Aachen – January 2026: Focus on Finance, Culture, and Urban Development

Finance in Focus: Annual Reports and Investments

January 2026 was marked by financial policy decisions. The 2024 Annual Report of the Building Management was approved by the Aachen City Council on the recommendation of the Works Committee. With a total balance sheet of 648.06 million EUR and a loss of –13.71 million EUR, the year was overall negative. The loss will be carried forward to the new accounting year, and the management was discharged from liability. The audit was conducted by the Mittelrheinische Treuhand GmbH, which issued an unqualified confirmation statement.

In addition, the 2026 Business Plan of the Building Management was discussed. It anticipates an operational loss of 3.597 million EUR, with a planned transfer to the operation of 59.096 million EUR. For investments, 26.709 million EUR are allocated, including 5 million EUR for the New Kurhaus as a service for the Eurogress Aachen. In the area of Environment and Energy, 9 photovoltaic systems with 466 kWp were completed in 2025, and 26 systems with 2,580 kWp are planned for 2026.

Culture and Education: Renovations and Projects

There were also cultural developments in January 2026. The Aachen Cultural Enterprise reported a deficit of 572,800 EUR for the third quarter of 2025, mainly due to increased personnel costs. The 2026 Business Plan for the Cultural Enterprise provides for a funding requirement of 25.715 million EUR, of which 25.331 million EUR will be covered by the city. The remaining deficit of 384,200 EUR will be financed from reserves.

Another highlight is the renovation of the Music Shell in Aachen's Kurpark, which will be completed by the end of 2025. After the renovation, it is planned to be used for concerts, theater, readings, and markets, especially from May to September. In addition, stumbling stones for Aachen victims of the Shoah were laid, funded by external projects. The interim report of the Aachen Adult Education Center showed increasing participation numbers, but also losses due to reduced allocations and project funding.

Urban Development and Zoning Procedures

In the area of urban development, there were important decisions in January 2026. The Zoning Plan No. 1015 for the area Liebigstraße / Metzgerstraße was adopted as a regulation together with an accompanying urban development contract. The goal is the creation of an almost car-free open space and the preservation of the tree stock. A Mobility Hub with expanded mobility options and climate protection measures has been bindingly established. In addition, a building freeze for parcel 1498, section 74, Aachen municipality was decided to ensure urban development goals such as the preservation of villa-like buildings.

Furthermore, the draft decision A 313 for a zoning plan in the area Siegelallee / Robert-Schuman-Straße was revoked to make the area eligible for a future sports field. In Aachen-Eilendorf, topics such as childcare, energy-efficient renovations, and budget planning were in focus.

Citizen Participation and Future Visions

Another important topic was the further development of the Aachen Citizens' Council. In the Citizens' Forum meeting on 27 January 2026, an adjustment to the topic identification and procedural structure was discussed. The goal is to more effectively integrate results into political processes and to increase the impact of participation. In addition, two citizen motions were discussed: the traffic calming of Wilmersdorfer Straße and the installation of Tegel swings in Aachen as a contribution to climate adaptation.

Outlook: What's Coming in February?

In February 2026, Aachen will continue to focus on financial planning and urban development projects. The implementation of approved investments and the continuation of zoning plans are central topics. In addition, cultural development with the renovation of the Music Shell and further event formats will be in the spotlight. Citizens are still invited to get involved in committees and participation procedures.