Dispute over playground sales in Lankow: Citizens want to have a say!

Dispute over playground sales in Lankow: Citizens want to have a say!

Lankow, Deutschland - In Lankow, the sale of the playground on Kieler Strasse is very popular. The decision to sell the popular playground was made by the city council with the exclusion of the public, which causes a lot of vertebrae in local politics. Over half of the city representatives voted for the sale to Quart GmbH & Co. KG, which can now submit building applications. The planned use includes space for retail and health services. Many citizens see what the city administration sees as a sensible measure for urban development: but critically.

The playground sale has been a controversial topic in urban politics for some time. In November 2020, the main committee approved the sale, but set the condition to build a new playground on Julius-Polentz-Straße. This statement has not yet been implemented because the location has now been planned for other purposes, namely for a school. These circumstances made the SPD listen and a stop of the sale, since it contradicts the integrated urban development concept. The CDU, on the other hand, urges the decision to be confirmed in order not to endanger economic development.

allegations and new compromises

The dispute continues to escalate while protests stop at the sale. A new compromise proposal provides to set up three smaller playing areas at different locations. The buyer takes over the complete production of the replacement areas, which, according to critics, should be small and qualitatively questionable on the inside. The campaign Stadt- und Kulturschutz (ASK) not only sees a violation of participation rights, but also a disregard for the needs of young users: inside.

Stephan Martini, a group -free city representative, has already submitted a complaint with the municipal legal supervision. Surprisingly, the confirmation of the Ministry of the Interior, Construction and Digitization M-V came that an active participation of children and adolescents is actually missing, which, however, does not automatically illegally illegally illegally. The city administration therefore sees itself legally on the safe side, since the property was never formally dedicated as a playground.

participation for the future

The importance of citizen participation is often high in modern urban planning. An early involvement of the later users: Inside the course of planning, incorrect planning can avoid and ultimately promotes the satisfaction of everyone involved. Various methods such as information events, workshops and on -site dates can be seen that active participation by the population is essential. Successful examples from cities such as Freiburg and Hamburg illustrate how citizen engagement can make positive changes, as the article of architectural selection shows.

The city administration will examine the legal requirements for a possible citizens' request in the coming weeks, in which Stephan Martini already brings plans for the introduction of 4,000 signatures for the protection of the playground. The city council could then either agree directly to the request or carry out a citizens' decision. It remains to be seen which solutions are found so that the voices of the citizens: inside the urban planning can actually be heard and the new playgrounds can be designed in the interests of everyone. What is certain is that there will still be a lot of movement in the matter - this beats high waves in the Lankow parish authority!