Growth brake in Bad Nauheim: Less building space for residential projects!

Growth brake in Bad Nauheim: Less building space for residential projects!

Bad Nauheim is facing a round of construction that could change the face of the city. On October 26, 2025, the city council received an insight into the current negotiations about the future use of building land. Since 2019, the city administration has been discussing with the planners in the regional association and the regional council about how and where young talent projects can be implemented. But the news is sobering: less space for residential buildings and businesses is provided for in the new regional plan. Instead of the previously permitted maximum of 75 hectares of residential space and 33 hectares of commercial land, only 30 hectares of residential buildings and 15 hectares of commercial land may now be used.

The reality is that most of the land is already developed, which further complicates city plans for the future. The magistrate has accepted the brake on growth and is looking for alternatives. There are still ideas for new construction projects: denser residential development at Rosenhof in Rödgen could be possible, as could a continuation of the commercial strip along the former B3 and the Main-Weser Railway. But there are hurdles to overcome here too, as an in-depth environmental impact assessment is necessary for the new Bad Nauheim-Süd development area.

Big challenges in the regional association

Bad Nauheim is not viewed by regional planners as a “relief municipality,” which has a direct impact on the availability of new commercial space. A new location for a planned ice rink is proposed by the city administration, but the regional association is reluctant to seal the existing location. The conversion of the golf course and the driving range, which should be designated as a “park area” in the land use plan, requires special attention. This would make future developments extremely difficult.

• In Steinfurth plant die Stadt, einen Super- und Getränkemarkt sowie Wohnungen zu erstellen, aber das Projekt steht unter dem Natura-2000-Vorbehalt und könnte Schwierigkeiten bereiten.
• Auf dem östlichen Rand von Steinfurth lehnt der Regionalverband neue Wohnhäuser ab, während die Stadt auf eine verkleinerte Neubaufläche zurückgreift.
• In Nieder-Mörlen wird ein großes Neubauvorhaben über 35.000 Quadratmeter gestrichen, was die Stadtverordneten als „nicht nachvollziehbar“ empfinden.
• Über das Wisselsheimer Baugebiet gibt es hingegen Unklarheiten; hier fordert der Regionalverband eine vertiefende Natura-2000-Prüfung.

The city councilors on the building and planning committee now have the task of consulting. The resolutions should be made by the next meeting on November 27th. Citizens can look forward to seeing how developments in Bad Nauheim will continue to unfold and whether the city can show the right hand to implement future-proof planning.

The issues surrounding urban development, land use and urban development measures are more than just dry administration; They affect the heart of our community and belong on the agenda of every politically interested citizen. Urban planning must always keep the needs of the citizens in mind, because working, living and relaxing are crucial basic human needs. Exactly how this is handled is explained by the urban development department in Hanover, where the coordination of usage claims and minimizing conflicts are central goals Hannover.de.

The discussion about land use, development plans and planning decisions will no longer be taboo. Rather, we all have to stay attentive and actively participate in the conversations, because there is something going on!