City News February 2026: Traffic, Culture and More

What Was Important This Month

• Bike Traffic Optimization: The city is focusing on significant improvements in bike traffic along Friedrich-Ebert-Straße. A new marking and better placement of bollards are intended to reduce conflicts.
• New Director for Ulm Theatre: Greta Călinescu was unanimously appointed as the new director. The performance schedule for the 2026–2027 season was approved.
• Youth Support Projects: There are new funding decisions for projects such as "loveonair #ungeniertaufgeklärt" and financial literacy training, but also some projects such as the "Lost-Graffiti-Project" may end due to funding expiration.
• Finances and Investments: The Ulm City Utilities (SWU) and other subsidiary companies presented their 2026 financial plans. New capital reserves and performance guarantees were approved.
• Cancellation of Pre-emption Rights Ordinances: 17 pre-emption rights ordinances for municipal areas were cancelled in order to create legal flexibility for future projects.
• Education Fair 2027: The education fair will be organized independently by the Ulm-Messe GmbH. The city of Ulm is supporting the project with a grant of 75,000 euros.

Traffic and Infrastructure: Focus on Cycling

In February, the committee for urban development, construction, and environment passed key measures to improve traffic safety and quality. In particular, the Friedrich-Ebert-Straße was in focus. The administration recommended Variant 3, in which bollards are shifted to the edge of the road and a continuous colored marking for cyclists is created. The cost of this measure is estimated at 400,000 to 450,000 euros.

In addition, pre-emption rights ordinances for 16 municipal areas were cancelled, including the area of Böblinger Straße – Schillerstraße – Hauffstraße. These measures serve to ensure legal clarity and flexibility in urban development and enable future construction projects.

Culture and Education: New Impulses for Theatre and Museums

In the cultural sector, there were significant personnel and financial decisions in February. Greta Călinescu was unanimously appointed as the new Director of Ulm Theatre. The performance schedule for the 2026–2027 season was approved, ensuring stability for future cultural offerings.

At the museum "Die Einsteins," the 2026–2027 admission fees were set: 8 euros regular, 6 euros reduced, 20 euros family ticket, and 65 euros for group tours. Children under six will continue to enjoy free admission.

In addition, the Education Fair 2027 was approved. The city of Ulm is supporting this project with a grant of 75,000 euros, to be distributed over the years 2026 and 2027. The fair will be organized independently in the future by the Ulm-Messe GmbH.

Youth Support: Projects and Funding

The Youth Welfare Committee discussed several projects in February. For example, the report from the House of Youth Law was reviewed. Particularly noteworthy is the Offender-Victim Reconciliation (TOA), which generated 5,437 euros in 2024 and 4,876 euros until early 2025 in the reporting period.

However, some projects such as the "Lost-Graffiti-Project" may end due to funding termination. In addition, financial literacy training and group offers are ending with the end of the school year 2025/26. New projects such as "loveonair #ungeniertaufgeklärt" and the project supporting young women will continue to be supported.

Finances and Investments: Stability and Investment Planning

The Main Committee passed several financial decisions to ensure the stability and investment planning of the city of Ulm. Thus, free capital reserves were created at the subsidiaries of SWU City Utilities to be able to finance future investments. The SWU Group generated 641,103 euros in total revenue in 2026 and a group profit of 2,239 euros.

In addition, a performance guarantee for the Technical Works Blaubeuren GmbH (TWB) was approved to secure financial risks. The city also approved donations and gifts, with the Main Committee being responsible for donations up to 150,000 euros.

Outlook: What's Coming in March?

Further important topics are on the agenda in March: The Education Fair 2027 will be further detailed, and the Sanierungstreuhand Ulm GmbH will continue to develop its role. In addition, discussions about broadband expansion and traffic planning are ongoing in several districts. Citizens can continue to participate in the district forums and influence the development of their neighborhood.