The district of Görlitz is on the move. The transformation from fossil energy production to a "district of sustainability" has begun. Strategists with visions and creative doers are not only working on sustainable concepts for the future, they are also implementing them on site. The scientific know-how for this comes from the "think tanks" of the district. The Zittau / Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the International University Institute (IHI), the Helmholtz Research Center Casus and two locations of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft are available as close partners for the design processes. The settlement of the German Center for Astrophysics in Görlitz in Upper Lusatia will significantly shape the district as a research location.