April 2026: Urban Development, Integration, and Mobility in Witten

What was important this month

• The Zoning Plan 239 "Waldstraße/Buchenholz" was established, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, forest compensation, and green roofs.
• Ms. Nana Shanava was appointed spokesperson for the Event Working Group, and criteria for project funding were adopted.
• The Volunteer Card now grants a free hour of parking on public parking spaces.
• The Mobility and Traffic Committee passed measures for urban development and carsharing, as well as traffic calming in Rüsbergstraße.
• The Audit Committee confirmed proper accounting and recommended improvements to the IT security concept.

Urban Development and Environment: Sustainability in Focus

The Committee for Urban Development, Environment, and Climate approved the Zoning Plan 239 "Waldstraße/Buchenholz" 1st Amendment on April 30, 2026. The plan includes access via Waldstraße and Ardeystraße, with a total of 33 car parking spaces and 50 bicycle parking spaces. Particularly noteworthy is the ecological compensation: 3,670 m² of forest area must be compensated, for which reafforestation on 26,504 m² is planned in the municipality of Durchholz.

In addition, green roofs are required for buildings with a slope of up to 15° – using sedum species and native wild herbs for extensive greening. This measure underscores the city's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly construction projects, in line with § 3 Abs. 2 Building Code and ensuring broad public participation.

Equity and Integration: Responsibility and Connections

The Committee for Equity and Integration engaged intensively in April with topics such as volunteering, asylum policy, and integration work. A central decision was the introduction of a free parking hour for holders of the Volunteer Card – a clear signal of appreciation for voluntary work in Witten.

In addition, a motion by the AfD faction to introduce non-profit work under the Asylum Benefits Act (AsylbLG) was discussed. The city administration was tasked with examining the conditions for implementation. Currently, 251 recipients of benefits under the AsylbLG live in Witten, of which 30 qualify for work opportunities after excluding relevant criteria. Existing collaborations with the VHS WWH, the Signal of Solidarity e.V., and the Evangelical Parish Witten-Stockum show that the city is actively working on integration.

In addition, the committee sent two representatives to the ACI network meeting of the Regional Integration Center of the Ennepe-Ruhr District to exchange information on regional developments and experiences.

Mobility and Traffic: Ways into the Future

In April 2026, the Mobility and Traffic Committee passed several measures to sustainably improve infrastructure and mobility in Witten. A central decision was the introduction of a 30 km/h zone in Rüsbergstraße, to calm traffic and increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

In addition, the replacement of street lighting on Crengeldanzstraße was approved – with an investment volume of approximately 190,000 € gross, of which 80% will be funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Pedestrian Traffic Check 2025 was also decided to implement measures for improving pedestrian traffic step by step.

Another important topic was carsharing in Witten. The committee decided that the administration should initiate talks with a provider to examine the feasibility of an offering with about 20 vehicles. The current share of electric vehicles in the fleet is 13 percent, which is a welcome development in the context of increasing climate protection goals.

Finance and Audit: Security and Transparency

In April, the Audit Committee confirmed that financial accounting and taxes as well as payment processing at ESW were properly handled. Complaints were considered resolved through responses from the responsible departments, and improvements in the work methods of ESW were identified.

Another focal point was the IT strategy of the city. A three-tier security concept is being implemented, consisting of two-factor authentication, network segmentation, and a firewall. Central logging and a revised data backup concept are planned. In addition, a job description for an IT auditor was created, and the appointment of an IT security officer is planned.

Outlook and Connections

April 2026 in Witten shows that the city is acting strategically and future-oriented in several areas. The combination of sustainable urban development, social responsibility, and technical security is a central element of current policy. The decisions in the area of mobility and integration clarify that Witten is not only infrastructurally, but also socially, prepared for future challenges.

In the coming weeks, it will be particularly interesting to observe the implementation of the carsharing project and to see how work opportunities for AsylbLG benefit recipients are expanded. In addition, the review of the IT security concept is another step towards a modern, secure, and transparent administration.

Conclusion: Witten is moving with the times

April 2026 was a month of clear decisions and concrete steps toward a sustainable, inclusive, and technically secure urban development in Witten. The topics of urban planning, integration, mobility, and finances were in the spotlight, and the decisions show that the city is actively shaping the future. Citizens can look forward to safer streets, more appreciation for volunteering, and better traffic conditions – and this is only the beginning.