Urban Development in Neuss: Focus on Bauturbo, Vacant Properties, and Urban Planning for the Future

Urban Development in Motion: Bauturbo as a Key to More Housing

In February 2026, the Committee for Planning, Urban Development, and Inner City Strengthening met in Neuss and intensively discussed the implementation of the Bauturbo, a tool for accelerating housing construction enabled by the German Building Code (BauGB). The administration was tasked with applying the Bauturbo on a project-specific basis, always keeping urban planning concepts and requirements in focus.

The application of the Bauturbo is not comprehensive but will be evaluated on a district-by-district basis. In particular, planning sections in residential areas will be considered separately. Furthermore, the city's authority is emphasized, especially regarding the early involvement of local stakeholders. The administration plans to conduct an evaluation after one year to gather practical experiences.

This decision reflects the pressure caused by housing shortages in many cities. The Bauturbo aims to reduce the time required for approval procedures and accelerate the construction of new housing. At the same time, the city remains committed to not losing sight of urban planning quality and social aspects.

Combating Vacant Properties: New Impulses for the City Center

The discussion on vacant properties, particularly in the city center area, was another key focus. The Woolworth site and the former C&A building were central to these discussions. It is being examined whether the lease for Woolworth can be extended to prevent vacancies. In addition, it is being discussed whether the C&A building could be converted into residential development.

The city also plans an information event on March 12, 2026, at the Zeughaus, to involve the public in the discussion about the future development of the city center. Funding applications are being submitted to support the activation of vacant spaces. Moreover, the city is taking the initiative in the convention, which covers more than half of the area.

These measures show how important it is to actively combat inner-city vacancies. In a time when city centers face many challenges, the creation of attractive and diverse usage concepts is crucial.

Construction Planning and Infrastructure: Furth-Süd and Silbersee in Discussion

Another focus was the urban planning in the Furth-Süd and Silbersee areas. In the Furth-Süd building area (Further Straße/Josefstraße), questions regarding traffic management, particularly the feasibility of a two-sided cycle path, were discussed. The administration has completed the design planning for the Morgensternsheide stop; however, the detailed planning is still pending.

In the Silbersee area, which belongs to the city of Dormagen, the city's statement was discussed. Issues such as soil protection (former RWE site) and traffic planning were at the forefront. In addition, the expansion of the A57 motorway to six lanes was noted, which will be a prerequisite for the Delrath interchange.

Planning such urban development projects requires not only technical expertise but also a long-term outlook. The decisions made today will shape urban development in the coming decades.

Financing and Investments: Private Initiatives Strengthen Urban Development

In the past two years, 450,000 € in private investments have already been recorded in Neuss. An additional 1.635 million € could be activated through direct involvement in projects. Housing projects, defined by the I-SEK, are privately financed, with exceptions for subsidized housing.

For the redesign of local centers, 50,000 € has been planned for 2026 and 2027, which is significantly less than in 2025. The continuation of the local center concept foresees a gradual processing of focus areas in Erfttal and Grefrath starting in 2026. The expansion of the Barbaraplatz, however, has been postponed due to the 2026 State Garden Show.

Financing urban development projects remains a challenge. The city relies on a combination of public funding and private initiatives to provide the necessary resources for the development and enhancement of urban spaces.

Outlook: Urban Development as a Process of Shaping

The decisions made in February 2026 in the committee show how multifaceted urban development is in Neuss. The Bauturbo, the fight against vacancies, the planning of new residential areas, and the financing of urban development projects are just some of the issues that will be decisive in the coming years.

The city of Neuss faces the challenge of shaping its urban development in a way that meets the demands of the present and remains sustainable in the long term. With the active involvement of the population, the use of funding and cooperation with private investors, Neuss has good prospects of mastering these challenges.