Dispute over harbor promenade escalates: Mayor demands clarification!

Dispute over harbor promenade escalates: Mayor demands clarification!

Something is brewing in Schwerin: A heated dispute over the “Hafenpromenade/Kranweg 1-5” construction project is causing a stir between the city council and Mayor Dr. Rico Badenschier. The cause of the conflict lies in a resolution by the city council of September 29, 2025, which raises several questions about local construction. The city council decided not to approve any further exemptions from the “Port/Storage” development plan, with the exception of the exceptions that had already been granted. This meets with resistance from Badenschier because he sees it as a violation of applicable law.

The exciting twist in the story is quickly summarized: On July 22, 2025, Badenschier lodged an objection to the decision, but it was rejected at the meeting on September 29. In a recent statement on October 9th, Badenschier made it clear that the responsibility for deciding on preliminary building requests lies in the hands of the building supervisory authority. “The city council has no decision-making authority in this matter,” he emphasizes. This opinion is based on Section 33 Paragraph 2 of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Municipal Constitution, since the examination of exemptions from the development plan is considered a case-by-case decision and may not be regulated across the board by the city parliament. Badenschier has also forwarded the proceedings to the legal supervisory authority.

The legal basis

How does construction planning actually work? Building planning law, which ensures orderly urban development, is the relevant aspect here. It regulates the planning requirements for the development and use of land and ensures that the communities can independently control their urban development within the framework of the legal requirements government-mv.de can be read.

The process begins with the preparation of a land use plan that determines the basic principles of land use. Building on this, development plans must be developed that establish detailed and generally binding regulations for the structural and other use of land. These regulations are also important for the issuance of building permits by the responsible building supervisory authorities.

The view of the construction portal

For those interested in further information on construction projects, plans and statutes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, we recommend taking a look at the construction and planning portal at bauportal-mv.de. There, users can access a variety of documents, including development plans, land use plans and statutes. However, it should be noted that the portal makes no claim to be complete or up-to-date. If you have any questions about specific development plans, it is advisable to contact the responsible city, municipal or local administration.

Overall, the dispute over the construction project on the harbor promenade shows not only the importance of clear legal regulations, but also the often complicated negotiations that lie behind urban developments. The situation remains tense and the coming weeks are likely to be exciting.