Castrop-Rauxel in Focus – Monthly Review February 2026

Social Security and Integration in the Spotlight

What Was Important This Month

• Orange as a Symbol Against Domestic Violence: The Council unanimously decided to install orange benches at public locations.
• Improved Safety on the School Route: Sidewalk widening and lowering for wheelchair users at the Cottenburgschule.
• Newly Constituted Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration: With 11 new members and clear structures.
• Initiated Participation Regulation: The CDU's proposal to draft a regulation was approved with 55 yes votes.
• 2026 Supplementary Budget Adopted: The budget regulation was unanimously passed.
• New Delegates for Important Bodies: Castrop-Rauxel appointed representatives for the municipal association and other committees.

Security and Mobility: Practical Approaches in Focus

In February, the city of Castrop-Rauxel focused more closely on issues of public safety and mobility. Committee 2 unanimously decided to improve school route safety to the Cottenburgschule by widening and lowering the sidewalks. These measures are specifically aimed at barrier-free access and are a step toward a family-friendly city. The administration has been tasked with continuing the planning.

At the same time, the Municipal Council decided to install orange benches as a symbol against domestic violence – a visible statement against violence in one’s own home. The administration is now responsible for planning the locations, design, and potential cooperation partners.

Integration and Equal Opportunities: New Structures

With the reconstitution of the Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration, Castrop-Rauxel took a new step toward inclusion and equal opportunities. In the first meeting, 11 new committee members were sworn in, including Zouhair Allali as chair and Aziza Hida as vice chair. The rules of procedure were adopted and will come into effect on 26.01.2026. The committee will also discuss the house rules for municipal accommodations in the coming weeks.

Another focus in this area was the consultation on the structure of homeless assistance, where the administration presented the current situation. The committee addressed support for homeless individuals and unanimously approved a review of measures.

Budget Security and Citizen Participation

In the City Council, the 2026 Supplementary Budget was the central topic. The draft was unanimously passed, and in addition, the draft of the revised budget security concept was approved. These measures are part of long-term financial planning and contribute to the stability of the city's finances.

Another milestone was the approval of the draft citizen participation regulation. The proposal from the CDU faction was accepted with 55 yes votes, marking a step toward more participation and transparency in local decision-making processes. In the future, citizens will be more actively involved in city planning.

Integration and Security: Two Pillars for the Future

The topics of integration and public safety were particularly in focus this month. With the reconstitution of the Integration Committee and the planning of measures to prevent domestic violence, Castrop-Rauxel shows that social issues have a high priority in urban development. At the same time, school route safety is being specifically addressed to ensure the safety of the younger generation.

The connection between social work, security, and participation will become even closer in the coming months. The planned citizen participation regulation, for example, could also provide new impetus in these areas.

Conclusion and Outlook

February 2026 was a month of clear decisions for Castrop-Rauxel in social, financial, and integrative matters. The city is setting impulses in the direction of equality, security, and citizen participation. In the coming weeks and months, the implementation of the adopted measures can be expected – for example, the installation of orange benches or the further development of school route safety.

The structural changes in the Integration Committee and the re-election of committee members also contribute to the city's stability and future viability. The inclusion of citizens in decision-making processes will become even more pronounced in the next few months – a positive signal for an open and vibrant municipality.