At its meeting on Tuesday, July 14, the City Council took the first step by directing that the relevant policy resolution be forwarded to the respective local advisory councils; the City Council is expected to make the final decision on Thursday, September 3. Following that, the formal application can be submitted to the State of Hesse, which will decide on inclusion in the funding program. 

“Urban development funding has clearly made a significant impact in Wiesbaden. In Schelmengraben, a modern neighborhood center and attractive play areas and open spaces have been created. In Gräselberg, projects completed include the fitness trail on Wörther-See-Straße, an outdoor youth center, and the renovation of the Hufeisen playground; in addition, a new neighborhood center is being built there, featuring parent-child residential communities and a parent-child center. In Biebrich-Mitte, too, the modernization of the Betty-Coridass daycare center, the redesign of the Rudolf playground, and the renovation of the Jürgen-Grabowski sports field demonstrate how urban development funding is making a tangible difference in the neighborhoods. Further successful projects can also be found in Westend (the Wellritzstraße and Wellritzhof pedestrian zones) and in Biebrich Southeast, around the BauHof neighborhood office. These consistent efforts have paid off. “That is why we must continue to prioritize urban development funding and now intend to focus on additional areas, such as Klarenthal and Im Sampel,” says Dr. Patricia Becher, Head of the Social Affairs Department. 

Urban development funding is a key instrument used by the federal government, the states, and local municipalities to promote integrated urban development, and it has been providing important impetus for Wiesbaden’s development for more than 25 years. It combines urban revitalization with social measures and improves the quality of life and housing for residents in these neighborhoods over the long term. This includes investments in public spaces, playgrounds and open spaces, green spaces, neighborhood centers, social infrastructure, and measures to improve the residential environment. 

With Klarenthal and the Im Sampel/Krautgärten/Königsfloß area, additional neighborhoods are set to be considered for inclusion in this successful process in the future. Both areas face urban planning, social, and infrastructural challenges while also offering potential for integrated neighborhood development. The basis for the selection of these areas includes, among other things, the social space analysis, current data from the Social Atlas, interdisciplinary needs and potential analyses, as well as on-site visits, tours, and discussions with local political representatives. The local advisory councils have also been involved in the process to date. The insights gained from this process are being incorporated into the preparations for program inclusion. If the areas are included in the program, concrete measures could be prepared and implemented in the coming years in collaboration with local stakeholders. The goal is to create the conditions for sustainable urban and social development in these areas and to be able to utilize federal and state (Hesse) funding in the future. 

With the policy resolution now presented, the state capital of Wiesbaden reaffirms its intention to to propose Klarenthal and the Im Sampel/Krautgärten/Königsfloß area to the State of Hesse for inclusion in the “Social Cohesion” urban development funding program and to initiate the formal application process. This marks the next formal step following the technical review, on-site discussions, and consultation with the local advisory councils. 

For more information on urban development funding and the active funding areas: www.wiesbaden.de/leben-in-wiesbaden/wohnen-bauen/staedtebaufoerderung/ (opens in a new tab)