Vienenburg's market square: New ideas for a better quality of life!

Vienenburg's market square: New ideas for a better quality of life!

In May 2024, the city of Goslar commissioned a comprehensive feasibility study to upgrade the market square in Vienenburg, which is now showing initial results. This study, initiated with funds from the EU's LEADER program, aims to develop new ideas and options for action for the future design and revitalization of the heart of Vienenburg. How Goslar.de reported, three scenarios were developed to make the central square more attractive and functional.

The feasibility study has its roots in a detailed inventory analysis, which was enriched by workshops with the administration, political members, associations and the owners of the adjacent buildings. This diverse participation of citizens and local actors has helped to incorporate the needs of the community into the development process. The results of the study were presented to the public in the Kaisersaal Vienenburg at the end of August 2025.

Focus of the investigation

The feasibility study is divided into three main focuses: the use of the market square itself, the possibilities of the surrounding properties and the overarching goals of the city as well as their transport accessibility. In this context, it can be seen that the Vienenburg market square currently has a low quality of stay, which is not only due to the design, but also to several empty buildings. Despite its attractive location near the historic train station and the railway museum, the square hardly attracts any visitors, as the project team at CITIES FOR FUTURE determines.

Various project steps were defined for the development of the marketplace. Inventories, short interviews, on-site visits and the analysis of benchmark projects play a central role. Several workshops will discuss how the approaches developed can be put into practice. These include plan representations, visualizations and finally a catalog of measures to revitalize the marketplace. The full feasibility study is available on the city's website and offers a particular focus on sustainability, mobility concepts and climate-friendly urban planning.

Funding applications and future perspectives

In addition, the city administration has submitted an application to support possible measures to the Braunschweig Office for Regional Development in the “Future Spaces of Lower Saxony” funding program. This application includes not only the planning and construction, but also funds for active public participation in the process. With this approach, the city of Goslar also wants to optimally take social concerns and financial conditions into account in order to ensure the long-term and sustainable development of the marketplace.

With the project steps, which were derived from comprehensive participation formats and workshops, the city not only sees the opportunity to improve the quality of stay, but also to send a strong signal of appreciation. This process is a good example of how urban planning and citizen engagement can go hand in hand. Future-oriented concepts are required to make the city of Vienenburg attractive for future generations. Solutions for climate-friendly urban planning are at the center of efforts, as in Report of the city council is highlighted.