Citizens' dialogue in Bamberg: Security and anchor center in focus!

Citizens' dialogue in Bamberg: Security and anchor center in focus!

The second citizens' dialogue on the anchor center in Bamberg recently took place under the leadership of state parliament member Melanie Huml. Together with Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, she took the opportunity to talk to citizen representatives about key issues affecting the neighborhood. The focus was particularly on security, the occupancy rate of the anchor facility for Upper Franconia (AEO) and possible changes in urban design. As wiesentbote.de reports, around 700 asylum seekers are currently staying in the AEO.

The perception of residents has noticeably improved since the first citizens' dialogue in January, which is undoubtedly due to intensive exchange and efforts to ensure security. Melanie Huml is committed to reducing the size of the anchor center and announced that she would involve the federal police in the planning for the use of freed-up areas. Citizens' representatives also raised various concerns, such as the establishment of a subsidized bus route, improving street lighting and other traffic issues.

Closure of the anchor center by the end of 2025

While the discussions about the anchor facility continue, the Bamberg East Citizens' Association unanimously decided in 2024 to close the anchor center on December 31, 2025 and is committed to implementing this decision. The association favors real estate solutions for decentralized accommodation and rejects container solutions. This clear stance reflects the desire to improve the situation in Bamberg East in the long term Press release from the citizens' association reveals.

A joint telephone conversation between Mayor Andreas Starke and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann in January underlined the urgency of discussions about the accommodation of refugees in Bamberg. Subsequently, on January 29th, the city council discussed that the Free State of Bavaria would like to continue operating the anchor center for the time being, which depended not only on the templates, but also on the urgency.

Arrival centers and their role in the asylum process

The anchor center follows the general concept of arrival centers, which act as central points for asylum procedures. In these facilities, all necessary steps such as the health examination, recording of personal data and the application are carried out. Initial integration measures and advice on access to the labor market are also part of the process, such as BAMF website explained in detail.

All stakeholders involved are brought together in one place in order to make the procedures more efficient. However, it turns out that despite the necessary integration measures, there is no alternative location available for the anchor and reception facilities in Upper Franconia, which further complicates the situation for those responsible. The effects of these developments will continue to be discussed for a long time, and Melanie Huml emphasizes that discussions with citizens' representatives will continue.