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25 years of urban diplomacy
Since 1999, the Verband Region Stuttgart and region of Northern Virginia have maintained a strong and lively partnership. Both regions have a lot in common and face similar challenges.
Northern Virginia Region
- Area of 3,377 km²
- 2.5 million people
- 29.3 % of the population of the state of Virginia (Commonwealth of Virginia)
- 42 % of the gross domestic product is generated on 3 % of the area of the Commonwealth
- Population growth of 14.1 % - from 2,230,623 in 2010 to 2,545,650 people in 2022
- 247.80 billion euros GNP
Stuttgart Region
- Area of 3,654 km²
- 2.8 million people
- 25 % of the population of state of Baden-Württemberg
- 30 % of the gross domestic product is generated on 10 % of the area oft the state of Baden-Württemberg
- Population growth of 3.9 % - from 2,678,795 in 2010 to 2,787,858 people in 2022
- 145 billion euros GNP
Northern Virginia and the Stuttgart region have similar structures and conditions, such as population size, density and area. Both regions face the challenge of providing sufficient housing and infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing population. The North American region, which is located near Washington D.C., is one of the wealthiest, fastest-growing and most innovative in the US. For example, 70 percent of the world's internet traffic passes through the data centres in Northern Virginia.
In the Potomac River basin, the development of river landscapes and open spaces also plays an important role. Here, the co-financing program Landschaftspark Region Stuttgart and in particular the Remstal Garden Show 2019 provided important starting points for promoting the quality of life along the water. Other topics such as air pollution control, airport connections, electromobility and autonomous driving were also identified as valuable overlaps.
