Düsseldorf (dts Nachrichtenagentur) - Rallying for City Center Recovery
Urban Planning Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia extends invitation for urban center convention
After a challenging year, the NRW state government is planning discussions with municipalities on ways to navigate the post-COVID-19 crisis. Ina Scharrenbach, the Minister of Local Affairs, voiced concerns over the potential impact of lockdown measures on city centers during the holiday shopping season, stating, "Yes, unfortunately, it will be largely irreparable." On the bright side, Scharrenbach emphasized the need for collective effort and cooperation, declaring, "Nobody wants to see abandoned city centers."
In 2021, Scharrenbach will extend an invitation to city mayors and councils for an urban summit. Her primary objective is to gather insights into each city's development vision for the next two years. Constructive collaboration with property and business owners will be essential to realizing these plans. Prize retailers such as Aldi, Edeka, and Rewe have already agreed to participate in the summit and are eager to resume activity in city centers.
Scharrenbach suggested that cities may need to deviate from established city center regulations for the greater good. She mentioned the hurdles cities encounter when attempting to change commercial properties into residential spaces and emphasized the importance of granting exceptions for planning law, building regulations, and potentially even tax law – all while adhering to minimum standards.
Moving forward, city centers may explore some popular strategies for revitalization, such as mixed-use development, investment in infrastructure, support for local businesses, and cultural and community events. Minister Scharrenbach's focus on affordable housing and urban development hints at a strategy aimed at promoting inclusive growth and preserving vibrant communities. Still, specific details on her post-COVID-19 recovery plan for city centers in NRW remain undisclosed.
As the Minister of Home Affairs, Local Affairs, Building, and Equal Opportunities, Scharrenbach's policies are likely to emphasize integrating housing strategies with broader urban renewal initiatives. Stay tuned for more updates on the Urban Summit and the future of city centers in NRW!
The Minister of Local Affairs, Ina Scharrenbach, plans to assemble city mayors and councils for an urban summit in 2021 to discuss post-COVID-19 recovery strategies for city centers. This gathering will also involve policy-and-legislation changes, such as altering city center regulations for the greater good, to facilitate mixed-use development, infrastructure investment, and local business support. Other key areas of focus include affordable housing and urban development, aiming at promoting inclusive growth and preserving vibrant communities.
