Zero Net Energy, Transportation (commuting has bicycle focus, Palo Alto Shuttle with real-time location information).

• IT Projects on Modern IT Infrastructure. Over the recent years, the city of Palo Alto has implemented several IT modernization projects, such as cloud-based Communication and Productivity Suite Implementation, Interactive Voice Response System, network upgrades, online Parking Permit System, e911, and many more.

Connect • Summer Exchange Program for high schoolers/university students. Both cities

are willing to host students to work on Smart City concepts. • Monthly Exchange between the respective Smart City collaborators (already in

place, including other cities such as Enschede and Linköping).

Implement

• Evaluate and assess Apps for Mobility (like rideshare or trip planning). • Facilitate Bartering Services, e.g., driving each other to a grocery store or to the

airport. • Establish relationship between Stanford/University of Heidelberg to engage in

Smart City topics. • Link with Smart City Council (international organization). • Establish Budget for Smart City projects. • Promote (NA) the smart city projects in both cities. • Join Forces on supporting a less affluent city (e.g. Oaxaca).

2. Business

The goal is to establish a platform for the exchange of ideas, and to promote mutually productive business opportunities for companies in both the Palo Alto/Silicon Valley, and the Heidelberg/Rhein-Neckar areas. Of particular interest would be to establish an entity in Heidelberg to assist Palo Alto/Silicon Valley technology companies navigate the local business environments and accelerate their development in the German/EU market. This entity would also promote and develop Heidelberg/Rhein-Neckar technology companies' relationships in the Palo Alto/Silicon Valley area.

Learn

• From Start-up to Successful Company: conditions and tools for an entrepreneurial environment.

• Doing Business in the U.S. / doing business in Germany (Europe). Rules and regulations in both markets.

Connect

• German Accelerator, Palo Alto

• Chamber of Commerce, Palo Alto

• GABA – California German-American Business Association, Mountain View

• German-American Chambers of Commerce, San Francisco

• Internationale Handelskammer, Heidelberg

• AmChamGermany, Frankfurt

• Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH

Implement

• Establish Sister Cities Accelerator (SCS) an incubator/accelerator in a co-working space in Heidelberg where companies will be provided with the expertise and business infrastructure necessary to accelerate their access to the German/EU market. SCS is a project by the cities of Heidelberg and Palo Alto to support internationally competitive small to medium sized Silicon Valley technology companies to scale in Germany and the EU. This will establish Heidelberg as a major center for technology entrepreneurship in Germany, and as the gateway to Germany and the EU for Silicon Valley technology companies. SCS will create an entrepreneurial ecosystem through a public-private partnership bridging the Heidelberg/Rhein-Neckar and Palo Alto/Silicon Valley regions to support German and Silicon Valley technology companies to scale in the EU. It will position Palo Alto as the initial information gateway to the EU for SV small to medium sized companies lacking the knowledge, facilities or perspective to consider entering this market. Furthermore, it will position Palo Alto as the location for local SV companies to acquire access to German technology for further commercialization. For more information please see (LINK).

Before the project is started: Test the hypothesis with stakeholders in Heidelberg and Palo Alto.

Palo Alto area:

German-American Business Association, German-American Chambers of Commerce, VCs, accelerators, banks, universities, and others working with local small to medium- sized companies.

Heidelberg/Rhein-Neckar area:

Organizations: Internationale Handelskammer, AmChamGerman, Heidelberg City administration and Technologie Park, area universities, banks, lawyers, accountants

Sponsors: local companies, investment groups, federal and local government support organizations

• Digital Business Network. Establish and formalize a link between Heidelberg and Palo Alto business communities.

•

• SAP-AppHouse Connection. Engage SAP to establish a Palo Alto – Heidelberg App-Connection through their AppHouses in both places. This digital connection could help young IT-entrepreneurs to develop their ideas.

3. Youth Exchange

Youth Exchange is at the heart of every Sister City Project. The idea is to give future

generations a better understanding of different countries and cultures as well as to raise

their cross-cultural competence level. Given the distance between Heidelberg and Palo Alto,

the focus here is also on virtual exchange in order to establish contact between youths in

both cities.

Learn

• Compare notes on the organizational structures to enhance youth exchange in

both cities.

• Explore Language Training programs in the respective cities.

• Explore Digital Training programs in the respective cities.

Connect

• Stadtjugendring

• Representatives of School Systems

• Representatives of Digital Training Programs

Implement

• Develop the first Youth Exchange Program for 2018 (start with small number of

children).

• Heidelberg Musicians Meeting. The City of Heidelberg will host a get-together of

musicians from various sister cities in 2018 and will extend an invitation to

musicians from Palo Alto.

• Install a “Wormwhole”. This 24/7 digital connection will be installed at an easily

accessible location in each city and enable random connections between youths

in both cities (need sponsors for this).

• Digital Youth Book Club. Selection of book lists with opportunities to exchange

comments and thoughts (engage German-American Institute DAI in Heidelberg).

• Establish Sister School. This program could either be limited to one school in

either city or encompass both school districts.

• Internship Program. Engage companies to offer internships to students from

Heidelberg and Palo Alto.

• Connecting the Stanford German Department with the Germanistik Fakultät at

the University of Heidelberg.

• Connecting the Anglistik Fakultät of the University of Heidelberg with the

English Department at Stanford.

4. Culture

This topic encompasses a variety of activities ranging from music, theater and other

entertaining programs to festivities and events throughout the respective cities’ cultural

calendars. Such connections between the Sister Cities help foster mutual interest and

understanding of the respective values and customs.

Learn

• Exchange ideas on City Marketing.

• Explore Art and Music Scene

Connect

• City Representatives engage in cultural events (i.e. Heidelberg Marketing) • Representatives of Cultural and Special Interest Clubs interested in cultural

exchange (i.e. Lions and Rotary Clubs, Sports Clubs, Orchestras)

Implement

• Establish a Cultural Calendar of the Sister City with festivities and events.

• Regular Reporting about Sister City events in local media.

• Create a Travel Kit for tourists to who want to visit the Sister City (suggestions

for accommodations, transportation, sights, etc.).

• Create a List of Clubs wishing to engage in exchange.

• Exhibition to introduce the Sister City in Libraries, DAI, other institution.

• Heidelberg Stand (operated by NA) at the German Christmas market in

Mountain View.

• Palo Alto Stand at “Heidelberger Herbst” (biggest annual Street festivity in

Heidelberg).

