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Demolition of the Wohnhas textile factory: Future of daycare and care in danger!
Wohnhas textile factory in Albstadt demolished; New daycare plans failed due to high AfD votes in Onstmettingen.
Demolition of the Wohnhas textile factory: Future of daycare and care in danger!
An important chapter in the city's history is currently being closed in Albstadt: the demolition of the former Wohnhas textile factory and an outbuilding is in full swing. The total cost of this work is 700,000 euros, with the majority of the demolition work having already been successfully completed. Only the final completion is still pending, which nevertheless represents a significant relief for the urban development environment in which the factory has formed a striking image over the years. The Black Forest Messenger takes this development as an opportunity to point out the challenges of urban development.
The factory site was originally intended as a location for a private nursing school and a new municipal kindergarten in Onstmettingen. Benevit, the investor behind this ambitious project, had budgeted 10 million euros to realize the central daycare center. But the plans collapsed due to the high share of votes for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Onstmettingen polling stations, where the AfD received between 33% and 37% of the vote. The Swabian reports that Kaspar Pfister, owner of the Benevit Group, focused on training foreign nursing students. Unfortunately, he fears that the public's acceptance of such projects leaves much to be desired.
Challenges in urban development
The situation surrounding the old textile factory is not an isolated case, but reflects a nationwide trend: Shrinking cities are increasingly struggling with the revitalization of former industrial areas. However, these essentially unused areas hold a lot of potential for urban development, as shown in numerous examples. In this way, old commercial and industrial wastelands are being given new usage concepts that can serve both the quality of life and the urban identity. Abe's Online shows that conversion is often associated with challenges, such as contaminated sites and liability risks, which can hinder intelligently designed revitalization.
Another aspect is the growing need for daycare places and nursing staff, which Benevit's plans should initially address. In various interviews, Pfister expresses concerns that such necessary investments in urban development are not feasible without reliable framework conditions and acceptance. Indeed, the need for innovative solutions to counteract the brain drain of young talent and keep communities vibrant is urgent.
The current daycare centers in Onstmettingen cannot be maintained and it remains uncertain what will happen next with the daycare plans. Such initiatives are particularly important at a time when urban structures are coming under increasing pressure - both for the integration and for the training of new specialists. A good hand could help make Albstadt fit for the future before more such opportunities are lost in the web of political circumstances.