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Citizens demand a future for Celles Karstadt: Clear solutions required!
The “Altstadt Celle – New Thinking” initiative presents the results of a citizen survey on the future of the Karstadt building in Celle.
Citizens demand a future for Celles Karstadt: Clear solutions required!
Last Saturday, the results of an important citizen survey on the future of the vacant building were revealedKarstadt buildingpresented in Celle. The “Altstadt Celle – New Thinking” initiative reported that a total of 219 citizens took part in the survey. The great public interest in the development of the Karstadt area suggests that many people from Celle are keen to find a quick solution in order to avoid a long construction period that could harm retail. Over 60 percent of those surveyed were clearly in favor of the city acquiring the area. M. Hönig and G. Langhans, the initiative's spokespeople, emphasized how important a clear perspective is for the city center. In addition, over 70 percent of participants would like the city society to be actively involved in the future development of the site.
The initiative sees itself encouraged by the survey results to promote open dialogue and new impulses for inner city development. The aim is to bring politics, administration and citizens together to create a lively and sustainable old town. Celler Presse reports that this commitment reflects the fundamental desire for a lively cityscape.
Political perspectives and demands
The political factions of Alliance 90/The Greens and WG/PARTEI also demand more clarity on the future of the Karstadt building. According to Green Celle, the decision on the Karstadt site was postponed until autumn 2025 due to the interest of a commissioned planning office. Johanna Thomsen (Green Group) and Torsten Schoeps (WG/PARTY) have submitted a joint request for the next council meeting. You would like to receive information about the examination of various scenarios, mobility and parking concepts as well as costs and visibility of the plans.
The particularly explosive question is when the finished concept will be presented to the city and whether sufficient citizen participation is planned. Thomsen and Schoeps emphasize that the “Karstadt” project must not be delayed any further. This makes it clear that pressure is growing from both citizens and politicians to advance the development of the area.
Citizen participation as a key to design
In this context, it becomes clear that citizen participation in urban development is more important than ever. According to [Network Democracy and Participation](https://www.netzwerk-demokratie-und-teilig.de/netzwerkaktivitaeten-informationen/meldeen-publikationen/publikationen/einzelansicht-publikationen/article/ueber-buerger participation-hinaus-stadtentwicklung-als-gemeinschaftsarbeit-analyses-und-konzepte/), the question of the suitability of old concepts and the correctness of demands for more participation is in the room. New developments are observed here that have an impact on the everyday lives of citizens and illustrate how important collaborative solutions are in urban development.
The initiative and the political factions in Celle agree: In order to make the Karstadt area lively, the input of the citizens is needed. A collaborative approach could form the basis for successful urban development that takes all interests into account. This is an exciting challenge that should cause a stir in the coming months - and the people of Celle are helping to shape and support it!