Pohlheim in Focus – Monthly Review February 2026

What was important this month

• Youth councils in Garbenteich and Holzheim re-elected: A new youth council was unanimously approved in Garbenteich. In Holzheim, Jona Konstantin Rauch was nominated as a representative for the Children's and Youth Council.
• Indoor pool renovation in focus: Several committees submitted motions to clarify the current status of the renovation and to examine reports and funding.
• New building plans in Holzheim and Hausen: The Committee for Construction, Urban Development, and Environment approved several zoning plans or sent them into the preliminary planning phase.
• Strengthened public participation: The Local Council Grüningen offered an open citizen consultation, and in Holzheim, specific suggestions from residents were collected.
• Environment and green spaces: Trees were planted in Garbenteich to improve the microclimate. Additionally, a chestnut tree on Dorf-Güller Street was felled and replaced.

Youth in the spotlight

Youth participation was significantly strengthened in February 2026. In Garbenteich, the youth council was unanimously re-elected with Scharbel Saffo, Alma Jung, Jannis Heinemann, and Moritz Happel. In Holzheim, Jona Konstantin Rauch was nominated as a representative for the Children's and Youth Council. The city also passed an amendment to the Children's and Youth Council regulations to structurally improve participation. These measures show that Pohlheim takes the voices of the younger generation seriously and actively includes them in local political planning.

Construction and urban development

In February 2026, the Committee for Construction, Urban Development, and Environment made several important decisions. The zoning plan "Wohnresidenz Zur Langwiese" in Holzheim was approved, as well as the decision to establish the zoning plan "Butzbacher Straße." For the sports facility Anneröder Berg in Hausen, an early public consultation was initiated. In addition, a proposal was submitted to designate a part of the sports facility Bettenberg in Holzheim as an inner-town building area.

The city administration was tasked with preparing a detailed report on the indoor pool renovation, including assessments, costs, and funding. It was also examined whether KfW funding could be used for trees on the fairground square. These measures show that Pohlheim is actively working on the city's future development and considers both economic and ecological aspects.

Budget and finances

The Main and Finance Committee passed the audited annual accounts for 2019. The balance sheet total was 78.2 million euros, with a result of just under 2.6 million euros. The city administration received a vote of confidence in accordance with the Hessian Municipal Code. In addition, the revised version of the indoor facility usage regulations was discussed and passed. In the fiscal year 2019, there were budget overruns totaling 570,341 euros, indicating a lack of budget control. The city also discussed the sale of a building plot in the district of Hausen in a closed session.

Cross-sectional observation: Tensions between planning and participation

A central theme in February was the balance between planning and public participation. On the one hand, important decisions were made in committees that were often only discussed to a limited extent in public. On the other hand, initiatives such as the open citizen consultation in Grüningen or the local tour in Holzheim demonstrated the possibility of stronger inclusion of the population. This tension between efficient decision-making and transparent participation remains central to the future of municipal work in Pohlheim.

Conclusion and outlook

February 2026 in Pohlheim was characterized by structural changes, new projects, and increased public participation. The youth participation was reorganized, building plans were approved, and the city's finances were reviewed. In March 2026, further meetings of the local councils and committees are scheduled, in which further decisions on the indoor pool renovation and urban development are expected. Residents can look forward to more transparency and inclusion – provided the planned measures are consistently implemented.