"The Kittel district is now uninhabitable for us"
Reutlingen's Renewal and Ongoing Quest for City District Status
Reutlingen, a city in southwest Germany with over 117,000 inhabitants, is known for its rich history and vibrant community. However, the city has been advocating for a change in status to improve access in administration, planning, and finance.
The city's current status, as the largest city in the country without city district status, has been a topic of discussion for some time. An application for Reutlingen to become a city district was rejected by the state parliament, and the city was denied a possibility to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
Despite this setback, the city presses on with its ambitions. The mayor, Thomas Keck, a native of Reutlingen with ancestors dating back to 1449 in the city, has shown strong commitment to the city's future. Initially, he had concerns about the success of the campaign titled "Reutlingen can't be liked - only loved," but it was eventually awarded the Staatsanzeiger Award, indicating a positive response from the public.
The campaign has resulted in a noticeable sense of renewal and media resonance, not just locally, but also internationally, even in Sweden. It has influenced the perception of the city among young people, with some applying to the city because of this campaign.
The city's financial situation is complicated due to a structural imbalance in the trade tax and the collapse of industries like textiles and machinery. However, there are signs of economic growth, with a subsidiary of Porsche, Cellforce, settling in Reutlingen, bringing 300 high-tech jobs with it.
The city center of Reutlingen has a lower vacancy rate than the state average, but it is affected by online trading and the presence of an outlet center in Metzingen. The Breuninger property in Reutlingen, currently vacant and owned by the company, is up for sale.
In an effort to boost the city's image, the city marketing will continue with the development of a comprehensive city brand, similar to the Vienna model. The city brand will communicate all areas of the city and is planned to be in effect for at least seven to eight years.
Despite ongoing discussions with the district, the results have been minimal, with only a few minor task transfers. The city is still hoping for more significant changes, but for now, the future of Reutlingen's status remains uncertain.
The ongoing discussions about Reutlingen's desire for city district status have sparked public debate, with politics being a key focus in the general-news sphere. Despite the rejection by the state parliament and the denied appeal to the Constitutional Court, the city of Reutlingen is persistently pursuing its goal, with the campaign "Reutlingen can't be liked - only loved" gaining recognition (Statesanzeiger Award) and creating a renewed interest from citizens and potential applicants.
