Contract signed for new industrial area in Altenburg!

Contract signed for new industrial area in Altenburg!

On July 3, 2025, an important contract for the development of the Altenburg/Windischleuba industrial area was signed. Among the contractual partners are Andreas Krey, managing director of LEG, and André Neumann, mayor of Altenburg. The city council had already passed a decisive decision in September last year to set the course for this project. The aim is to create growth and jobs in the Altenburg region and to provide an attractive area for investors. The industrial area will cover an area of ​​around 80 hectares, which is currently used for agriculture and is located on the northern outskirts of the city, directly on the B7 and B93. LEG plans to develop this area in close coordination with the city.

The economic needs in the region are great, even if the challenges cannot be ignored. Critics from neighboring communities are already raising concerns about noise and pollution, while at the same time it is reported that many businesses in the area are struggling to find suitable workers despite high unemployment. According to a report by MDR, more than four hectares of land are currently not available for industrial development, which underlines the city's ambitious plans to upgrade the site.

Challenges and concerns

The municipal and regional outlook is mixed. While the aim is to create new jobs and increase trade tax revenue, residents such as Andreas Leder, head of the Gerstenberg agricultural cooperative, point out that sealing agricultural land could increase the risk of flooding. Additionally, there are fears about potential environmental impacts and changes in quality of life due to possible industrial emissions. Talk of unused capacity in the region also raises questions as to whether expansion into new industrial areas is actually necessary or whether the existing infrastructure can also be better used.

In an analysis, the Federal Environment Agency points out that many cities face urban development challenges, especially when it comes to the use of land. The aim should be to promote constant internal development in order to make the city sustainable. A report on the “Ecological Impacts of Integrated Interior Development Concepts” makes it clear that there is often a lack of efficiency when urban space is not used in the best possible way. The interior development would help to find environmentally friendly solutions while activating the existing space in the best possible way.

Financing and outlook

The costs for developing the new industrial area are estimated at 50 million euros, with the urban share only making up two percent, i.e. around one million euros. The financing will primarily come from a special federal funding pot, the so-called coal millions, and will extend over two funding periods from 2024 to 2026 and from 2027 to 2032. The expectation is that these measures will provide an incentive for further entrepreneurial settlements and thus a positive development for the entire region.

The developments around the Altenburg/Windischleuba industrial area are therefore caught between economic opportunities and social and ecological challenges. While the city is making efforts to make the location more attractive, it remains to be seen how residents will react to the changes and what steps are still necessary in the development of urban areas.

For more information on this topic, please visit the Area Development Agreement articles on abg-net, about the protests against the industrial area MDR and the urban growth regions Federal Environment Agency.