Bielefeld in crisis? Citizens discuss the future of the city!

Bielefeld in crisis? Citizens discuss the future of the city!

In a recently published study, Bielefeld received an overall score of 6.3 in a local check by the NW, which puts the city in last place among comparable districts in the region. Paderborn, Gütersloh, Herford, Höxter and Minden-Lübbecke are well ahead of Bielefeld with values ​​between 6.4 and 6.7. The negative reviews primarily concern issues such as safety, cleanliness, traffic and the digital offering, but education and childcare options are also on the list of points of criticism. According to NW.de, the city is under pressure in terms of its development.

In order to give citizens the opportunity to actively participate in urban development, a series of summer discussions will take place on the Kesselbrink this year. Under the provocative motto: "Is Bielefeld threatened with relegation? What has to happen to prevent that?" Citizens can share their opinions and ideas from July 22nd to August 28th. Dates are planned for July 22nd and 24th and July 29th and 31st, among others. Anyone who wants to take part should register via email to stefan.brams@nw.de, as the conversations will be recorded as part of a journalistic format.

Urban development in focus

The topic of urban development is currently being shaped not only by critical assessments, but also by far-reaching political initiatives in Bielefeld. The aim of urban development policy is to strengthen the city center as a multifunctional place that not only offers trade and services, but also creates space for culture, education and leisure. Bielefeld is viewed as the regional center in the East Westphalia-Lippe region and therefore has a special responsibility for the development of the inner cities, as Bielefeld.de informs.

The corona pandemic has accelerated change in retail and is pushing those responsible to deal comprehensively with the new challenges. In order to advance this process in a structured manner, the City.Team was launched in summer 2021. This team is made up of experts from real estate management and economic development and coordinates the measures for the further development of the city center. The aim is to make the city center more crisis-proof and fit for the future.

Challenges for inner cities

The changes triggered by the pandemic represent a central challenge for urban development. BBSR research projects show that ways to convert former department stores and the role of young people in shaping urban spaces are crucial. Equally important are new models of work and measures to reduce traffic, which will shape the image of inner cities in the future. The publication about inner cities deals with these approaches, which also addresses the effects of online trading on stationary business models. The opportunity to test innovative participation formats is considered essential by BBSR.de.

Active participation in shaping the city is required, and the people of Bielefeld are called upon to bring their ideas and suggestions into the discussions. Because the future of the city center lies in the hands of its citizens. If everyone pulls together, Bielefeld may not only be able to avoid relegation, but also prove to be an attractive place to live and work.