• Sister City Beer. Gordon Biersch (of Gordon Biersch Brewery in Palo Alto)

suggested to brew a Heidelberg beer and talk to representatives from

Heidelberger Brauerei to brew a Palo Alto beer.

• Enjoy Jazz. Palo Alto Jazz musicians could participate in this annual Heidelberg

event.

• Reading by Silicon Valley writer Tad Williams at Schmitt&Hahn in Heidelberg.

Fall 2017. First Sister City Event.

About Neighbors Abroad

Neighbors Abroad represents the City of Palo Alto in its relations with its sister cities around the

world and coordinates the activities of six sister-city committees within this volunteer

organization. Neighbors Abroad represents a community of people with a deep interest in the world

at large and a committed belief that peace can be grown one friend at a time.

Contact Information Neighbors Abroad

Bob Wenzlau President, Neighbors Abroad, [email protected]

Jeannet Kiessling Heidelberg Committee, Culture and Youth Exchange Subcommittees,

[email protected]

Markus Fromherz Smart City Subcommittee, [email protected]

Michael Kelly Business Subcommittee, [email protected]

Barbara Evans Youth Exchange Subcommittee, [email protected]

Contacts in Heidelberg

Nicole Huber Head of Office, Mayor of Heidelberg, Dr. Eckart Würzner

[email protected]

Ina Nolte International Relations, Mayor’s Office,

[email protected]

Steffen Wörner Managing Director, Stadtjugendring e.V. (Youth Exchange Org.),

[email protected]

City Heidelberg

Document:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V

Date:

01.06.2017

Lead management:

Department I, Office 01

Subject:

Finalization of city partnership agreement with Palo Alto

Proposal

Advisory results:

Committee: Meeting Date: Procedure:

Central and Finance Committee 20.6.2017 Ö

Municipal Council 29.06.2017 Ö

- 2.1 -

Administration Proposal:

The central and finance committee recommends the following to the municipal council:

The municipal council agrees to the official formation of a city partnership between Heidelberg and Palo Alto in the United States of America, and commisions the administration to sign the relevant contracts.

Summary of rationale:

The expansion and strengthening of international relationships, through signing of a city partnership agreement with Palo Alto, is a significantly strategic step for Heidelberg. A partnership with such a recognizable and economically strong city, particularly in the fields of economy and science, creates considerable added value for Heidelberg.

- 3.1 -

Rationale:

City partnership with Palo Alto (USA):

Palo Alto (approximately 67,000 inhabitants) is considered to be the capital of Silicon Valley. In 2013, Heidelberg and Palo Alto signed the “Smart City Alliance“ agreement, to formally reinforce a strategic partnership between both cities. Central themes of the agreement are: culture, science, sustainability and innovation, with special attention given to “Smart City“ as core focus. Contact with Palo Alto since signing of the agreement has increased notably. Constructive discourse between representatives of both cities occur regularly to implement collaborative projects and ideas. Among other ideas, particular emphasis is placed on exchange within the areas of youth and sports. The representatives of the organisation Neighbours Abroad (Palo Alto) remain in frequent contact with Mr. Steffen Wörner, director of the Stadtjugendring e.V. in Heidelberg, to initiate exchange projects. Since 2013, young students from Palo Alto have regularly participated in the International Summer Science School in Heidelberg, thereby enrich the program not only with regards to cultural diversity, but also with their scientific knowledge. Situated in the heart of the Sillcion Valley, Palo Alto is especially unique, with a density of enterprises in research-intensive industries, as well as IT-based firms. The wealth of knowledge in various fields that exists in Palo Alto, as well as the presence of local internationally renowned Stanford University, offers enormous potential through the partnership. In particular, the interrelationship between local higher education institutions in Heidelberg and Stanford University enables increased exchange of knowledge, and therefore the ability to capitalize on and benefit from mutual outcomes. The organisation Neighbours Abroad (Palo Alto) has already unanimously agreed to the planned partnership with Heidelberg.The relevant proposal documents will be submitted to the municipal council at the end of June for final approval. Authorities of both cities are in agreement that the existing strategic partnership should now be taken to the next level. Having a genuine city partnership emerge from the Smart City Alliance is a mutual goal. Official representatives from Palo Alto are visiting Heidelberg from September 23 to 30, 2017. Conclusion: The creation of a partnership with such a reputable city gives Heidelberg the opportunity to make strategic advancements in international relations. Heidelberg could greatly profit from collaborations with Palo Alto, as well as from increased intercultural exchange, while fostering mutual understanding. As a result of globalisation, there is great demand for partnerships in distant countries, especially among youth and young professionals. These opportunities offer unique possibilities for exchange.

Palo Alto has assisted Heidelberg by making significant contributions to the Bitkom application.

The successful and well-orchestrated meetings in Palo Alto with key players in the fields of politics, economy, culture and tourism have demonstrated great interest in a city partnership with Heidelberg.

- 3.2 -

Evaluation of sustainabilty mesasures relating to city development planning goals / Heidelberg local agenda goals.

1. City development planning target goals

Numbers(s): + / - achieved:

Goal(s):

+

Goal(s):

AB03 + Location advantages in expansion as a science city

+

Rationale:

Exchange with American universities and research insitutions offers Heidelberg the opportunity to accumulate skills and expertise, and benefit from mutual collaboration.

AB07

+

Establish innovative enterprises

+

Rationale:

The opportunity exists, not only to establish American companies in Heidelberg, but also, with the assistance of local partners, actively support local companies in expansion plans abroad.

KU02 + Promote cultural diversity

+

Rationale:

Heidelberg is able to foster intercultural appreciation, through cultural exchange with Palo Alto.

QU07 + Cultivate university partnerships

+

Rationale:

Palo Alto boasts a notable academic landscape (Stanford). Collaborations can be actively utilized.

Soz. 6 + Great consideration given to interests of children and youth. Rationale:

+ Youth exchange programs between the cities make youth associations central institutions for recreational facilities for children and young people.

2. Critical assessment / Comments on goal conflicts: None

- 3.3 -

INTERNAL REMARKS AND CO-SIGNING

Evaluation of concerns of individuals with disabilities 1. Does the proposal deal with concerns of individuals with disabilities?

☐ Yes

(Please continue to question 2)

☒ No

(Evaluation ends here)

2. Was the advisory council for individuals with disabilities (bmb) involved in drafting the proposal?

☐ Yes

(Participation is recorded in template proposal with a maximum of two sentences; Evaluation ends here)

Release for Publication:

GI (Committee

Information system)

MI (Employeer-

information system)

BI (Resident-

information system = Internet)

Authorisation for internet

publication by third parties

available!

