Kiel before the choice: naval expansion or housing for 2,000 families?

Kiel before the choice: naval expansion or housing for 2,000 families?

What's going on in Kiel? The Bundeswehr has big plans for the marine location in the state capital. The focus is on the former site of the naval winner squadron 5 (MFG-5) in the Holtenau district. Not only the military presence could be expanded there, but an essential urban development project could also be promoted. According to [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/bundeswehr-prueft-a-marinestandorts-in-Kiel, regionkielnews-236.html) it is planned to start discussions between the city and the Ministry of Defense after the summer break.

The city of Kiel already has extensive plans for the MFG 5 site, which provides more than 2,000 apartments and modern commercial space. Mayor Ulf Kämpfer (SPD) emphasizes the importance of this project and is nevertheless open to discussions with the Bundeswehr. It is now important to find a solution that meets both the needs of the housing market and the security policy requirements.

urban development and economic perspectives

But the expansion of the marine location is not only military relevance. The city plans to sign the purchase contracts for the MFG 5 site this year. This was described by the UV Kiel as an important milestone for the Kiel business location. It remains questionable how the necessary renovation of the site is financed, which is a challenge due to ground salaries. A participation of the state government in the renovation costs could offer a solution here.

The expansion of the marine location would ideally fit into the plans of the city, because the location of the site benefits from a first -class infrastructure with a connection to street, rail, water and airport. This could also lead to strengthening the economy and creating new jobs.

political voices and concerns

Kiel politics is split in relation to the return of the navy to the MfG 5 site. The SPD council faction supports the dialogue with the Bundeswehr and is looking for solutions that combine the military and urban development. The Greens, on the other hand, call for both sides to be taken into account without having to play living space against security. The CDU welcomes the Bundeswehr's plans and also sees alternatives for further housing in Suchsdorf-West. In contrast, the parliamentary group of "Die Linke/the Party" faces the marine plans and emphasizes the urgency affordable living space.

recently the German marine confirmed a large order to the Kiel Schiffbauer TKMS to modernize six submarines. This illustrates how important Kiel remains as a location for the Bundeswehr in the current security policy situation. According to Kieler Leben, the strengthening of air defense and other maritime skills in the north is urgently required.