Interviewee Gallenkamp Grilled at the Staircase Steps
In a bid to resonate with and include as many people in Wuppertal as possible, independent mayoral candidate Guido Gallenkamp initiated his open dialogue with residents on August 6, 2025. The first conversation took place on the staircase of the Laurentius Church in Elberfeld, Wuppertal, symbolising the city's tradition of using these spaces for conversation.
This initial meeting marked the beginning of Gallenkamp's step-by-step strategy for change in Wuppertal. The goal was clear: to discuss citizens' ideas, wishes, concerns, and visions for a better Wuppertal for everyone. The relaxed and casual discussion, similar to neighbours talking, was the perfect platform for Gallenkamp to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people of Wuppertal.
Throughout these community meetings, Gallenkamp has shared several key proposals aimed at making Wuppertal a better place to live. These proposals focus on improving local infrastructure, fostering community engagement, and enhancing sustainability.
- Improving Mobility and Public Transport: To reduce car dependency and traffic congestion, Gallenkamp emphasises making public transit more efficient and user-friendly.
- Enhancing Green Spaces: He proposes expanding and better maintaining parks and green areas to improve residents’ quality of life and promote environmental sustainability.
- Supporting Local Businesses: Encouraging the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises to strengthen the local economy while maintaining the city’s unique character.
- Participatory Governance: Promoting more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes that involve citizens directly, beyond traditional town hall meetings.
- Sustainable Urban Development: Advocating for eco-friendly construction projects, energy efficiency, and climate protection measures to future-proof Wuppertal.
- Improving Social Services: Addressing gaps in education, childcare, and healthcare to ensure equitable access for all community members.
These proposals emerged from Gallenkamp’s grassroots, step-by-step community meetings, where he engaged residents in discussing everyday challenges and collaboratively developing solutions. This approach reflects his commitment to a bottom-up, participatory vision for Wuppertal’s future.
Wuppertal, with its approximately 500 public staircases and around 12,000 steps, is a city where encounters and conversations are common. Gallenkamp's approach of meeting citizens and discussing ideas is well-suited to this environment, as he continues his journey towards a better future for Wuppertal, stair by stair.
- Despite the ongoing general-news and political landscape, the independent mayoral candidate, Guido Gallenkamp, intends to discuss issues that matter to the common people of Wuppertal, focusing on his proposals for sustainable urban development and participatory governance.
- In line with Gallenkamp's aims to improve living conditions for everyone, one of his key general-news topics centers around the proposal to better maintain and expand green spaces in Wuppertal, as green areas play a vital role in enhancing community life and promoting environmental sustainability.
