In addition to the elements of classic redevelopment, the program “Districts with Special Development Needs - the Socially Integrative City” is primarily about urban development measures to remedy social grievances. They are particularly present when an area is significantly disadvantaged due to the composition of the population and the economic situation. This requires an interdisciplinary way of working.The problems of the city districts with special development needs are tackled with an area-related, integrated urban development policy action plan designed for updating.
These include, in particular, the following groups of measures:
- the improvement of living conditions,
- the initiation of new economic activities (e.g. promotion of business start-ups),
- the creation and safeguarding of employment at local level,
- improving the social infrastructure, especially for young people,
- the gender mainstream approach,
- an improvement in the range of needs-based education and training opportunities,
- Measures for a safe city,
- environmental relief,
- local public transport (ÖPNV),
- a general improvement in the living environment,
- the improvement of the district culture as well
- various leisure activities.
As with classic redevelopment, only investment measures are funded from urban development funds. Nevertheless, there are expanded funding opportunities from other federal and European programs in areas of the “Socially Integrative City”, which are also used.
In order to implement the integrated action plan and to involve the local actors and the local economy in the redevelopment process, Mittelfeld a district management and a redevelopment commission set up on site. The equalization of the redevelopment commission with active council or district council politicians as well as citizens' representatives ensured a direct connection to the district. Through the open meetings of the renovation commission, every resident was able to contribute his or her opinion on the topic and influence the discussion process. The redevelopment commission ceased its activities in 2009, the district management Mittelfeld after a sustainability phase at the end of 2010.
The redevelopment areas of Hanover, which are being worked on according to the principles of the Socially Integrative City program, include after the funding for the district has expired Mittelfeld still Vahrenheide-Ost, Hainholz, Stöcken and Sahlkamp.
General information on the Socially Integrative City program is available from the “Socially Integrative City” Internet portal of the German Institute for Urban Studies.
www.socialestadt.de
Local capital for social causes - LOS
With the aim of promoting the development and opportunities of young people in socially disadvantaged areas, Mittelfeld From 2003 to 2007 through the federal program "LOS - Local Capital for Social Purposes" parallel to the Socially Integrative City program, various projects such as orientation measures for young people in pedagogical fields, professional qualification measures for young people, qualification of volunteers and creativity training for professional (re) integration for women implemented.