Urban Development in Nürnberg: Highlights from January 2026

Urban Renewal Completed and New Projects Initiated

In January 2026, the focus in Nürnberg was on the final stages of several urban renewal areas as well as the planning of new districts and infrastructure developments. The City Planning Committee discussed key decisions on January 22 that will shape the urban development future of the city.

Annapark District: New Impulses through Urban Renewal

The urban renewal area "Annapark District" is a central focus of current planning. After completing the preliminary investigations under § 141 BauGB, a draft ordinance for the formal designation of the renewal area under § 142 BauGB was submitted. The goal of the renovation is to address urban development deficits and initiate new development measures.

The total costs amount to 2,905,000 euros, with 1,000,000 euros already allocated in the budget. The City Planning Committee recommended proceeding with the renovation and applying simplified procedures under § 142 (4) BauGB. The City Council confirmed this recommendation and set the process in motion.

Completion of the Galgenhof/Steinbühl and Gleißhammer/St. Peter Renewal Areas

With the completion of the renovation work, the ordinances for the urban renewal areas "South City – Galgenhof/Steinbühl" and "Gleißhammer/St. Peter" were also revoked. Both projects were part of the federal program "Social City" and the urban development promotion program "Growth and Sustainable Renewal."

The renovation work brought comprehensive improvements to the districts, including structural enhancements, social infrastructure development, and the creation of appealing living spaces. A brochure documents the achieved results and serves as a guide for future projects.

Langwasser: Potential for Sustainable Development

In the area of Langwasser, work is currently underway to update the potential analysis. In addition, the former "Social City" area will be revoked, and the ordinance will be amended. Langwasser is a key district for the future of urban development in Nürnberg. The planned measures aim at a sustainable, livable, and future-oriented urban structure.

Katzwang Solar Park: Energy Policy Meets Urban Planning

Another central project is the Katzwang Solar Park, which is to be realized by a site-specific zoning plan below the A6, along the Main-Danube Canal, and near Hirschenholzstraße. The open-space solar park will be operated by Greeno Solarprojekt 123 GmbH & Co. KG and is part of the city of Nürnberg's climate policy strategy.

After the end of the usage period, a complete dismantling is planned to make the land usable for agriculture again. The planning also includes greening measures, nature conservation, and monitoring. The draft zoning plan has been submitted for approval and is publicly accessible.

Accelerating Housing Construction with the "Bau-Turbo" Law

Nürnberg is also implementing the so-called "Bau-Turbo" law (§ 34 Abs. 3b BauGB) to accelerate housing construction. For example, a residential building on Wörnitzstraße was approved, even though the permissible built-up area was exceeded. The urban development objective was accepted, and the project can now be implemented.

Conclusion: A City in Transition

January 2026 marks a milestone in the urban development of Nürnberg. With completed renovation projects, new district planning, and energy policy flagship projects such as the Katzwang Solar Park, the city demonstrates how it is addressing the challenges of the future. The combination of sustainability, social infrastructure, and efficient administration shows that Nürnberg is not only building for the present but also for the future.