Lüneburg in March 2026: Focus on Mobility, Education, and Foundation Work

Mobility and Climate Protection on Track

What was important this month:

• The Mobility Committee advocated for a strong bicycle network and approved plans for the Lüneburg Bicycle Ring.
• The CityRAD station will be set up in a central location – with space for around 20 parking spots.
• The full-day operation at primary schools is now financially secured – a milestone for families and education.
• The Hospitals’ Foundations discussed new construction areas and the future of the Senior and Care Center.
• Funding of over 2.6 million euros ensures the implementation of climate-friendly projects.

Lüneburg Bicycle Ring: Climate Protection on Two Wheels

The Mobility Committee made key decisions in March regarding the Bicycle Traffic Strategy 2035. The focus was on the planning of the Lüneburg Bicycle Ring and the reactivation of the railway line Soltau–Lüneburg as part of climate-friendly mobility.

In the section Marienplatz, Am Ochsenmarkt including Bardowicker Straße, it was decided to carry out the design planning, approval planning, execution planning, and preparation of tendering in accordance with § 47 HOAI. The costs and planning are to be included in the budget plans for 2027 and beyond, and the Administrative Committee must give approval before construction can begin.

The bicycle street will be implemented with a total width of 8.00 m (including 5.00 m of road surface and 3.00 m of multifunctional strip). The CityRAD station will be flexibly established near the current location, and around 20 parking spaces are planned for the northern multifunctional strip.

In the section Altenbrückertorstraße/Ilmenaustraße, a pseudo-bicycle street will be developed. The preliminary planning was accepted, and the performance phases 3 to 6 in accordance with § 47 HOAI have been commissioned. The funding eligibility under the federal program "Climate Protection through Cycling" is secured.

The overall project Lüneburg Bicycle Ring is planned with a budget of 3.23 million euros for the years 2025 to 2027. 2.64 million euros in funding from the National Climate Initiative (NKI) have been approved, and the funding period runs from 01.10.2025 to 30.09.2029.

Full-Day School Operation: Security for Families

The School Committee made key decisions in March 2026 to ensure the full-day school operation in Lüneburg. The committee recommended to the Council that the city be tasked with funding the full-day school operation in the school year 2026/2027, in order to implement the right to full-day care.

The funding will burden the municipal budget with 1,074,900 euros in 2026 and 2,393,600 euros in 2027. Additionally, 957,900 euros are planned for holiday and out-of-hours care. The administration plans to hold a meeting with all relevant stakeholders to present the framework concept, and approvals from the Regional School and Education Office (RLSB) are planned for early May 2026.

Four full-day coordinators (each at 0.5 full-time equivalents) are to be appointed by 01.08.2026 at the latest. The administration has already submitted applications for five primary schools, with the Lüne Primary School submitting an application independently.

Foundation Work and Land Development: Securing the Future of the City

The Board of the Hospitals’ Foundations met in March for a closed-door session to discuss the future use of foundation-owned plots of land and Senior and Care Centers. A key focus was the development of a new construction area in Bardowick.

The foundations also discussed the funding application 2025/2026ff and provided an outlook for the future. Matters related to plots of land were also addressed, including land security contracts A39. Although no specific figures were mentioned, the exchange on land development and social offerings is a central part of foundation work.

Looking Beyond the Plate: Climate Protection, Education, and Land Development

The developments in March paint a clear picture: Climate protection through cycling, education policy with a right to full-day care, and land development with a social focus shape the city's current actions. These topics are not isolated, but interlinked – climate protection influences mobility, education enables social participation, and land development is the foundation for future-proof urban development.

The cooperation between the administration, politics, schools, and foundations is key. The city has shown that it can mobilize resources and implement concrete projects – both financially and politically. The challenge remains to sustainably implement these projects and communicate them transparently.

Conclusion and Outlook

March 2026 was marked in Lüneburg by clear decisions and concrete planning. The bicycle ring is a milestone for climate-friendly mobility, the full-day school operation secures educational equality, and the foundations are preparing future land development. The city has shown that it has capacity for action and uses funding effectively.

In April, the focus will be on the approvals for full-day schools, the preparation of land development in Bardowick, and the further implementation of the bicycle ring. Citizens should look forward to further concrete steps and open communication – because only this way can Lüneburg jointly master the challenges of the future.