Hannover 2026: Urban Development and Building Culture in Focus

Strengthening the Mix of Uses in the City Center

The SPD faction submitted a motion to strengthen the mix of uses in the city center through a package of measures. The goal is to actively utilize vacant spaces and make the urban space more vibrant through pop-up uses, social projects, and commercial initiatives. An instrument for activating vacant spaces will be established within the city center management. Mixed-use concepts, including guidelines for projects such as intergenerational centers or combined residential and office spaces, are to be developed. Funding options, such as the North Rhine-Westphalia program "Future-Ready City Centers and Town Centers," will be evaluated. The motion provides for a report after 12 months to document progress and adjustments.

Special Use Ordinance: Regulations for Restaurants, Advertising, and Sales

A comprehensive amendment to the special use ordinance was proposed and defined in the detailed provisions. Restaurant spaces are given clear guidelines for demarcation, lighting, and wind protection. Gas-fired heating pillars on public spaces are prohibited. Shopkeepers are allowed to hold one-day promotional events in front of their businesses up to five times per year. Sales stands in the city center, Lister Meile, and Limmer Straße remain prohibited outside of events. Permanent and mobile sales stands outside these areas can be regulated via quotas and a transparent selection process. Waste containers, E-scooters, and bike-sharing stations have been newly added as special uses requiring permits.

Land Sale at Kronsberg Süd: Housing and Infrastructure

The sale of a building plot at Kronsberg Süd (Plot C5) is part of the zoning plan No. 1553. The goal is to create more than 4,000 residential units with access and green spaces, as well as the necessary infrastructure. The project site is divided into three sections. Plot C5 was awarded to a buyer through a tender process, and a high-rise building competition was conducted. The development will be carried out within the provisions of the zoning plan (General Residential Area, Ground Floor Ratio 0.45, Floor Area Ratio 1.6, four stories). The measure is intended to ease the housing market and improve urban climate quality.

Financial Relief for Retail

The CDU faction proposed financial relief for retail in Hannover, which is affected by long-term construction sites. Proposed measures include the review of options such as deferring or reducing advance payments of business tax to cushion revenue losses and prevent insolvencies. The relief is to be limited to the duration of the construction project and apply only to businesses whose access has been significantly affected for more than a month.

Outlook: Urban Development 2026+

The January decisions in Hannover show a clear trend: The city is investing in a modern, vibrant, and inclusive building culture. Through flexible special use regulations, targeted activation of vacant spaces, and investments in housing, the urban space is being redeveloped. At the same time, financial support for retail is intended to ensure economic stability in affected neighborhoods. These measures are not only reactive but also preventive: they aim at long-term stability, diversity, and quality of life in the state capital.