Bureau delivers system:

Proposal / Equipment produced

Column: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

NO NO NO YES YES YES

Proposal:

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

01.3

Nolte

ges.: OB ges.: 01 Date Signature.

Drucksache:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V . . . 00274080.doc

Stadt Heidelberg

Drucksache:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V

Datum:

02.06.2017

Federführung:

Dezernat I, Referat des Oberbürgermeisters

Beteiligung:

Betreff:

Abschluss von Städtepartnerschaften mit den Städten Palo Alto/Hangzhou

Beschlussvorlage

Beratungsfolge:

Gremium: Sitzungstermin: Behandlung: Zustimmung zur Beschlussempfehlung:

Handzeichen:

Haupt- und Finanzausschuss

20.06.2017 Ö ( ) ja ( ) nein ( ) ohne

Gemeinderat 29.06.2017 Ö ( ) ja ( ) nein ( ) ohne

Drucksache:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V . . . 00274080.doc

- 2.1 -

Beschlussvorschlag der Verwaltung:

Der Haupt- und Finanzausschuss empfiehlt dem Gemeinderat folgenden Beschluss:

Der Gemeinderat stimmt dem Abschluss der Städtepartnerschaften der Stadt Heidelberg mit den Städten Hangzhou in China und Palo Alto in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika zu und beauftragt die Verwaltung die entsprechenden Verträge zu unterzeichnen.

Finanzielle Auswirkungen:

Bezeichnung: Betrag:

Ausgaben / Gesamtkosten:

-

Einnahmen:

-

Finanzierung:

Ansatz in 2017: Projektmittel Palo Alto Projektmittel China

10.000 € 30.000 €

Ansatz in 2018: Projektmittel Palo Alto Projektmittel China

10.000 € 30.000 €

Zusammenfassung der Begründung:

Der Ausbau sowie die Intensivierung der internationalen Beziehungen durch die Unterzeichnung von Städtepartnerschaftsabkommen mit den Städten Hangzhou und Palo Alto ist ein wichtiger strategischer Schritt für Heidelberg. Eine Städtepartnerschaft mit diesen beiden namhaften und wirtschaftlich starken Partnern, besonders in den Bereichen Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft, schafft einen bedeutenden Mehrwert für Heidelberg. Als „internationale Drehscheibe“ - im Westen Palo Alto (Sillicon Valley) und im Osten Hangzhou - würde Heidelberg somit eine bedeutende Mittlerrolle einnehmen.

- 3.1 -

Drucksache:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V . . . 00274080.doc

Begründung:

Städtepartnerschaft Hangzhou (China)

Bei intensiven Gesprächen in China im Jahr 2016 haben sich Herr Oberbürgermeister Prof. Dr. Würzner und die Vertreter der Stadt Hangzhou bereits über die Ansiedlung von Unternehmen sowie Möglichkeiten für internationale Kooperationen ausgetauscht.

Im Ergebnis unterzeichneten die Vertreter beider Städte während eines Gegenbesuchs in Heidelberg im September 2016 eine Kooperationsvereinbarung in den Bereichen Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft sowie Kultur und Tourismus. In dieser Vereinbarung formulierte man bereits das Ziel einer „städtepartnerschaftlichen Beziehung“.

Im Zuge einer Delegationsreise mit Vertretern des Gemeinderates haben sich die Stadtspitzen beider Städte erneut über die Intensivierung der Zusammenarbeit ausgetauscht. Seitens der Stadt Hangzhou, die das interne Genehmigungsverfahren bereits in die Wege geleitet hat, besteht starkes Interesse an einer Städtepartnerschaft mit der Stadt Heidelberg.

Die Stadt Hangzhou befindet sich im Norden der Provinz Zhejing, eine der kleinsten, aber und zugleich reichsten Provinzen Chinas. Hangzhou, überzeugt mit seinen rund 9 Millionen Einwohnern nicht nur durch seine wirtschaftliche Stärke - zahlreiche namhafte Unternehmen (zum Beispiel Alibaba), Wissenschaftseinrichtungen/Technologieparks sowie Bildungseinrichtungen und Universitäten haben ihren Sitz in Hangzhou - sondern auch durch seine kulturelle Vielfalt, die jährlich mehrere Millionen Touristen anzieht. Besonders in den High-Tech Bereichen Biomedizin, Informatik und digitale neue Medien verfügt die Stadt Hangzhou über eine enorme Wirtschaftskraft.

Die Entwicklungen der ehemaligen Konversionsflächen „Patton Barracks“ und dem dort geplanten Heidelberg InnovationPark bergen starke Potentiale für die Stadt Heidelberg, um forschungsintensive und innovationsstarke Unternehmen anzusiedeln. Dies ist nicht nur aus wirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten als große Chance zu betrachten, sondern auch im Hinblick auf die Intensivierung des aktiven Austauschs von Know-how sowie dem Ausbau des interkulturellen Verständnisses zwischen den Städten Hangzhou und Heidelberg.

Städtepartnerschaft Palo Alto (USA):

Palo Alto (rund 67.000 Einwohner) gilt als die Hauptstadt des Silicon Valley. Bereits im Jahr 2013 haben die Städte Heidelberg und Palo Alto die Vereinbarung „Smart City Alliance“ unterzeichnet, um die strategische Partnerschaft der beiden Städte formal zu untermauern.

Die Schwerpunktthemen dieser Vereinbarung sind die Bereiche Kultur, Wirtschaft, Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation mit dem Augenmerk auf das Oberthema „Smart City“. Seit der Unterzeichnung hat sich der Kontakt zu der Stadt Palo Alto sukzessive intensiviert. Bisweilen finden in sehr regelmäßigen Abständen konstruktive Gespräche zwischen Vertretern beider Städte statt, um gemeinsame Projekte und Ideen umzusetzen.

Darüber hinaus liegt ein besonderes Augenmerk auf dem Austausch im Bereich Jugend und Sport. So stehen die Vertreter der Organisation Neighbours Abroad (Palo Alto) mit Herrn Steffen Wörner, Geschäftsführer des Stadtjugendrings, in regem Kontakt, um Austauschprojekte ins Leben zu rufen. Bereits seit 2013 nehmen regelmäßig junge Schülerinnen und Schüler aus Palo Alto an der International Summer Science School Heidelberg teil und bereichern nicht nur im Hinblick auf die kulturelle Vielfalt, sondern auch mit ihren wissenschaftlichen Kenntnissen das Sommerprogramm.

