Measures against social division: Schwerin relies on integration!

Measures against social division: Schwerin relies on integration!

Dreesch, Schwerin, Deutschland - In Schwerin, the debate about a planned expansion of the refugee accommodation in Hamburg Allee is drawing ever larger circles. The Dreesch district, which is already severely affected by social division, sees this measure under additional pressure. The district has to deal with poverty and educational deficits and is home to a high number of immigrants. This leads to a huge area of tension that not only concerns the residents, but also politics. The Nordkurier reports that the city council decided with a clear majority of 24 votes in votes and one abstention to make a package to counteract social segregation. In the justification, reference is made to the challenges in Mueßer wood that could still be tightened by the expansion.

The original plans provide to double the number of refugees in the accommodation. It is expressly pointed out that the SPD faction warns of this expansion and demands a concept that should reduce the unequal distribution of poverty and origin. Mandy Pfeifer from the SPD explains that integration measures are urgently necessary to improve the social situation in the Dreesch. She finds support from Daniel Trepsdorf (Die Linke) and Stephan Martini (ASK). Critics of the measure, such as the AfD, described the application as "absurd" and warn of the possible consequences of the concentration of vulnerable groups in a district.
Heiko Steinmüller, non -part, emphasizes the need to create decent living conditions for everyone, which is a challenge in view of the current social situation.

an extensive plan against social division

Schwerin has even more in store. A comprehensive master plan to combat social split is discussed in the specialist committees. The goal is clear: the spatial separation of social and ethnic groups is to be lifted. This separation is a painful reality that has tightened since the turn, as the Schwerin.news reports. The city has lost around 20 % of its population since 1990, which has not only led to empty apartments, but also to the collection of socially disadvantaged groups. For example, the Mueßer wood district is the social focus, where the unemployment rate is 12 % above the national average of 6.8 % and more than 40 % of households rely on transfer services.

A key point of the new concept is to create a science -based plan to reduce the segregation index, which is currently 0.42. The city also wants to invest in schools and social projects. "We have to make sure that all children, regardless of the background, have the same educational opportunities," says Heiko Steinmüller. The application also includes the use of all available funding and better personnel equipment for schools. In the long term, a successful Schwerin master plan could not only help on site, but also act as a model for other East German cities.

integration as a task for society as a whole

The challenges of integration are not a new topic in Germany. Until the late 1990s, the country was not considered an immigration country, but reality looks different today. Around 26.7 % of the population now have a migration background, with significant differences between East and West Germany. Integration is increasingly regarded as a task for society as a whole, such as the Federal Center for Political Education

In recent years, debates about racism and discrimination have become more present in society. The concerns about the integration and participation of migrants are urgent: in particular against the background of the tightening in asylum law and the need to overcome language barriers. An active and coordinated approach is required here to enable equal opportunities and equal treatment. The planned measures in Schwerin are a first step in the right direction, even if the challenges are huge.

The next few months will be crucial when it comes to driving the implementation of the measures and the development of the master plan. Mayor Rico Badenschier has signaled his support, but needs time to present a worked out concept that is to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. The first reports on progress are planned for October.