Cologne in Focus – February 2026

Living in Motion – Mobility and Urban Planning

February focused on changes in the city's traffic landscape. Cologne is becoming more bicycle-friendly: At several intersections, such as Lessingstraße / Venloer Straße, the right-turn-on-red rule was lifted, and the "Green Arrow" for cyclists at red lights was introduced at Platenstraße / Subbelrather Straße. At the same time, the intersection of Vogelsanger Straße / Ehrenfeldgürtel was redesigned – with 30 km/h speed limits, barrier-free access, and improved access to the Heliosschule now in place.

Initial steps were also taken in parking space planning and the development of mobility hubs along Dellbrücker Hauptstraße. In addition, the fireworks ban zone for New Year's Eve in Cologne was expanded – a step toward greater safety and noise protection.

Housing for All – Social Security and Integration

Cologne remains a city that ensures social security even in February. In the discussion on homelessness, options for using vacant homes and the former slaughterhouse site were examined. Furthermore, a proposal was submitted to temporarily house refugees in student and training hostels, taking into account rent costs and supervision.

In the area of addiction support, efforts were made to establish an addiction center at Perlengraben, and the city adopted a zero-tolerance strategy in sensitive areas such as Neumarkt. Housing promotion remained active as well: 193,299 € were allocated for projects such as Fastenbrechen, Reggaeday, and Osterklaaf.

Education, Culture, and Health – Future for the City

Important decisions were made in the field of education. The Catholic Main School on the Rhine will close in 2026/27, and the evening secondary school program will relocate to Judenkirchhofsweg. To ensure the safety and health of Cologne's residents, it was decided to offer annual CPR courses at sports facilities – a project to be implemented on the "Day of Revival" on October 16.

In cultural policy, there were changes in the pricing of municipal venues, including socially affordable discounts and a new cancellation policy. In addition, free entry for social groups was confirmed – a step toward accessibility for all.

Equality and Integration – For Diversity and Inclusion

Cologne continues to actively promote equality and integration. The Women's and Equality Committee addressed issues such as gender-specific healthcare and the rights of LSBTI* individuals. In addition, a series of events was supported that focus on disability policy and intercultural openness.

The city supported 43 intercultural centers with a total of 764,301 € – including the Kurdish Cultural Center and Afina e.V. These projects contribute to making the diversity of Cologne's society visible and vibrant.

Outlook and Trends – A City in Motion

Cologne is moving forward on multiple levels: from urban mobility and social security to culture and equality. At the same time, there is a growing trend toward increased citizen participation and transparent politics – for example through audio recordings in committees or participation processes for major projects such as the Weltstadthaus.

Financial planning remains a central issue: Investments in the green belt, renovations, and new funding frameworks for the Deutzer Hafen clearly show that Cologne is building for the future – with a focus on sustainability, safety, and inclusion.

Conclusion – Cologne Looks Ahead

February 2026 was marked by concrete decisions and plans that directly affect the daily lives of Cologne's residents. Whether in mobility, education, or integration – the city is showing itself to be active and forward-looking. In March, it will be interesting to observe how these measures are implemented and which new topics will shape the discussions.