This was the first research project of the newly founded Institute for Ecological Economics (IÖW). We conceived it following the foundation process of the Institute and the Association for Ecological Economics (IÖW / VÖW), which I joined after having moved to Germany in 1985.

With this project, we aimed not only to formulate different priorities in technology policy but also to outline an alternative approach to economic and societal development. Therefore, while trying to make concrete proposals for the "Bergisches Land", a region north of Cologne, which was one of the crucibles of German industrial development in the 19th century, we first dug deeply into the theories of development, human needs, and technology. The resulting reports criticise a technology policy orientation that focuses primarily on high technologies and global market-oriented modernisation, and advocates independent, socio-ecological regional development. Using the Bergisches Land region as an example, they analyze regional potential, such as the richness of the landscape, skilled labour, and local resources, as well as weaknesses, such as the low innovative capacity of small businesses. It proposes integrated concepts for agriculture, transport, water management, and regional communication. A central element is the establishment of GERBEL for networking and coordination. Detailed scenarios are intended to promote democratic decisions on alternative development paths. 

Based on the approaches developed in this project, I subsequently founded the EURES Institute for Regional Studies in Freiburg. 

Forschungsprojekt „Chancen und Risiken einer auf regionale Bedürfnisse ausgerichteten Technologiepolitik“. Ein Projekt im Rahmen des Programms „Mensch·und Technik – sozialverträgliche Technikgestaltung“ des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Research project „Opportunities and risks of a technology policy geared towards regional needs“. A project within the framework of the programme „People and Technology – Socially Acceptable Technology Design“ of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

• Otto Ullrich (Projektleiter), Arnim von Gleich, Rainer Lucas, Ruggero Schleicher (1988): Schlussbericht Teil I-II (final report I-II). Wuppertal. Report A de
• Otto Ullrich (Projektleiter), Arnim von Gleich, Rainer Lucas, Ruggero Schleicher (1988): Schlussbericht Teil III-IV (final report III-IV), Wuppertal. Report B de
• Gleich, Arnim von/ Lucas, Rainer/ Schleicher, Ruggero/ Ullrich, Otto, (1988): Technologiepolitische Weichenstellungen für das Bergische Land. Weltmarkt- und high-tech-orientierte oder regional- und bedürfnisorientierte Technologiepolitik. In: Fricke, W.: Jahrbuch Arbeit und Technik in NRW 1988, Bonn: Verlag Neue Gesellschaft. Book Chapter de
• Schleicher, R., Gleich, A. v., and Lucas, R. (1989). Regional- statt Weltmarktorientierung. In Hucke, J., and Wollmann, H., eds.: Dezentrale Technologiepolitik? . Birkhäuser, Basel. Book Chapter de
• Gleich, Arnim von/ Lucas, Rainer/ Schleicher, Ruggero/ Ullrich, Otto, (1992): Blickwende in der Technologiepolitik. Naturumgang, Bedürfnisse und räumliche Entwicklungsperspektiven der Region Bergisches Land. Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag. Book de
• Schleicher-Tappeser, R.; Gleich, A. v. (1989). Regional- und bedürfnisorientierte Technologiepolitik im ländlichen Raum. Studie im Auftrag der GRüNEN im Landtag, Baden-Württemberg, 1987/1988. Berlin: IÖW, Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung. / Report de