Urban Development Day – “Garath 2.0” in Düsseldorf

On May 13, 2023, 565 cities and municipalities in Germany will celebrate Urban Development Day. The state capital Düsseldorf is also taking part: the focus is on the “Garath 2.0” district project.

Urban development funding is one of the most important instruments for urban development. Since 1971, it has been supporting cities and municipalities as a joint task of the federal government, federal states and local authorities. New challenges are constantly impacting (co)life in these areas, for example climate protection and adaptation to ongoing climate change, demographic change, digitalization, structural changes, urban identity and social cohesion. This is where urban development funding comes into play. It supports cities and municipalities in overcoming these challenges and helps to find sustainable solutions, create an attractive living environment and strengthen neighborhoods as a whole. Local authorities receive financial assistance from the federal and state governments, which they supplement with their own budget funds. The federal government, federal states and local authorities each contribute around one third.

The federal and state governments, together with the Association of German Cities and the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, also take part in the Day of Urban Development Promotion. Since 2015, the day has provided a forum for all municipalities to present their achievements, successes and urban development projects to the public and celebrate them in a fitting manner. The main aim is to recognize the commitment of the municipalities, their partners and residents.

Under the motto “We in the neighborhood”, German cities and municipalities will become a communal stage for one day. “Community” is probably the most important aspect: the participation of citizens is not only essential for urban development, but is now also a funding requirement for all programs. After all, residents know their neighborhoods best of all.

On Urban Development Day, this can be experienced directly: there are numerous events such as city rallies, construction site tours, exhibitions, workshops and open days. In addition, digital formats are also possible, which show what urban development funding does for municipal development. Find out more here.

In the Düsseldorf district of Garath, that’s quite a lot. As part of the “Social Cohesion” urban development program, the “Garath 2.0 – Shaping Change” project aims to make the district fit for the future in the coming decades. The city began the first measures back in 2018. Based on the participation of residents and a general analysis, the need for action was identified in six areas:

1. Garath centers and local supply
2. Housing
3. Architecture and design
4. Education and employment, culture and leisure
5. Encounters and communication
6. Neighborhood management and participation

In an interim evaluation between August 2020 and February 2021, the StadtRaumKonzept planning office and the Institute for Spatial Research and Real Estate Management reviewed the achievement of objectives to date with the involvement of specialist departments and relevant Garath stakeholders. On the one hand, this was a requirement of the funding body; on the other hand, the evaluation helped to make recommendations for further procedures and fields of action.

Overall, the main aim is to make open spaces and living space attractive and sustainable. The quality of open spaces is to be improved primarily through conversion and redesign projects for green spaces and play areas. One key aspect of this is the upgrading of children’s playgrounds. These are not only important places for play and sport, but also for social interaction and cohesion. For this reason, a total of five playgrounds are being redesigned with different themes. The roadside greenery is also to be ecologically renewed. A more diverse, new seeding improves the existing, species-poor green structure. This approach also enhances the overall appearance of the streets. Furthermore, the state capital of Düsseldorf is also promoting the creation and redesign of semi-public green spaces, the upgrading of facades and the greening of roof surfaces.

At the same time, the question arises as to where and how new – and urgently needed – living space can be integrated. There is very little scope for this in Garath, which is why every potential should be exploited sensibly.

However, the participation process is almost the most important aspect, especially for the Urban Development Day. Numerous residents actively contributed to the concept and thus had a say in which projects should be invested in. In three workshops accompanying the process, participants worked together to develop concrete design and usage proposals. In the second workshop, children and young people were also invited to contribute their suggestions to the process. The results were incorporated into the overall concept.

Children and young people also prepared something for the Urban Development Day: Pupils from Alfred-Herrhausen-Schule and Gesamtschule Stettinger Straße worked together with a designer to create designs for the walls in the center.

Read more: In Munich, too, a neighborhood is to be improved with the help of its residents. Everything about the “Neighborhood/Day of Good Living” here.