Velbert in Focus: A Retrospective on February 2026

Urban Development and Climate Protection in the Spotlight

What Was Important This Month

• New Approaches in Urban Planning: The District Committee Velbert-Neviges approved the zoning plan for the fire department area and granted new street dedications that remain cost-free for all residents.
• Climate Protection on Track: The Committee for Climate and Environment presented the interim report on municipal heat planning and emphasized Velbert’s progress in energy efficiency and electromobility.
• Childcare Facilities Expand: The city of Velbert secured childcare places for the kindergarten year 2026/27 and is taking over a new facility under municipal management.
• Culture Remains Vibrant: The Operations Committee for Culture and Event Management presented impressive figures: over 55,000 visitors and 620 events in 2025.
• Youth Participation Strengthens Democracy: The Youth Parliament Velbert discussed summer camps, military service, and the engagement of the women’s network.
• Economic Impulses: The Committee for Economic Promotion recorded an unemployment rate of 8.2% and supported local advertising associations with a total of 44,000 €.

Urban Planning and Mobility: Progress with a Vision for the Future

Velbert proved itself in February 2026 as a city of planning and sustainable mobility. The Committee for Urban Planning and Mobility decided on the installation of pedestrian crossings at Am Kostenberg and Bartelskamp as well as the removal of a LSA (light traffic regulation). The revised responsibility catalog for the Housing Acceleration Program ensures faster building permits.

Particularly notable is the installation of 38 solar-powered lights along the Panoramaradweg – a step toward climate-friendly infrastructure. In addition, a condensed ISEK (Integrated Urban Development Concept) was approved for the U district planning, serving as a basis for urban development funding.

However, differences were also evident in the debate: The SPD criticized the high vacancy rate in the city center, while Velbert assessed the Housing Acceleration Program as too restrictive. Nevertheless, Velbert is on course to meet the challenges of urban development.

Climate Protection: Velbert as a Pioneer

The Committee for Climate and Environment provided important impulses in February 2026 for Velbert’s climate-friendly future. The interim report on municipal heat planning will be publicly presented – a sign of transparency and citizen participation. The city looks back on the completion of the Velbert-Neviges Renovation Management, which enabled 29 activation measures and 74 energy consultations over three years.

Energy counseling led to a CO₂ reduction of 136 tCO₂eq/a, and 8 heating system replacements – including 6 heat pumps – were realized. Velbert is also expanding its electric charging infrastructure and does not charge blocking fees for charging stations during nighttime. These measures show that Velbert is acting as a pioneer in climate protection.

Education and Culture: The Future in the Hands of Children

Velbert has also continued to develop in the educational sector. The Committee for Schools, Education, and Culture submitted inquiries regarding the concept of sealing-free schoolyards and the implementation of the right to full-day childcare. 33 first-grade classes are planned for the school year 2026/27, with class sizes at certain primary schools limited to 25 students to ensure the right to full-day childcare.

With the new school inspector Ms. Gebauer, the city is well-prepared to further promote educational quality and inclusion. In addition, the German Lock and Hardware Museum recorded over 14,000 visitors in 2025 – a sign of Velbert’s cultural attractiveness.

Integration and Equal Opportunities: Inclusive Urban Development

Velbert is also setting new accents in integration. The Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration decided on the introduction of a sponsorship guideline and supported projects such as the SOE office, which has been providing low-threshold integration work since 2025. 1,735 Bulgarian residents in Velbert are a central target group.

The city supports language offers such as KiKoS primary school and KiKoS Family and plans three events in 2026 within the integration program. The committee also supported the reopening of the district service center in Velbert to be closer to citizens.

Culture Remains Vibrant: Events and Structures

The Operations Committee for Culture and Event Management in Velbert showed that culture in Velbert remains lively. In 2025, over 55,000 visitors attended 620 events – an average of 1.7 events per day. The Velberter Kulturloewen and the anniversary year “50 Years of the City of Velbert” were highlights.

Despite deviations in the financial planning, the cultural and event operations remain stable. The operations management is working on the distribution of events and the master obligation to ensure a vibrant cultural scene in the future.

Outlook and Trends

Velbert is moving on multiple levels in February 2026: In urban planning, climate protection, education, and culture. The topics of sustainability, inclusion, and citizen participation are unifying elements shaping urban development. At the same time, debates are emerging about the right balance between speed and quality – for example, in housing construction or inner-city development.

Digitalization, the continuation of climate protection measures, and the strengthening of youth participation remain central challenges. However, Velbert has shown itself to be a city looking toward the future – with clear decisions, but also space for discussion and further development.

Conclusion and Outlook

February 2026 was a month full of impulses in Velbert. From urban planning to culture, from education to integration: Velbert is actively committed to a lively, sustainable, and inclusive urban development. The monthly data show that the city is on course – with clear goals, but also an open attitude toward challenges.

In March 2026, the Sustainability Fair and Solar Day are among the highlights – two further milestones on the way to a climate-friendly and livable city. Velbert remains what it is: a city in transition, but with clear values.