Urban Development in Castrop-Rauxel: Key Decisions in March 2026

Land Use Plan "Fire Station": From Industrial Brownfield to Municipal Infrastructure

In March 2026, Castrop-Rauxel addressed the 8th amendment to the land use plan "Fire Station." The plan concerns a site of approximately 9 hectares in the district of Habinghorst, at the border to Rauxel. The site was once the location of the Rauxel coal-fired power plant and today qualifies as an industrial brownfield.

The planning envisions a differentiated use: north of the Deininghauser Bach, the construction of a fire and rescue station along with further municipal infrastructure is planned, while to the south, sports facilities and a succession area are proposed. The amendment to the land use plan is a prerequisite for Development Plan No. 259, which was also adopted in parallel.

The decision is part of an overarching strategy to use brownfield sites sustainably for new development or to redesign them into open spaces—an essential approach to urban development in Castrop-Rauxel. In addition, the planning incorporates environmental and climate considerations: legacy pollution, stormwater management, and biodiversity compensation are integrated into the plan.

Development Plan No. 259: Legal Framework for a Fire Station in the North and Sports Facilities in the South

Development Plan No. 259 provides the legal basis for the specific use of the site. It stipulates the construction of a fire and rescue station in the northern area, with up to four full storeys and a floor area ratio (GRZ) of 0.5. In the southern area, sports facilities and a succession area are planned, the latter of which is to be left to natural development.

Sustainability aspects of the plan include green roofs, solar installations, and a mobility concept with shared mobility options. In addition, an urban development agreement is planned, which will regulate, among other things, parking requirements, construction obligations, and infrastructure measures.

The planning was the subject of intensive public participation and was discussed in several phases. The city emphasizes that the reuse of an industrial brownfield is welcome from the perspective of soil and open space protection. The financial implications are considerable, which is why funding is being sought.

Urban Development Agreements: Reuse of Old Buildings in the City Center and Deininghausen

Another focus of the meeting was the approval of consents under § 36a Building Code (BauGB) for the reuse of old buildings. Particularly noteworthy is the urban development agreement for the former post office building in the city center. The project envisions edge-of-block development with mixed-use: apartments in different sizes, barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible, supplemented by commercial units, a restaurant, and a day-care center.

The goal is to strengthen the city center as a multifunctional place for retail, services, and residential use. The planning relies on investment security and the inclusion of local actors—a process that took place over several years in multiple phases.

Another project concerns the former parish house in Deininghausen (Weimarer Street 9), which is to be converted into residential use. The reform of the BauGB made such conversions possible—a tool that Castrop-Rauxel is actively using to keep inner-city quarters vibrant.

ISEK City Center: Progress in Urban Renewal

The status report on the ISEK City Center showed that Castrop-Rauxel is on the path to comprehensive urban renewal. The program is part of urban development funding and finances, among other things, competitions, renovation measures, and open space projects.

Among the focal points were the energy-efficient renovation of the town hall, the redesign of the Forumplatz square, and the transformation of the town hall into a "Citizens' Assembly." Funding from the STEP (Urban Development Funding Program) is crucial for the implementation of these projects. The city has opted for a long-term planning approach extending until 2026—a clear signal for sustainable urban renewal.

Outlook: Urban Development as a Process

The decisions in March 2026 show that Castrop-Rauxel is actively committed to sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant urban development. Brownfield sites are being utilized, old buildings are being revitalized, and the city center is being strengthened. In addition, the city is adapting its administrative structures and planning instruments to changing legal and societal conditions—for example, by using the BauGB reform.

In the future, it will be essential to successfully implement the planning projects and to ensure financial and social sustainability. The inclusion of citizens, transparency in the processes, and the use of funding will be decisive factors.