Fallersleben and Vorsfelde were part of a nationwide funding program designed to sustainably strengthen urban development. Around 1.2 million euros were used to implement projects, organize events and change places - but above all, many things were initiated that will have an impact beyond the programme.

Our centers in transition

"City centers and district centers were and are facing profound change: new consumer behaviour, digitalization, climate protection, sustainability and social participation. With ZIZ, we have strengthened Wolfsburg's centers as multifunctional, resilient places - as a center of life, preservers of tradition and history and drivers of future projects," says Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann.

And with a clear concept: "Our guiding principle '3 centers, 1 concept' looked at all three city centers. It is precisely this different triad of Wolfsburg city center, Fallersleben and Vorsfelde that makes our city so attractive. The focus is on increasing the quality of stay, activating local networks, strengthening culture and the local economy, but above all on visibility and added value for residents. It is important for me to emphasize this: We have achieved this goal, but we are not satisfied with it, we want to keep going!" says Kai-Uwe Hirschheide, First City Councillor and City Planning Councillor.

Jens Hofschröer, City Councillor for Digital and Economic Affairs and Managing Director of WMG, also sees sustainable added value: "Wolfsburg is a young city with tradition. This unique combination is a genuine unique selling point. In this field of tension, the city center, Fallersleben and Vorsfelde are important cornerstones that we want to and will continue to promote in the future."

What we have got off the ground

The two ZentrenBüros were particularly successful, acting as open meeting points and hubs for exchange, participation and idea development. Citizens were able to directly implement their own ideas with the disposition funds - from shuttle buses to tree benches or works of art in public spaces.

There were also major structural changes: the barrier-free castle courtyard in Fallersleben, a new open-air stage in the castle park and the summer lounge on Vorsfeld's church square are just a few examples. With the "three times wow" campaign and the triple mystery scavenger hunt, the WMG also used creative ways to bring the centers to life.

What happens now

Just because the program ends doesn't mean we're stopping. On the contrary: the projects that have been created will be continued. A "Handbook for the Future" provides concrete recommendations for action for both old towns. The disposition funds and the guidelines for reducing vacancies are also to remain in place.

In practical terms, new ideas are being developed: the summer lounge in Vorsfelde will be held again - with seating and plants to improve the quality of stay. A rental and repair station for bicycles and e-bikes is planned in Fallersleben. Other ideas such as drinking fountains and crow-proof litter garbage cans are in preparation.

The federal program Zukunftsfähige Innenstädte und Zentren (ZIZ) was launched in 2021 by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building to support innovative concepts for strengthening resilience and crisis management in cities and municipalities. Wolfsburg was selected as one of 238 municipalities for the funding program. The funding program expired on 30 November.