- 3.2 -

Drucksache:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V . . . 00274080.doc

Im Herzen des Sillcion Valley’s gelegen, überzeugt die Stadt Palo Alto besonders mit ihrer Unternehmensdichte im Bereich der forschungsintensiven Industrie sowie IT-basierten Unternehmen. Durch das vorhandene Know-how in diesen Bereichen sowie der vor Ort angesiedelten, international bekannten Stanford Universität birgt eine Partnerschaft mit der Stadt Palo Alto enorme Potentiale. Besonders die Verzahnung der hiesigen Hochschulen mit der Stanford Universität birgt Chancen um den Wissensaustausch zu intensivieren und daraus resultierende Synergieeffekte zu nutzen.

Die Organisation Neighbours Abroad (Palo Alto) hat die geplante Städtepartnerschaft mit Heidelberg bereits einstimmig beschlossen. Die entsprechende Vorlage wird dem dortigen Gemeinderat ebenfalls Ende Juni zur finalen Entscheidung vorgelegt. Die Stadtspitzen beider Städte sind sich einig, dass die bereits bestehende strategische Partnerschaft nun auf die nächste Ebene gehoben werden soll. So ist das gemeinsame Ziel, eine echte Städtepartnerschaft aus der Smart City Alliance entstehen zu lassen. Die offiziellen Vertreter der Stadt Palo Alto werden Heidelberg im Zeitraum vom 23.- 30. September 2017 besuchen.

Fazit:

Der Abschluss der Städtepartnerschaften mit diesen beiden namhaften Partnern - aus China im Osten und den USA im Westen- geben Heidelberg die Möglichkeit im Bereich der internationalen Beziehungen einen wichtigen strategischen Schritt zu gehen.

Heidelberg könnte so die Rolle einer „internationalen Drehscheibe“ zwischen Ost und West einnehmen, durch den Schulterschluss mit diesen beiden Partnern stark profitieren und überdies den interkulturellen Austausch intensivieren und so das gegenseitige Verständnis fördern. Darüber hinaus sind Partnerstädte in entfernten Länder aufgrund der Globalisierung gerade bei Jugendlichen und Nachwuchskräften sehr gefragt und bieten eine einmalige Möglichkeit des Austausches.

Beide Städte haben die Stadt Heidelberg bei der Bitkom-Bewerbung aktiv durch Beiträge unterstützt. Die beeindruckenden, gut vorbereiteten Begegnungen mit den Hauptverantwortlichen aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Kultur und Tourismus sowohl in Palo Alto als auch in Hangzhou ließen starkes Interesse an einer Städtepartnerschaft mit Heidelberg erkennen.

- 3.3 -

Drucksache:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V . . . 00274080.doc

Prüfung der Nachhaltigkeit der Maßnahme in Bezug auf die Ziele des Stadtentwicklungsplanes / der Lokalen Agenda Heidelberg

1. Betroffene Ziele des Stadtentwicklungsplanes Nummer/n: (Codierung)

+ / - berührt:

Ziel/e:

AB 3 + Standortvorteile als Wissenschaftsstadt ausbauen Begründung:

Der Austausch sowohl mit chinesischen als auch amerikanischen Universitäten und Forschungseinrichtungen gibt Heidelberg die Möglichkeit Know-how zu sammeln und entsprechende Synergien zu nutzen.

Ziel/e:

AB 7 + Innovative Unternehmen ansiedeln Begründung:

Es besteht die Chance nicht nur in Heidelberg amerikanische oder chinesische Unternehmen anzusiedeln, sondern ebenfalls hiesige Unternehmen bei Expansionsplänen im Ausland aktiv durch unsere Partner vor Ort zu unterstützen.

Ziel/e:

KU 2 + Kulturelle Vielfalt unterstützen Begründung:

Durch den kulturellen Austausch mit den Städten Palo Alto und Hangzhou kann Heidelberg besonders das interkulturelle Verständnis ausbauen.

Ziel/e:

QU 7 + Partnerschaft mit der Universität ausbauen Begründung:

Sowohl die Stadt Hangzhou als auch die Stadt Palo Alto verfügen über namhafte Universitäten und eine ausgeprägte Hochschullandschaft. Synergien können aktiv genutzt werden.

Ziel/e:

SOZ 6 + Interessen von Kindern und Jugendlichen stärker berücksichtigen Begründung:

Mit den Jugendaustauschprogrammen mit den Partnerstädten ist der Stadtjugendring eine zentrale Institution für Freizeitangebote für Kinder und Jugendliche.

2. Kritische Abwägung / Erläuterungen zu Zielkonflikten:

keine

gezeichnet Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner

City Heidelberg

Document:

0 2 0 1 / 2 0 1 7 / B V

Date:

01.06.2017

Lead management:

Department I, Office 01

Subject:

Finalization of city partnership agreement with Palo Alto

Proposal

Advisory results:

Committee: Meeting Date: Procedure:

Central and Finance Committee 20.6.2017 Ö

Municipal Council 29.06.2017 Ö

- 2.1 -

Administration Proposal:

The central and finance committee recommends the following to the municipal council:

The municipal council agrees to the official formation of a city partnership between Heidelberg and Palo Alto in the United States of America, and commisions the administration to sign the relevant contracts.

Summary of rationale:

The expansion and strengthening of international relationships, through signing of a city partnership agreement with Palo Alto, is a significantly strategic step for Heidelberg. A partnership with such a recognizable and economically strong city, particularly in the fields of economy and science, creates considerable added value for Heidelberg.

