Krefeld in Focus – Monthly Review February 2026

Traffic Safety and Mobility in Focus

What was important this month

• The Mobility Study Krefeld documented 761 accidents involving children aged 6 to 14 in recreational traffic.
• Bicycle racks at Kölner Str. 589 are being evaluated.
• The Uerdinger Straße – a key topic: construction projects and parking solutions.
• 30 km/h zones and bike lanes discussed during the citizen's question hour.

Mobility Study and Bicycle Infrastructure

The Krefeld Mobility Study (2013–2023) has identified significant safety deficiencies in recreational traffic, particularly for children. The study is an important tool for planning future measures. In this context, the city administration is reviewing whether bicycle racks should be installed at Kölner Str. 589. The proposal comes from the CDU and SPD and aims to improve traffic safety and order.

Construction Projects and Parking Solutions

The Uerdinger Straße remains a focal point for traffic concerns. The District Council North has requested a status report on road construction projects, with a particular focus on the burden on residents and the impact on local businesses. In addition, an application by the AfD for temporary parking solutions was withdrawn, showing that the discussion on the traffic situation remains dynamic.

---

Financial Situation: Challenges and Relief

What was important this month

• The 2025 budget ends with a deficit of 165.9 million EUR.
• The city is applying for a relief of 100.7 million EUR under the ASEG-NRW.
• The debt, including state contributions, amounts to 245.297 million EUR.
• Tax revenues and key allocations show declining trends.

Budget Deficit and Debt Relief

The 2025 budget ends with a deficit of 165.9 million euros, with cost categories 52–55 fully blocked. The city is applying for a relief of 100.7 million euros under the Old Debt Relief Act (ASEG-NRW). Despite the relief, a total debt of 245.297 million euros remains.

The financial situation is further complicated by declining tax revenues. The real estate tax B and the municipal share of income tax decreased, while key allocations fell by 42.5 million euros. The city administration is tasked with analyzing the impact of the recent ruling St 3/24 by the Bremen State Court of Audit on municipal budgets – another challenge for financial planning.

---

Urban Development: Plans and Cultural Projects

What was important this month

• Development Plan 865 is the focus of several committees.
• A status report on the City Theater and Kresch is commissioned.
• Parking solutions on the Uerdinger Straße continue to be discussed.

Plans and Cultural Future

Development Plan No. 865, which concerns the development of the Wilhelmshofallee, Kaiserstraße, and Richard-Strauss-Straße, is a central issue in several committees. The District Council North will be consulted before the council meeting to ensure transparency in planning. In addition, a status report on the situation of the City Theater and the youth theater "Kresch" has been commissioned to secure Krefeld's cultural beacon for the future.

---

Culture and Monument Preservation: New Elections and Inquiries

What was important this month

• New election of the Art Advisory Board with three new members.
• New competent citizens in the Culture and Monument Committee.
• Inquiries about electricity supply on squares and fire protection measures.

New Developments in Cultural Policy

In the Committee for Culture, Monuments, and City Partnerships, Anke Zwering and Sandra Cloos were appointed as secretary and deputy secretary. In addition, the Art Advisory Board was re-elected: Fee Bauroth, Lothar Janssen, and Peter Josteit are the new members. Dr. Julia Obladen-Kauder and Ralf Uhlen were appointed as competent citizens.

Three inquiries were discussed in the meeting: one concerning the electricity supply on public squares (application by the Greens), one on safety and fire protection measures for municipal cultural and art assets (application by the FREIE WÄHLER), and one on the inventory of the oil painting "Die Stammgesellschaft Alt-Schicks" in the hunting lodge Burg Linn (application by the Greens).

---

Legal Foundations and Administration

What was important this month

• Approval of meeting minutes in the district councils.
• Legal foundations such as ASEG-NRW, NRW Infrastructure Act, and court rulings in focus.
• Budget security through the district government deemed necessary.

Administration and Legal Framework

The public meetings of the district councils were generally approved, with an objection from Emmerich in the District Council South (DIE LINKE). Legal foundations such as the Old Debt Relief Act (ASEG-NRW), the NRW Infrastructure Act 2025–2036, and the ruling St 3/24 of the Bremen State Court of Audit played a central role in the discussions. The approval of budget security by the district government was considered necessary to ensure the city's financial stability.

---

Conclusion and Outlook

February 2026 in Krefeld was characterized by a high level of responsibility in the area of traffic safety, a challenging financial situation, and significant developments in urban development and cultural policy. The topics of the Uerdinger Straße, Development Plan 865, and financial stabilization remain central. In the coming weeks, it will be particularly interesting to see how the district councils and the council respond to the budget relief and whether the planned measures for safety in recreational traffic and support for cultural life will be implemented.