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Building Trust and Experimentation in the Heart of Public Service

How the City of Düsseldorf is shaping a future-ready workplace culture through co-creation and pilots.

flagCity of Düsseldorf

location_onDüsseldorf, Germany – Municipal Administration / Public Sector

Roel Geenen

01 October, 2024

3,000

employees to be housed in the new building

17

departments integrated under one roof

2030

planned completion of the Technical Administration Building (TVG)

40

employees rotating every six months through the ABW pilot

1

living laboratory for change

The City of Düsseldorf is preparing to build a new Technical Administration Building (TVG) on Moskauer Straße that will bring together 3,000 staff from across 17 departments. More than a building, this project aims to redefine how a public organisation works — by introducing flexibility, collaboration, and trust into everyday work.

The Challenge

Before construction of the TVG begins, the city needed to explore how flexible, Activity-Based Working (ABW) could function within a traditionally structured municipal environment. Many employees associated open-plan offices with inefficiency or distraction. The challenge was therefore cultural as much as spatial: to build trust, demonstrate value, and create confidence in a new way of working.

Approach / Process / Interventions

Veldhoen + Company supports the City of Düsseldorf in both concept development and the change journey behind it.
A key step was the creation of a pilot Activity-Based Working environment — a test space where employees can experience and shape new work practices before the full project is realised.

Activities Include:

  • Co-developing the vision and benefits of the future workplace.
  • Mapping functions and requirements with architects.
  • Running surveys on readiness for New Ways of Working.
  • Facilitating workshops and trainings on hybrid work, remote leadership, and collaboration.
  • Designing and implementing a change (communication) strategy.
  • Collecting insights from the pilot and integrating them into the long-term building concept.

Results / Impact / Outcomes

The pilot environment is now active and serves as a living laboratory for change. Groups of around 40 employees rotate every six months, representing different departments and job types.
They explore how flexible working can support focus, cooperation, and wellbeing — and provide continuous feedback.

Key outcomes:

  • Real, hands-on experience of Activity-Based Working in a public context.
  • Continuous learning loop between pilot users and building concept team.
  • Broader acceptance and enthusiasm for the upcoming transition.
By 2030, Düsseldorf will not just have a modern building, but a mature and confident workplace culture.

“Veldhoen + Company has supported us for years… their expertise, positive, goal-oriented approach, and methodology make them a trusted partner at every level.”

— Oliver Hollasch, Head of Department 10/2 – Organisation, City of Düsseldorf
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