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A New EDEKA in the City Center? - Criticism, Pragmatism, Utopia, and Lack of ParticipationThe city center of Weißenfels urgently needs a breath of fresh air, and the planned EDEKA supermarket on the Promenade could be just that. However, opinions in the city council are divided. Eric Stehr has struck a chord with many citizens through his criticism of the city administration and the parking plans. Nevertheless, we should view the project as an opportunity – even if it means making compromises. The reality is: without investments, we’ll remain stagnant. A New Supermarket as a Beacon of Hope for WeißenfelsThe many vacant storefronts in Weißenfels and the partially dilapidated buildings show how unattractive the city has been for investors so far. Too many buildings seem to be merely awaiting a demolition date, and it’s hard to speak of an inviting, vibrant cityscape. A modern supermarket could bring new momentum here. It would provide residents with a long-awaited shopping option right in the city center and could help attract more people to the town – both customers and new businesses.The Problem with Parking SpacesEric Stehr is bothered by a “huge parking lot.” But it won’t be that huge. Stehr’s idea of making the city center largely car-free and turning it into a “bicycle city” may sound appealing to students in a big city with a high proportion of young people. But in Weißenfels, in the Burgenlandkreis, reality looks different. Many people here are older and do their shopping once a week in one big trip. They can’t and don’t want to carry their groceries on foot or transport them by bike through the city. For them, a car is essential. Such ideas are also impractical for commuters or parents with children. We need solutions that respect the needs of both residents and the elderly population.Anyone who wants to cycle in Weißenfels today can do so at any time. But as you can see, not many do. Most people won’t let themselves be re-educated. If the city center is transformed into a more or less car-free zone, retail will die out in the short or long term. Stehr’s idea achieves the opposite of what he wants. Click on the text to fully display Eric Stehr’s post. It’s clear that the new supermarket needs parking spaces to be attractive to customers from the surrounding area. There simply aren’t enough people living within walking distance to sustain the store in the long term. If we don’t give investors the opportunity to attract customers from outside, the project is doomed to fail. A parking garage could be considered, but who will finance it? Parking fees will deter many people, causing them to drive to supermarkets where parking is free. Especially since the offerings at the new EDEKA will be similar. Weißenfels Must Think PragmaticallyWe mustn’t forget that Weißenfels is not a tourist hotspot and likely never will be. This means we need to stay realistic and think pragmatically. If we want a vibrant city center that’s attractive again for people and businesses, we need investors who can make a profit. Without economic incentives, no one will invest here. Eric Stehr may warn of “greedy capitalists,” but without investments, Weißenfels will remain trapped in its current state.It’s important to revitalize Weißenfels’ city center and be willing to make compromises to achieve that. A new EDEKA is not a threat but an opportunity – if we manage to sensibly reconcile the wishes of the citizens, the city, and the investors. Criticism of the City Administration: A Valid PointNevertheless, Stehr hits the nail on the head in one respect: the lack of transparency from the city administration. It’s frustrating when major plans are practically finalized without involving the city council or citizens early in the decision-making process. Especially in a time when people are increasingly losing trust in politics, the administration should prioritize open communication and genuine participation. Citizens should have a say in major projects, and planning should serve as a basis for discussion, flexible enough to be adjusted or even scrapped if it lacks broad public support.If I were a city councilor and had to vote on the proposal directly, I would vote against it solely because neither the citizens nor the councilors were adequately involved. Otherwise, the administration – including the mayor – won’t learn to live democracy. There’s always talk of participation and encouraging citizens to get involved. Yet, in the end, the administration often just tries to convince citizens that what they’ve come up with is the only right solution and should be rubber-stamped. That’s not participation. Author: AI-Translation - Andreas Kaczmarek | 03.11.2024 |
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