- 3.1 -

Rationale:

City partnership with Palo Alto (USA):

Palo Alto (approximately 67,000 inhabitants) is considered to be the capital of Silicon Valley. In 2013, Heidelberg and Palo Alto signed the “Smart City Alliance“ agreement, to formally reinforce a strategic partnership between both cities. Central themes of the agreement are: culture, science, sustainability and innovation, with special attention given to “Smart City“ as core focus. Contact with Palo Alto since signing of the agreement has increased notably. Constructive discourse between representatives of both cities occur regularly to implement collaborative projects and ideas. Among other ideas, particular emphasis is placed on exchange within the areas of youth and sports. The representatives of the organisation Neighbours Abroad (Palo Alto) remain in frequent contact with Mr. Steffen Wörner, director of the Stadtjugendring e.V. in Heidelberg, to initiate exchange projects. Since 2013, young students from Palo Alto have regularly participated in the International Summer Science School in Heidelberg, thereby enrich the program not only with regards to cultural diversity, but also with their scientific knowledge. Situated in the heart of the Sillcion Valley, Palo Alto is especially unique, with a density of enterprises in research-intensive industries, as well as IT-based firms. The wealth of knowledge in various fields that exists in Palo Alto, as well as the presence of local internationally renowned Stanford University, offers enormous potential through the partnership. In particular, the interrelationship between local higher education institutions in Heidelberg and Stanford University enables increased exchange of knowledge, and therefore the ability to capitalize on and benefit from mutual outcomes. The organisation Neighbours Abroad (Palo Alto) has already unanimously agreed to the planned partnership with Heidelberg.The relevant proposal documents will be submitted to the municipal council at the end of June for final approval. Authorities of both cities are in agreement that the existing strategic partnership should now be taken to the next level. Having a genuine city partnership emerge from the Smart City Alliance is a mutual goal. Official representatives from Palo Alto are visiting Heidelberg from September 23 to 30, 2017. Conclusion: The creation of a partnership with such a reputable city gives Heidelberg the opportunity to make strategic advancements in international relations. Heidelberg could greatly profit from collaborations with Palo Alto, as well as from increased intercultural exchange, while fostering mutual understanding. As a result of globalisation, there is great demand for partnerships in distant countries, especially among youth and young professionals. These opportunities offer unique possibilities for exchange.

Palo Alto has assisted Heidelberg by making significant contributions to the Bitkom application.

The successful and well-orchestrated meetings in Palo Alto with key players in the fields of politics, economy, culture and tourism have demonstrated great interest in a city partnership with Heidelberg.

- 3.2 -

Evaluation of sustainabilty mesasures relating to city development planning goals / Heidelberg local agenda goals.

1. City development planning target goals

Numbers(s): + / - achieved:

Goal(s):

+

Goal(s):

AB03 + Location advantages in expansion as a science city

+

Rationale:

Exchange with American universities and research insitutions offers Heidelberg the opportunity to accumulate skills and expertise, and benefit from mutual collaboration.

AB07

+

Establish innovative enterprises

+

Rationale:

The opportunity exists, not only to establish American companies in Heidelberg, but also, with the assistance of local partners, actively support local companies in expansion plans abroad.

KU02 + Promote cultural diversity

+

Rationale:

Heidelberg is able to foster intercultural appreciation, through cultural exchange with Palo Alto.

QU07 + Cultivate university partnerships

+

Rationale:

Palo Alto boasts a notable academic landscape (Stanford). Collaborations can be actively utilized.

Soz. 6 + Great consideration given to interests of children and youth. Rationale:

+ Youth exchange programs between the cities make youth associations central institutions for recreational facilities for children and young people.

2. Critical assessment / Comments on goal conflicts: None

- 3.3 -

INTERNAL REMARKS AND CO-SIGNING

Evaluation of concerns of individuals with disabilities 1. Does the proposal deal with concerns of individuals with disabilities?

☐ Yes

(Please continue to question 2)

☒ No

(Evaluation ends here)

2. Was the advisory council for individuals with disabilities (bmb) involved in drafting the proposal?

☐ Yes

(Participation is recorded in template proposal with a maximum of two sentences; Evaluation ends here)

Release for Publication:

GI (Committee

Information system)

MI (Employeer-

information system)

BI (Resident-

information system = Internet)

Authorisation for internet

publication by third parties

available!

Bureau delivers system:

Proposal / Equipment produced

Column: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

NO NO NO YES YES YES

Proposal:

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

01.3

Nolte

ges.: OB ges.: 01 Date Signature.

Sister Project Palo Alto – Heidelberg

There are roughly 15.000 Sister City projects worldwide, the great majority within

Europe (12.000). In Europe, most projects started with the clear intention to

increase understanding between countries and peoples who had longstanding

problems in their relations. Sister City projects between the U.S. and Europe differ

in their intentions from similar intra-European projects. They were mostly seen as a

tool to maintain close transatlantic ties after the end of the Cold War. Due to the

great distance, transatlantic partnerships are much more cost- intensive than intra-

European partnerships. Hence, the focus of any Sister City project needs to be

pinpointed and well-thought through in order to be successful.

AREAS OF COOPERATION

Palo Alto and Heidelberg have several things in common, just to name a few:

Medium sized city with international recognition

Strong interest in realizing smart city projects

Affluent diverse community

Universities with excellent world-wide reputation

Focus on technology and research

Various youth and sports programs

Vibrant citizen involvement

These common aspects are the bases for a productive relationship in a number

of fields. Following are suggestions on potential areas of cooperation and

exchange.

A. Sustainability

Heidelberg has a long tradition in implementing environmental rules and climate

control measures. In 1992, Heidelberg was the first German city to introduce a

climate protection concept. Heidelberg is home to the worldwide biggest passive

house development in its newest neighborhood district Bahnstadt.

It won the “Passive House Award 2014” and the European Sustainable City Award

(twice). The city is participating in the “Masterplan 100% climate protection” concept

of the federal government. In 2015, Heidelberg won the “Global Green City Award”

of the United Nations, honoring cities which are leading in sustainability. Heidelberg

has a high standard in trash separation, while charging low fees for its waste

management. The city invites its inhabitants each spring to help clean the city on

Smart City

Energy &

Environment Security

Retail &

Trade Health Administration

Traffic &

Transport Education Society

IT-

Infrastructure Civic Data Plattform

Spring Cleaning Week. A lot of schools, clubs and private citizens participate.

The “Smart City Alliance” which was built between the two cities in 2013 to enhance the strategic collaboration in this special field. As the topic smart city is closely linked to the area of sustainability, we recommend to put a main focus on this theme and to basically stick to this agreement. One aspect which should be especially outlined is the change management within an organization (such as Palo Alto and Heidelberg). Focus should be how an organization can ensure that the newly introduced technologies and processes fit into every day’s working life so that the workflow is on its most efficient level. New projects can only be put in the path of success if people are willing to push and support them. In the course of the Bitkom competition in which Heidelberg took part, numerous project ideas were worked out and concretized in different fields of action (pictured below).

In a series of events and workshops, the public was involved in fruitful discussions and brain storming processes related to the ten fields of action of a smart city.

The basis of the cooperation should be –as mentioned in the Smart City Alliance-to share information and best practices. For each organization, there should be one person responsible for the coordination of activities. Afterwards common interests should be identified and both cities should bring in their strengths and experiences to push the collaboration. From Heidelberg’s point of view, this topic should be one of the main focus areas in the future collaboration.

