New gate to the old town: Stade starts major redesign offensive!

New gate to the old town: Stade starts major redesign offensive!

A lot is happening in Stade, and not just at the roundabout! The access to the historic old town, which was completed at the Schiffertor in late 2022, is developing into an important hub in urban life. The Kreizeitung Wochenblatt reports that the redesign of the area as part of the old town renovation is already in full swing. This renovation measure aims to make the historic old town, a real identification feature for the citizens, shine in new splendor.

Stade has a lot to offer: shopping, culture and leisure are very important here. The old town itself also has a lot of charm to offer with its unique architectural heritage in northern Germany. Nevertheless, old grievances from the preparatory studies from 2018 are still present, such as the accessibility of water areas or the condition of public spaces. We are therefore faced with the challenge of addressing these grievances within the framework of urban development funding, as the City of Stade explains.

Redesign for water tourism

A future-oriented plan is to rethink new opportunities for water tourism and to redesign the area around the old Schiffertorsapotheke and the Börne weir. Stade Marketing and Tourismus GmbH (SMTG) has a good hand at this. The existing footbridge is to be upgraded with an outside staircase, and the underpass under Wallstrasse will be made visually more inviting. The goal: create inviting places for citizens and tourists and make the “gateway to the old town” an attraction.

The public discussion surrounding the design of the old town has already borne fruit after citizens submitted their concerns and suggestions at the workshop on Urban Development Funding Day in May 2024. The central element remains the design of green islands and the creation of seating around these areas.

The role of urban development funding

Urban development funding in Lower Saxony is not just a buzzword. It supports cities and communities in creating sustainable urban development structures. The Niedersachsen provides funding to meet the challenges of demographic change and climate adaptation. For Stade, this means that a large part of the costs can be covered as part of the project. For example, up to 90% of eligible costs are covered by funding, which is good business for the city.

In 2019, the “Stade-Altstadt” redevelopment area was included in urban development funding and is now being implemented in several construction phases. The first construction phase, which includes the footbridge with an outside staircase, is scheduled to begin in 2026. But even before that happens, a sewer line needs to be renovated. A new football field could be the beginning here and symbolize the first big step into the future of the old town. Further projects are being planned and city developers are excited to see what incentives this will bring to the property market.

Overall, one has to say: There is something going on in Stade. City modernization is not just a building project, but an attitude to life and a benefit for all citizens who live here. The new “Gateway to the Old Town” will not only be an aesthetic delight, but also a place that brings people together and strengthens the community.