The urban development program "Social Cohesion" aims to improve the quality of housing and life as well as the diversity of use in neighborhoods. It also supports the integration of all population groups and helps to strengthen cohesion in the neighborhood.

Schelmengraben was built in the 1970s according to plans by Ernst May to create urgently needed housing for broad sections of the population. Today, around 6,000 people live there. The neighborhood is characterized by its green, quiet hillside location, a well-developed social infrastructure, and successful intercultural coexistence.

Despite these positive features, Schelmengraben is one of the districts in Wiesbaden with high social needs. For this reason, the measures taken as part of the "Social Cohesion" program focused both on investment-based urban development projects and on non-investment-based approaches. With a total funding volume of around €15.3 million, numerous measures were implemented. The construction measures included the redesign of five playgrounds, the upgrading of green and open spaces, the modernization of buildings, the construction of a new district center, and the creation of barrier-free building entrances. Numerous measures were implemented in close cooperation with GWH Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH Hessen, which owns and manages the majority of the properties in Schelmengraben.

In addition to urban development investments, a special focus was placed on social and non-investment development. As part of this, programs to strengthen employment and education participation (BIWAQ) and measures to promote social participation for children, young people, and adults were implemented. In addition, initiatives for the active participation and activation of citizens in Schelmengraben were established. To implement these tasks, BauHaus Werkstätten Wiesbaden GmbH was commissioned to establish a district management system and operate a district office in the neighborhood.

With the end of the program in 2024, the Schelmengraben district office (opens in a new tab) has been permanently secured as the sponsor of community work in the neighborhood through municipal funding. The Schelmengraben neighborhood council, which has been in existence since 2017, also continues to meet regularly and, as the central citizens' committee, deals with important issues in the district.