Change at the top: Alexandra Wirtz will now head housing in Münster

Change at the top: Alexandra Wirtz will now head housing in Münster

Something is happening in Münster: From October 1, 2025, Alexandra Wirtz will take over the management of the city's housing and neighborhood development office. The city council made this decision during its meeting on July 2, 2025. Wirtz, who has been working for the city since 1991 and has gained valuable experience in several offices, will succeed Gabriele Regenitter, who will go on a sabbatical in autumn 2025 and go into well-deserved retirement at the end of 2027. Regenitter led the office for an impressive 26 years.

Alexandra Wirtz brings with her a wealth of know-how: After her long time in the Office of Real Estate Management, where she worked significantly on socially just land use in Münster, she has been working as deputy head and department head in the Office for Housing and Neighborhood Development since 2020. In her new role, she will be responsible for over 80 employees, which represents a real feat of responsibility and scope for creativity.

Focus on neighborhood development

The Office for Housing and Neighborhood Development is the city's central contact point for important services such as housing placement, housing benefit, housing protection and funding, rent indexes and innovative forms of housing. In times when many cities are struggling with changes and challenges, neighborhood development plays a crucial role. According to a publication by the German Association of Cities, neighborhoods are not just administratively defined boundaries, but also spaces capable of action and planning that can offer a real quality of life.

These neighborhoods are small enough to know neighbors and large enough for everyday errands. They are the stage on which community and neighborly cohesion can develop. Germany has a large number of such neighborhoods, which have different socio-cultural and infrastructural characteristics, and they could be the key to overcoming urban challenges. It's about actively reacting to changes and developing resilience to new challenges, which will present Wirtz with major tasks as the new head of office.

Urban development in view

The need for effective urban development is also a hotly debated topic at the federal level. The urban development reports, which are prepared every four years by the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research, highlight current developments and challenges in urban development. These reports are a valuable source of knowledge that addresses topics such as sustainability, demographic changes and social cohesion. They are aimed at political decision-makers and offer a comprehensive overview of the necessary government measures to make cities fit for the future.

In Münster, Alexandra Wirtz's leadership will undoubtedly bring a breath of fresh air. Her many years of experience coupled with a clear vision for neighborhood development could help the city successfully overcome the transformation challenges ahead, while at the same time promoting social cohesion and quality of life. It will be exciting to see how the plans develop under her leadership.

For more information about the new management and the role of the Office for Housing and Neighborhood Development, please visit the City of Münster website: City of Münster, you can find out more about neighborhood development at German Cities Day, as well as detailed information on urban development reports on the website Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research.