Construction site chaos at Hagenmarkt: Dealers fear for customers!

Construction site chaos at Hagenmarkt: Dealers fear for customers!

There is a lot of turmoil in Braunschweig, as construction sites are a dime a dozen here. Hagenmarkt in particular has become the focus of discussion since the groundbreaking ceremony for a new inner city project took place on August 11, 2025. The residents are anything but enthusiastic because the construction work brings with it a number of challenges. News38 reports that residents and shop owners are increasingly complaining about the conditions.

The mood is tense, and there is a reason for it: business owners like Matthias Katschmareck, who runs the sewing center, are complaining about the threat of a decline in sales, while Bernd Schroers from the interest and advertising group Casparistraße denounces the inadequate planning, especially with regard to signage and accessibility for people with walking difficulties. You literally feel trapped in the network of construction sites, as pedestrians can only find one crossing for a distance of 500 meters.

Redesign of the Hagenmarkt

The cause of the many inconveniences is the ambitious project to redesign the Hagenmarkt. Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum gave the official starting signal on August 11, 2025. The aim is to create an attractive city square that not only offers seating, but also space for various events. In addition, there will be generous outdoor seating areas for restaurants. Regionaltoday highlights that over 80 trees and shrubs will be replanted and effective rainwater management will be integrated.

The construction work, which will also include the closure of the Bohlweg on August 13, 2025, is expected to take around 13 months and cost a total of 7.35 million euros. Part of the funding comes from the “Resilient City Centers” program, which has already provided 1.12 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund. Due to increased costs, an application was even submitted to increase the funding to 1.7 million euros.

The challenges of urban development

While the city is trying to solve residents' problems - be it through better signage or the planned installation of pedestrian traffic lights - the patience of those affected is running out. Pedestrians have to move through a veritable labyrinth, which not only causes frustration but also uncertainty for potential customers. The National Urban Development Policy has taken on the challenge of successful urban development since 2007 by promoting new solutions and sustainable concepts.

Everyone involved agrees: The redevelopment will benefit the city in the long run, but until then, the inconvenience during construction will be a tough pill to swallow for residents and business owners. It remains to be seen whether the city will actually implement the promised improvements. One thing is certain: a good hand is needed in the future to make Braunschweig even more livable.