Citizens' initiative in Freising: Fight for the large pedestrian zone!

Citizens' initiative in Freising: Fight for the large pedestrian zone!

There are currently heated discussions in Freising about the planned pedestrian zone in the city center. The city's planning committee passed a resolution by a narrow majority of 8 to 6 that rejected a large pedestrian zone. Instead, the traffic concept adopted in 2014 remains, which only provides for a “small” pedestrian zone between Schiedereck and Amtgerichtsgasse. The Gambelt also have certain areas such as Obere and Untere Hauptstrasse, General-von-Nagel-Strasse and Heiliggeistgasse, where a traffic-calmed area remains. This is causing dissatisfaction, especially among the “Freising for All” group, which is now planning a citizens' initiative to involve the population in the decision on a more extensive pedestrian zone. According to merkur.de, the group criticizes the fact that the decisions made so far primarily take into account the interests of a few.

The situation is tense: “Freising for all” does not believe that the current transport concept reflects the ideas of many citizens. With their citizens' petition they want to seek dialogue with the population and are calling for a more comprehensive solution for the city center. The current traffic situation is inadequate and the quality of stay in the city center leaves a lot to be desired. The issues of safety and accessibility, particularly for older people and people with disabilities, are central to the criticism. While Active City sees no problems with the existing concept, the comparison is almost an example of different perspectives on urban development.

A look at the arguments

The discussion about the pedestrian zone leads to different opinions even within the city council. The Greens, the Left and the ÖDP advocate a complete pedestrian zone, while retailers, restaurateurs and doctors express concerns about accessibility and parking options. It is not possible to find a consensus on this political stage. Even the Freising road traffic authority, which initially advocated a far-reaching solution, changed its mind after a traffic count documented a drastic 90% reduction in car traffic since 2013, sueddeutsche.de

But it's not just in Freising that people are arguing about traffic calming. Similar debates can be found in other German cities, such as Berlin's Ostkreuz district, where traffic calming concepts have also been presented and citizen participation is of great importance. An approach that was even rated positively by several hundred participants with 94% could serve as a model for future measures in Freising, [rbb24.de](https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/teil/2024/06/berlin-ostkreuz-kiez-verkehrsbe calmung-konzept.html).

The next step for “Freising for all” is to start the citizens’ initiative after the construction work has been completed. It will be exciting to see whether citizens' voices will be heard and how the desired pedestrian zone could ultimately become a reality. Together with other groups and organizations, the initiative invites you to work for a humane city and to give new impetus to the traffic situation in the city center.