At the most recent municipal council meeting, City Councillor Friedemann Kalmbach from the FÜR Karlsruhe electoral group tabled an amendment to the Urban Development Concept 2040 (ISEK 2040). The aim of the motion was to create three permanent full-time positions to work continuously on updating and further developing the urban development concept.
“We see a more sustainable way of planning Karlsruhe’s urban development by setting up an internal ‘Stab Zukunft Karlsruhe’ instead of temporary positions and external advice,” explains City Councillor Kalmbach. “This is better done by a team that works locally with the branches of the administration and can adapt to situational changes in the city. Even though our proposal was not accepted this time, we are convinced that this approach would promote knowledge and efficiency within the city administration in the long term.”
FÜR Karlsruhe is convinced that the proposed approach offers several advantages in the long term. These include the sustainable development of internal expertise, cost savings by dispensing with external consulting, a better assessment of local needs and the strengthening of interdisciplinary cooperation within the administration. In addition, an internal city team would ensure that the urban development concept is continuously adapted to current developments.
Despite the rejection of the application, Councillor Kalmbach is optimistic. “Despite the rejection of our motion, the positive reactions from some members of the city council show that our approach is being heeded. We will continue to work to ensure that Karlsruhe’s urban development remains in the hands of dedicated city employees who know our city and its citizens best in the long term.”
