Urban Development in Ulm: Focus on Infrastructure, Procurement, and Right of First Refusal in February 2026

Urban Development in Ulm: Key Decisions in February 2026

In February 2026, several important decisions and discussions were at the center of urban development and construction in Ulm. The city focused on sustainable traffic planning, transparency in construction procurement, and legal certainty through the repeal of outdated right of first refusal regulations. The resolutions and plans reflect the city's focus on future-oriented infrastructure and citizen-friendly administration.

Bicycle Traffic in the Friedrich-Ebert-Straße: Variant 5 as a Compromise

The Friedrich-Ebert-Straße, a central traffic axis in Ulm, was the focus of planning discussions. The committee for urban development, construction, and environment deliberated on various variants to improve bicycle traffic. The administration ultimately recommended Variant 5, a pure marking solution using colored delineation of bicycle lanes, with an estimated cost range of 100,000 to 150,000 Euros.

This variant was seen as a compromise between the current situation and more ambitious reconstruction measures. It allows for a significant improvement in traffic safety and flow without extensive construction interventions. Implementation is planned once the 2026 budget is approved and sufficient funding is available. Additionally, it could be executed as part of the renovation of existing damage during the station renovation.

Street Condition Report 2026: Transparent Planning for Future Renovations

In February 2026, the Street Condition Report 2026 was presented, serving as the basis for future renovation measures. The report listed current condition ratings, damage types, and required repairs. Particularly notable is the assessment of so-called risk sections, where urgent action is needed.

A budget of 3 million Euros for 2026 and 4 million Euros for 2027 was planned for comprehensive measures. The city is pursuing systematic prioritization to cover both short-term and long-term repairs. The report was finally acknowledged and marks a milestone for transparent planning in the field of municipal infrastructure.

Repeal of Right of First Refusal Regulations: Legal Certainty and Administrative Simplification

Another important topic was the repeal of right of first refusal regulations in several municipal areas. The regulations, originally enacted to prepare urban development measures, were considered outdated in many cases. In inner and outer city areas, including Söflingen I, Westlich der Fischergasse, and Wiblingen, the urban development goals had already been largely achieved or were no longer relevant.

The repeal serves legal certainty, administrative simplification, and transparency. The regulations were discussed in the committee session on February 3, 2026, and approved by the City Council on February 11, 2026. No separate notification of property owners was required, as the repeal has general effect.

Construction Procurement 2025: Decline in Contract Volume, but Increasing Regional Focus

The city of Ulm is also active in the area of construction procurement. According to the report of the Central Procurement Office (ZVOB), a total of 148 procurement procedures were newly initiated in 2025, of which 110 were completed. Compared to the previous year, the total number of procedures decreased by 17 %, due to project delays and a lower volume.

The construction volume in 2025 amounted to 35.756 million Euros, significantly below the previous year's figure of 105.08 million Euros. Nevertheless, Ulm remained a strong partner for regional companies: over 40 % of the contracts were awarded to local businesses. The largest individual contract amounted to 3.3 million Euros for the renovation of refugee accommodations in the Donautalstraße.

For 2026, an increase in procurement procedures is expected, especially with the start of large projects such as the State Garden Show and the new construction of the Children's and Youth Theater. In addition, the report forecasts a 2.5 % increase in construction prices, which must be taken into account in planning.

Outlook: Urban Development in the Sign of Sustainability and Transparency

The decisions and plans of February 2026 underline that Ulm is committed to sustainable and transparent urban development. The city is investing strategically in infrastructure, environmental friendliness, and administrative simplification. At the same time, it remains a strong partner for local companies and provides impulses for the regional economy.

In 2026, it will become clear whether the adopted measures can be successfully implemented in practice – and whether Ulm can pursue its goals in the field of urban development and construction in the long term.