B. Science/ Innovation & Business

This area should be primarily channeled through business associations like the

German Accelerator in Palo Alto or the Robert-Bosch-Stiftung, the Klaus-Tschira-

Stiftung and Dietmar-Hopp- Stiftung in Heidelberg. Such organizations can help

identify relevant subjects of interest to businesses on both sides as well as

organizing potential events. SAP, who has both a strong presence near Heidelberg

and Silicon Valley could be approached. As Palo Alto and Heidelberg have quite a

similar branch structure therefore there are various fields that offer opportunities and

chances for collaboration and exchange.

1. Potential Alliance Organizations as mentioned in the Smart City Alliance

City of Heidelberg City of Palo Alto

Heidelberg University Stanford University

Heidelberg Technologiepark Stanford Research Park

Chamber of Industry and Commerce Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce

Rhein-Neckar

Heidelberg Club International Palo Alto Community Environmental

Stadtjugendring Heidelberg e.V. Action, Neighbors Abroad

Heidelberg is known as one of the “Cities of Science” as well as “knowledge pearl”

and is home of numerous excellent higher education and research institutions that

provide well-educated scientists and academics.

2. Higher education institutions

Heidelberg University (Rank 1 in medicine)

College of education

SRH University of applied sciences

College of Jewish Studies

Subsidiaries of international universities (e.g. Pepperdine University, Schiller

International University, University of Maryland)

3. Excellent research institutes:

EMBL (European European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

4 Max-Planck-Institutes

DKFZ

HIT

NCT

4. Heidelberg Technology Park

The Heidelberg Technology Park is home of more than 90 small and medium sized

enterprises in the field of biotechnology and medical research. Around 2800 scientific

and technical employees are working in these companies. The Technology Park will

respond to the growing demand for space, by both established companies and

institutions as well as start-ups, with the fifth construction phase as of 2017. The

Business Development Center Organic Electronics (BDC OE) will be established on

the conversion areas of the former conversion area, Patton Barracks and will open its

doors at the end of 2018. The BDC is incorporated into the future Heidelberg

Innovation Park (HIP). A new district for researchers, developers, producers,

entrepreneurs as well as branch offices of established companies – in other words, a

very modern economic area – on approximately 17 hectares is planned.

Innovation climate is attracting scientists and academic professionals throughout

the globe.

5. Research intensive industry, e.g.

HeidelbergCement

ProMinent

Lamy

SAS

ABB

HeidelbergPrinting

NEC Europe Ltd.

6. IT-based companies

SAP (Heidelberg/Palo Alto)

SAP APPHaus (Heidelberg)

HANA Haus (Palo Alto)

SAP subsidiaries located both in Palo Alto and Heidelberg

The federal state Baden-Württemberg holds a leading role concerning business

software. Regarding the global comparison, the federal state ranks directly after

the Silicon Valley in this special field. It has to be emphasized that Heidelberg as

well as the region nearby has the highest density of IT-based companies.

Enhancing the exchange with respect to this field of activity could be realized by constant delegation visits on both sides (exchange programs in different disciplines also and in particular to simplify settlement of companies from Palo Alto/Heidelberg).

C. Youth

An important partner for youth exchange between Heidelberg und Palo Alto is the Stadtjugendring e.V. Stadtjugendring Heidelberg is the umbrella organization of urban youth organizations and in charge of youth exchange programs between Heidelberg and their sister cities (www.heidelberg-weltweit.de). One example for an exchange could be the youth orchestra project, which takes place every three years

in Heidelberg with young musicians from Montpellier, Cambridge and Heidelberg.

Youth projects and exchange is traditionally the core of any sister city project. The

idea is to provide young people with the opportunity to learn more about other

cultures, languages and habits. Heidelberg has a number of outstanding high schools.

High schools in Europe usually have several partner schools abroad with which

they organize student exchanges.

Heidelberg conducts an International Summer Science School (ISH), a yearly

exchange program to enhance exchange between youths interested in science. It is

specifically designed for sister city projects http://www.ish-heidelberg.de/. ISH

already cooperates with the John Ernest Foundation in Palo Alto.

D. Culture & Tourism

From the newly-constructed theater to the resident Symphonic Orchestra, the

many privately-organized clubs and cultural institutions, Heidelberg has a rich

cultural scene. With its existing sister cities, diverse projects like “Culture Weeks”

with Montpellier, France (German-Week in Montpellier, French-Week in

Heidelberg), a mutual representative office (with Montpellier, France) and art

exhibitions (Simferopol, Ukraine, since annexation Russia) have developed over

time. Cultural exchanges are mainly at the initiative of active citizen groups and

could take on a range of topics.

The biggest festivity in Heidelberg is the “Heidelberger Herbst” –a city-wide

fest attracting over a hundred thousand visitors at the end of September

each year.

It is organized by Heidelberg Marketing http://www.heidelberg-

event.com/events/heidelberger- herbst/?lang=en, who also organizes the three

castle illumination and firework events taking place each summer, as well as the

yearly Christmas Market.

Besides, numerous other annual events in Heidelberg provide the opportunity to

present the similarities of both cities in terms of a specific stand, performance, e.g.,

and therefore enhance the intercultural understanding within the citizenship.

E. Sports

In the past, Olympic teams from partner cities have used these facilities and

German teams have trained abroad. The organization of the program is conducted

by Sportkreis Heidelberg http://www.sportkreis-heidelberg.de/

Heidelberg hosts a number of Marathons. The most popular is the marathon sponsored by SAS, a Heidelberg based software firm https://www.runme.de/deutschland/sas- halbmarathon-heidelberg/, with several thousand participants. Moreover, the wheel chair marathon http://www.rollstuhl-marathon.de/index.php?lang=de is

To enhance sportive projects, it would be useful actively involving foundations as those have different key topics and are willing to invest in corresponding projects. Especially sport exchange offers the chance to create intercultural understanding as well as connectedness, in all social classes and age groups.

.

City of Palo Alto (ID # 3973) City Council Staff Report

Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 8/12/2013

City of Palo Alto Page 1

Summary Title: International Relationships

Title: Review of the City of Palo Alto/ Neighbor's Abroad Sister Cities Program, Discussion of International Relationships Strategy, Authorization to Engage in a Non-Binding "Smart Cities Partnership Agreement" with the City of Heidelberg, Germany, and Direction on Exploring Future "Smart City" Partnerships

From: City Manager

Lead Department: City Manager

Recommendation

Staff recommends that Council review and discuss the background and history of the City’s international relationships, and Motion:

1. Authorize the Mayor to execute the attached “Smart Cities Partnership Agreement” (Attachment 5) with the City of Heidelberg, Germany at a ceremony to be held in October, 2013.

