Cottbus Monthly Blog – March 2026: Key Topics in Focus

Urban Development and Neighborhood: An Active March

What was important this month

• The Mayor visited several districts, including Merzdorf and Branitz, to discuss on-site topics such as school route safety and the maintenance of green spaces.
• In the local advisory councils, the planning of the 2026 association year and the spring clean-up were central.
• The preservation regulations for the old town and the north and south suburbs were unanimously adopted.
• The zoning plans for the residential area of Chausseestraße and the innovation district of Lausitz Science Park were discussed.
• The Youth Welfare Committee took up the annual theme of “mental health.”
• Discussions took place on inclusion in day-care centers and barrier-free administration.

District Tours and Citizen Participation: Closeness to the Population

In March, the Mayor visited several Cottbus districts to gain an on-site impression of current issues. In Merzdorf, the focus was, among other things, on school route safety, the planning of the multi-purpose hall, and the parking of e-scooters. In Branitz, topics such as the Branitzer Badesee, the Kiekebuscher Straße, and the electric charging station were discussed. These tours are an important element of citizen participation and show how strongly the administration responds to local needs.

In parallel, current topics were discussed in the local advisory councils. In Willmersdorf, the evaluation of the association year and the planning for 2026 were in the foreground. In Groß Gaglow, the district tour from February 2026 was reviewed, and local topics such as green space maintenance and infrastructure were further developed.

Youth Welfare and Inclusion: Focus on Mental Health and Accessibility

March 2026 was marked by intensive discussions on youth welfare and inclusion. In the Youth Welfare Committee, the annual theme of "mental health" was addressed, and reports were given on school social work and effectiveness analyses. In the subcommittee on youth welfare planning, the "PERMA.teach" program was introduced, which aims to promote positive pedagogy in kindergartens and schools.

In the advisory council for people with disabilities, topics such as the local participation plan, barrier-free administration, and sports offerings for people with disabilities were discussed. In addition, a report on the current status of the medical center for adult people with disabilities was presented. These topics show how strongly Cottbus is focusing on inclusion and participation.

Climate Protection and Mobility: Steps Toward Sustainability

There were also relevant discussions in the area of climate protection and mobility in March 2026. In several committees, the transition to clean vehicle technologies was discussed, with Cottbusverkehr GmbH tasked with preparing a strategy paper. In addition, the design regulation for the old town of Cottbus/Chóśebuz was unanimously adopted – a measure that ensures the preservation of the cityscape.

In the environmental area, discussions took place on the Climate Kit and the cost-benefit analysis of climate protection measures. The administration is therefore actively working on solutions that make the city more climate-resilient.

Cross-Cutting Trends: Citizen Participation and Sustainability

An overarching theme in March 2026 was the strengthening of citizen participation. Whether through district tours, local advisory council meetings, or participation formats such as the BNE Stammtisch, Cottbus is focusing on dialogue and joint shaping. At the same time, it is becoming clear that sustainability and inclusion are increasingly influencing political discussions. Topics such as mental health, barrier-free administration, and CO₂-neutral technologies point to a forward-looking policy.

Conclusion and Outlook

March 2026 in Cottbus was characterized by a wide range of topics that touched both local and higher-level interests. From strengthening neighborhoods, through youth welfare, to climate protection – the city is working on a broad range of initiatives. In April 2026, the planned expert day "Effectiveness" in the field of youth welfare will be the focus, providing further impulses for municipal work.