Salzgitter in transition: concerns about integration and urban development are growing

Salzgitter in transition: concerns about integration and urban development are growing

In Salzgitter, a city considered by many to be the region's “problem child,” both locals and immigrants are experiencing the same concerns. The city is struggling with challenges in urban development that are causing anxiety among residents. The recently broadcast ZDF documentary impressively sheds light on life in Salzgitter, especially for people with a migrant background. Not very encouraging for locals: The proportion of foreigners in the city is up to 30 percent, although in some districts, such as Lebenstedt, almost 35 percent of the population has foreign roots.

Opinions about Salzgitter are often negative. A local resident, Stefani Steckhan, who is actively involved in helping refugees, says that her city has changed a lot in the last ten years. “I don’t recognize them anymore,” she says, blaming a lack of resources for the integration. She calls for more teachers, security personnel and educators because, according to Steckhan, the city does not see itself in a position to meet these challenges alone. Refugees, like the Syrian dental technician Haytham Allafi, are also dealing with integration. Allafi, who fled the war in 2015 and now runs a fashion store, feels a certain sense of home in Salzgitter, but still sees a worrying tendency towards the formation of parallel societies among migrants.

Challenges and opportunities of integration

The integration of immigrants is often perceived as not being successful. In a primary school in Salzgitter, just three children speak German as their native language. This represents a significant challenge not only for the students, but also for the teachers. Teacher Christina Scholz reports that she often has to work with symbols and simple language in order to do justice to different language levels. Despite the difficulties, there is also a glimmer of hope: intercultural exchange in the classroom offers the opportunity to build bridges and promote understanding.

The migration figures in Germany illustrate the pressure that is on cities like Salzgitter. According to the 2023 migration report, more and more people are moving to the Federal Republic, 1,932,509 immigrants were registered, while 1,269,545 people left the country. A look at the composition of the migrants shows that the majority come from Europe, but also from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Stefani Steckhan criticizes the fact that Salzgitter has taken in more immigrants than the city can handle. This overload could be a reason why many migrants remain stuck in social network structures without integrating sufficiently into society. A clear signal that the need for suitable integration measures in Salzgitter is high. So there is something to be said, not only for the city government, but also for the citizens themselves - because at the end of the day we are all part of this community.

The challenges of integration in Salzgitter are complex and affect both migrants and locals. The desire for more support and more effective measures is unmistakable. A look into the future shows that only through shared commitment and an open attitude on the part of the population can the path to harmonious coexistence be paved. Will we manage to grow together, or will the fears and worries remain? This question remains open and will continue to determine the discussions in Salzgitter.