2. Discuss the Bay Area Council’s invitation to the Mayor and/or other Council Members to represent the Council in the US-China Collaboration Symposium in October, 2013, with special focus on the Smart Cities Conference in Yangpu, Shanghai

3. Direct staff to work with Stanford University to explore the creation of a Government Innovations and Entrepreneurship Fellowship.

4. Direct staff to work in collaboration with Neighbors Abroad and other community volunteers to explore the addition of the “Smart City” concepts to existing Sister Cities who might be interested.

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Background

Sister Cities International and Neighbors Abroad

Sister Cities International (SCI) was created in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who “envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world.” In a post-war era, SSI promoted “citizen diplomacy”; promoting peace and prosperity by creating opportunities for people to learn about other people and cultures and build lifetime friendships [see additional sources 1 below]. The intent was that upon a foundation of mutual understanding, a new era of peaceful collaboration between cities, and ultimately nations, would be catalyzed.

In the early 1960s, citizen leaders in Palo Alto formed Neighbors Abroad, an organization meant to create and manage the City’s emerging international relations strategy based on the principles of SCI, focused primarily on cultural and educational exchanges. Palo Alto’s first official Sister City relationship was forged in 1963 with Palo, Leyte, Philippines. It was followed in 1964 by Oaxaca, Mexico. Since then, several more official Sister City relationships developed: Enschede, Netherlands (1980); Linkoping, Sweden (1987); Albi, France (1994); and Tsuchiura, Japan (2009).

With the goal of “promot[ing] international and inter-cultural understanding” [see additional sources 2 below], the 50 years of international relationships for Palo Alto through Neighbors Abroad has been very successful. This is evidenced not only by the continued relationships between citizens in Palo Alto and our sister cities, but also in the numerous programs, visits, and student exchanges that continue to be organized and produced by Neighbors Abroad. Many of these events are documented in El Chisme de Neighbors Abroad, their bi-monthly publication. In fact, within the last year, the City has partnered with Neighbors Abroad to host visits from citizens and leaders from 5 of our 6 Sister Cities (Palo, Oaxaca, Enschede, Linkoping, and Tsuchiura). It is important to note that in conversations with each of our Sister Cities it has become clear that they are all interested in a more focused relationship, especially as it relates to economic development.

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Managing an official Sister-City relationship requires a great deal of energy and commitment. Neighbors Abroad established a program management structure that largely relies on a volunteer Vice President to lead each relationship. This creates a risk to the sustainability of the program if their effort to engage new members in the leadership pipeline is unsuccessful. Further, while SCI has adapted its emphasis to include economic partnerships as a focus area, Neighbors Abroad has deliberatively not done so. Staff recommends working together with Neighbors Abroad to ensure that our established relationships continue, allowing the flexibility to transition the nature of our collaborations as appropriate.

“Smart Cities” Partnerships

In the 50 years since 1963, Palo Alto/Stanford has emerged as a global center for technology and innovation. This has had an important impact on our appeal to other cities as a potential strategic partner. This interest is evidenced by the regular visits by leaders from cities all over the world. Environmental sustainability, innovation-driven economic development, and educational exchanges are just a few areas where a mutually beneficial, strategic, and focused relationship could be fruitful for those cities and ours.

Especially in the last decade, changes in the geo-political landscape, technological advancements, and the globalization of the world economy have made new types of collaboration and partnership possible. It is now appropriate to review our international relationships and explore structures and strategies attuned to this changing landscape and which allow for the flexibility to experiment with new approaches. Because the Sister-City model does not allow for such smaller, focused, relationships, the concept of a “Smart-City” partnership has materialized as a potential new model worth testing.

A smart city, as defined by the United Cities for Local Governments, is “a type of city that uses new technologies to make them more livable, functional, competitive, and modern through the use of new technologies, the promotion of innovation and knowledge management, bringing together 6 key fields of performance: the economy, mobility, the environment, citizenship, quality of life and, finally, management.” [See additional sources 3 below]

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The idea of the “Smart City” partnership is to create a vehicle by which the City can engage with another city or region of the world around strategically targeted topic areas that benefits the City, its people, and community. The partnership would be short-term (less than 5 years) in duration, and be expected to provide valuable results measured through mutually-established metrics. These topic areas could draw from the Smart City movement, which includes:

Support for Entrepreneurship

Retaining and attracting talent and promoting creativity

Education

Online public services

Transparent governance

Promoting ICT (information and communications technology) and Innovation

Smart mobility Culture and Identity

Accessibility and e-inclusion [3]

City of Heidelberg, Germany

For several years, the City of Heidelberg, Germany, has been in discussions with City Leaders about engaging in such a partnership.

In October, a presentation was given to the Council by representatives from Heidelberg and SAP regarding the City of Heidelberg. This presentation is attached (Attachment 4), and highlights several of the key aspects of Heidelberg as well as areas of potential collaboration with the City of Palo Alto. Heidelberg is a city of approximately 150,000 people that takes up approximately 68 square miles at the center of the Neckar River Triangle in Germany. It is home to several institutions of scientific and technical research, and boasts an economy largely driven by invention and innovation.

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Staff was especially impressed with their leadership in the area of environmental sustainability, both in terms of their City’s goals as well as their robust programs- especially those that engaged their citizenry in behavioral changes. This is exemplified by their inclusion in the C40, an internationally respected Climate Leadership Group, made up mostly of much larger cities. An overview of their environmental efforts is included in their collateral entitled “Climate Protection Commitment” included in this report (Attachment 6)

Staff has also identified several current residents in Palo Alto from the Heidelberg region who have expressed their interest in volunteering in any effort to connect our two cities. In follow-up efforts and meetings, a “Smart City Partnership Agreement” has been drafted for the Council’s Consideration (Attachment 5)

Yangpu District of Shanghai, China

In November of 2012, the Council authorized the Mayor to execute an exploratory agreement with the District of Yangpu, Shanghai, China (Attachment 3). Staff and Council Members traveled to China with a Bay Area Council (BAC) Delegation, and returned with a presentation on their experiences in December. At that point, staff was given directions specific to continuing the Yangpu/Palo Alto relationship. An update of the efforts of staff and volunteers thus far was included in the Council Packet for 8/5/13 as an informational item. Of particular note is the successful completion of a pilot student exchange/ experiential learning program by six teens from Palo Alto High Schools. Staff was also directed to return to Council with a study session on International Relations. This action session of the Council is intended to allow for discussion, but also includes the flexibility for some specific actions for Council’s consideration.

