April 2026: Saarlouis Stays on Track – From the Heat Plan to Digitalization

Districts and Infrastructure in Focus

What Was Important This Month

• Holiday Committee Appointed: A holiday committee will be responsible for municipal tasks from June 29 to August 7, 2026.
• Public Streets Expanded: The Mühlenlängststraße and Donnerpark will now be recorded as public community streets.
• Digital Announcements: The city will save about 60,000 euros annually by switching to digital announcements.
• Heat Plan Approved: The municipal heat plan was unanimously adopted, focusing on renewable energy and climate protection.
• Investments in Roden and Fraulautern: 5.3 million euros will be invested in urban development in these districts until 2030.

Digitalization and Communication: From Paper to the Web

Saarlouis has consistently advanced the digital transformation. With the new version of the ordinance on public announcements, future publications will be exclusively posted on the municipal website. This step not only saves costs – the city saves approximately 60,000 euros annually by no longer publishing in the Wochenspiegel Saarlouis – but also time and resources. In addition, a newsletter will be introduced to automatically inform citizens about new or changed announcements in the future.

The changes are based on the Ordinance on Public Announcements by Municipalities and Municipal Associations (BekVO) and are legally secured by § 41 Abs. 5 KSVG and §§ 12 and 222 Abs. 1 KSVG. The old ordinance from April 29, 2010, will be repealed with effect from July 1, 2026.

Climate Protection and Energy Transition: The Municipal Heat Plan

The Committee for Sustainability, Ecology and Transport has set a milestone: the municipal heat plan was unanimously adopted. In cooperation with the planning firm greenventory GmbH and the Saarlouis Utilities, the plan was developed in accordance with the requirements of the federal and Saarland heat planning laws.

In total, 12 measures and 3 focus areas have been defined, aiming to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the acquisition of renewable energy by 2045. The heat plan will be updated every five years, but remains voluntary – there is no obligation to connect or use it.

In addition, the interim results of the climate adaptation concept were presented, which will run until February 2027. The funding is provided by a grant of 197,606.82 euros (90% of the eligible total expenses). Furthermore, 350,000 euros were approved for mobility planning investments until 2028, including the installation of dynamic passenger information boards at stops.

Urban Development and Construction: From Renovations to Zoning Plans

In April, several zoning plans were also decided. The 6th amendment to the zoning plan "School and Sports Center In den Fliesen" was adopted, as well as the project-specific zoning plan for the project "Hanus Palais – Steinrauschhalle". Both were adopted in an accelerated procedure under § 13 a BauGB, allowing the city to save time and resources.

In the infrastructure sector, the renovation of the FGTS (Technical and Sports Support Association) has come into focus. The fire safety approval was completed on April 2, 2026, and the commissioning took place on April 15, 2026. The escape stair tower will be installed by the end of March, followed by the scaffolding removal and facade treatment. The renovation of the school gymnasium is planned for June 2027 and will be funded from the Transformation Fund at up to 90%.

In addition, it was decided that a total of 5.3 million euros will be invested in urban development in the districts of Roden and Fraulautern. The funding rate is 66.66%, and the measures will be implemented by the end of 2030.

Looking Beyond the Horizon: Digital Transformation and Climate Protection as Central Topics

April 2026 shows that Saarlouis is firmly rooted in the future. The digitalization of communication channels is a clear step toward a more efficient and transparent administration. At the same time, the city remains at the forefront on topics such as climate protection, energy efficiency, and mobility. The municipal heat plan is a milestone that shows that the city not only meets requirements but actively shapes the future.

The investments in districts and infrastructure also show that it's not just about large projects, but also about livable neighborhoods where people enjoy living, working, and spending time.

Conclusion and Outlook

April 2026 was a month of decisions and planning in Saarlouis. The city has clearly positioned itself in central areas such as digitalization, climate protection, and urban development, and has set future-oriented directions. Citizens can rely on transparent communication, sustainable investments, and a clear course in climate protection.

May will show how the adopted measures are implemented in practice. Particularly interesting will be the next meeting of the Main, Finance and Digitalization Committee on May 19, 2026, which will present further details on digitalization and the financing of climate-friendly projects.