Economic Development in Hannover: Event Acquisition, Small Garden Development, and Financing in March 2026

Economic Development in Hannover: Event Acquisition, Small Garden Development, and Financing

The economic development of Hannover in March 2026 was shaped by a range of measures affecting the event sector, the small garden landscape, and the city's financial security. Municipal economic promotion focused on three pillars: event acquisition, infrastructure development, and financial planning. The decisions made during the meeting on March 6, 2026 (20260306_AAWL) illustrate how Hannover is positioning itself as an attractive economic location while simultaneously taking ecological and social responsibility seriously.

Event Acquisition: Strengthening the Trade Fair and Congress Sector

In March 2026, the city of Hannover further developed its strategy for event acquisition. A budget of 250,000 € per year from the accommodation tax is used to support the acquisition of trade fairs, congresses, and other major events. The goal is to stabilize the utilization of the exhibition and event center while simultaneously increasing value creation in the areas of hotel, catering, and mobility.

The support criteria have been tightened: the maximum support rate has been reduced to 30%, and the maximum grant per event is limited to 150,000 €. Events must last at least two days and ensure a certain number of overnight stays. In addition, value creation for the city is a decisive evaluation criterion. The applicant circle has been extended to a European level, while political parties and local authorities have been excluded from funding.

The grant committee, led by the Director of Economy and Environment, decides on funding. Applications are submitted digitally via the city's grant portal, making the process more transparent and efficient.

Small Garden Development: Securing and Modernizing

Another central topic in economic development was the revision of the small garden development concept (KEK26+). The concept from 2016–2025 (KGK16–25) is being gradually replaced and continued until 2036. The goal is to secure and further develop small garden areas, especially in view of the planned housing construction until 2035, which will include 17,000 new housing units.

The city plans to create up to 2,915 new plots through densification, reactivation, and conversion. At the same time, a moratorium on land use is maintained to protect biodiversity and stabilize building rights. The costs for renovation and modernization measures in the small garden areas amount to 6.835 million €, with the preservation and development of the existing areas until 2036 costing approximately 21.1 million €.

Ecological aspects play a central role: small gardens contribute to climate regulation, biodiversity, stormwater protection, and quality of life. Concrete measures such as underground power supply, tree registration, and green connections are included in the development plans.

Financing: Budget Planning and Grant Funding

The financing of economic promotion in Hannover is based on a combination of budget funds, reserves, and grant money. For the period 2026–2036, a budget framework for the small garden development concept (KEK26+) has been planned. The total costs for KEK26+ amount to approximately 21.1 million €, with personnel costs of 4.81 million € making up a significant share.

In addition, Hannover benefits from federal programs and KfW funding, which can cover up to 90% of the costs for climate protection and adaptation measures. Funding takes place over several budget years, with the exact planning depending on the financial situation.

In the area of investment and consumption expenditures (2025–2026), 8.67 million € were budgeted, including 1.9 million € for investments and 5.59 million € for consumption expenditures. Personnel costs for economic promotion are increasing in the long term, particularly in the salary groups E12 and E9C.

Outlook: Hannover as an Economic Location in 2035

The decisions in March 2026 show how Hannover is positioning itself as an attractive economic location. The combination of event acquisition, small garden development, and targeted financing not only secures economic impulses but also ecological and social stability.

By securing small garden areas, supporting events, and integrating climate-friendly measures into urban development strategies, Hannover has developed a long-term plan that pursues both economic and ecological goals. In the coming years, it will be crucial to accelerate the implementation of these plans and overcome bottlenecks in land planning and administration.