As noted in the informational report on 8/5/13, The City has also been invited by the Bay Area Council to take part in the “Smart City” Conference 2013 to be held in China. It begins outside Beijing in Tianjin and concludes in Yangpu, Shanghai. The Mayor and the City Manager (or appointees) have been invited to speak at the conference. Vice Mayor Shepherd has been participating in the steering committee process and expects to have an informative program involving green tech leaders, government officials and industry. The purpose is to promote 21st Century thinking on green efforts as China develops their domestic economy and

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public services. The conference is scheduled for October 13-20, and all council members are welcome to attend. The Bay Area Council has created a special government rate for those interested in participating.

City of Espoo, Finland and Aalto University

In late May, 2013, The Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Manager, and Asst. Planning Director met with representatives from the Stanford Technology Venture Program, leaders from the City of Espoo, Finland, and the University of Aalto in Espoo. Through this interesting discussion, an idea emerged that a program between Palo Alto and a Stanford graduate student could be developed with a focus on government innovations and entrepreneurship. If such a program was also developed simultaneously between the City of Espoo and Aalto University, it could form the initial foundation for a very interesting “Smart Cities” Partnership as well.

Discussion

The City of Palo Alto has an opportunity to build on its international identity and the existing strong foundation of international relationships to create new value for the City. In this Digital Age, it is appropriate to build upon our goodwill and cultural exchanges to reach beyond to form new economic, technical, and innovation focused programs with other cities in the world.

We can leverage our existing international relationships and add some new ones, especially those that benefit our city and enhance our position in the global marketplace. A nimble model such as the “Smart Cities” partnership allows us to explore potential relationships and engage in shorter term, focused collaboration towards specific and measureable goals.

The “Sister City” model has an important place in the history of Palo Alto. It has provided a strong foundation for our international relations. The efforts of the Neighbors Abroad volunteers and Staff over the last 50 years have been remarkably valuable and fruitful for the City, especially from a cultural,

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educational, and ambassadorial perspective. Staff recommends that the City continue to support the Sister City programs, visits, and exchanges largely managed by Neighbors Abroad. At the same time Staff can also work with Neighbors Abroad and other interested community members to create new strategic opportunities as well. These results-oriented relationships need not rise to the level of depth and permanence of the “Sister City”, and indeed should be lithe and flexible in their structure. It is intended that through the inclusion of a new Smart Cities model, Staff and Neighbors Abroad can work to attract a broader range of citizens to volunteer in the efforts.

Given the background and meetings between the City of Palo Alto and the City of Heidelberg, a short term Smart City Partnership between the two cities is a good chance to experiment with a new model and a chance to develop some measurable results. Additionally, Staff anticipates using it as a test case to draw new people and interest into our collaboration with Neighbors Abroad. A draft of a non-binding and exploratory agreement with Heidelberg was created for the Council’s consideration and approval, and is attached as (Attachment 5)

Government Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellowship

Staff is also seeking the Council’s direction to work with Stanford to explore the interest in designing a fellowship that would focus on innovations in local government and entrepreneurialism. Staff would develop a framework for a potential program and return to Council for discussion/ action at a later time.

Timeline

Staff intends to return to Council with an update in the first quarter of 2014.

Resource Impact

Some staff time will be dedicated to this effort. it is likely that additional resources may be requested as part of any further staff recommendations, especially the creation of a Government Innovations/ Entrepreneurship Fellowship.

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Additional Sources

[1] www.sister-cities.org/mission-and-history

[2] www.neighborsabroad.org

[3] http://www.cities-

localgovernments.org/committees/cdc/Upload/formations/smartcitiesstudy_en.pdf

Attachments:

Attachment 1: Excerpt Minutes 10-22-12 (Heidelberg Presentation) (JPG)

Attachment 2: Excerpt Minutes 12-17-12 (Yangpu Partnership and Direction for Study Session) (PDF)

Attachment 3: Yangpu Partnership Agreement_Final (PDF)

Attachment 4: Heidelberg Presentation 10-12 PPT (PPTX)

Attachment 5: Heidelberg-Palo Alto Draft MOU_7-1-13 (DOCX)

Attachment 6: Heidelberg Climate Protection Commitment (PDF)

City of Palo Alto (ID # 4122) City Council Staff Report

Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 9/23/2013

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Summary Title: Update to Heidelberg Agreement

Title: Reauthorization to Engage in a Non-Binding "Smart Cities Alliance Agreement" with the City of Heidelberg, Germany, and Direction on Exploring Future "Smart City" Alliance

From: City Manager

Lead Department: City Manager

Recommendation

Staff recommends that City Council reapprove the agreement between the City of Heidelberg, Germany and the City of Palo Alto, replacing the word “partnership” with “alliance”.

Background

On August 12, 2013, City Council approved Staff Report #3973 to authorize the Mayor to execute the “Smart Cities Partnership Agreement” with the City of Heidelberg, Germany at a ceremony to be held in October, 2013.

Discussion

The City of Palo Alto received a request from Heidelberg’s Mayor to change the word “partnership,” in the agreement to “alliance.” The term “alliance” is more typically used in Europe than “partnership”. While we may continue to refer to our Smart City initiatives as partnerships, this change would be appropriate. The word change would not change the conditions of the agreement. The Heidelberg Mayor feels that the word change better highlights the difference between smart city agreements and sister city agreements.

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The Mayor and City Manager will also be traveling to our Sister City Enschede, The Netherlands, on this trip. Enschede is also interested in exploring a Smart City “alliance” with Palo Alto. Mayor Scharff and I will be discussing this with their Mayor and City Manager. Our trip will occur October 6-13.

In related matters, Vice Mayor Shepherd will traveling to China on behalf of the City with the Bay Area Council, October 12-20. On that trip, she will be participating in a Smart City Symposium in Yangpu District Shanghai (our Smart City Partner in China).

Attachments:

Attachment A: Heidelberg Agreement with Edits (PDF)

Attachment B: Heidelberg Agreement Final (PDF)

Attachment C: 8-12-13 Staff Report (PDF)

Attaachment D: 08-12-13 CC Minutes Excerpt (DOC)