Aachen-Nord extends over the Rehmviertel, Wiesental, Ungarnviertel, the area between the "Alter Schlachthof" and Nordbahnhof, Feld- and Liebigstraße as well as the Gewerbering and is characterized by the industrial charm of days gone by and the cultural diversity of the present.
With the Rehmviertel, the area has a high residential density in buildings from the 1920s / 1930s, buildings from the Gründerzeit around 1860 and, together with Rehmplatz, Wenzelplatz and Oberplatz, forms the westernmost part of the district. In the area around Jülicherstraße, there are old industrial buildings, a high density of businesses, various cultural institutions and individual residential buildings, most of which date from the post-war period. Following the departure of the large industrial companies, more creative and innovative businesses have settled in this area in recent years. Jülicherstraße itself is one of the central gateways to the city center with high traffic density and has Aachen's largest fountain with the freeway entrance and exit at Europaplatz. The Feldstrasse and Liebigstrasse area is a very heterogeneous area characterized by many small businesses/institutions and residential buildings from various housing associations. The central focal point is "Martinsplatz" on the corner of Feldstrasse and Liebigstrasse, which was transformed into a versatile neighborhood meeting point in 2018 thanks to its urban redevelopment.
A total of over 16,000 people live in Aachen-Nord. Pre-school children and young adults are disproportionately represented, while the number of residents of retirement age is well below the average for the city as a whole. A high proportion of people with a migration background and the associated cultural diversity are reflected in the small international businesses and gastronomic diversity.
Innovative cultural offerings can be found throughout the district: from the "Ludwig Forum" to the municipal music school, the "DASDA" theater and newly developed historical buildings such as the "Alter Schlachthof" (e.g. "DAS LIEBIG").The "DAS LIEBIG" or "Halle 60"), the former "Stadtbad Aachen", the bunker in Scheibenstraße operated by "The Base e.V." or the "digitalCHURCH" in the former church of St. Elisabeth. With the former streetcar DEPOT in Talstrasse, the district has a district center that is home to various social and cultural institutions - including the district office. The aim over the next few years will be to open up DEPOT more to the people in the district and to initiate low-threshold offers for and with residents.
The particular challenges in the district were addressed from 2009 with the inclusion in the "Socially Integrative City" funding program, within which positive developments have already been initiated. For example, the redesign of various public squares has created attractive meeting and social spaces. In total, over 20 construction projects have been implemented in the last ten years. In addition, more than 140 participatory projects have been implemented for Aachen-Nord by residents and institutions from the district via the disposition fund.
Although the "Socially Integrative City" funding project expired at the end of 2021, the aim remains to initiate, support and implement projects for good local coexistence that make this colourful, lovable district even more liveable for all residents.
The district conference
In the Aachen-Nord district conference, committed stakeholders who are active in the district meet regularly, exchange ideas and discuss developments and needs. This important body not only serves to shed light on the district from different perspectives, but also acts as a mouthpiece for residents and stakeholders in dialog with politicians and the administration. In addition, the district fund applications are presented to this committee and approved for voting. Anyone who is interested in actively participating is very welcome. Further information can be found here: www.facebook.com/aachennord
The district office
The Aachen-Nord district office has been continued under municipal responsibility since January 2022 following the end of the "Socially Integrative City" funding program (2009-2021). Since then, the district management has been part of the Department 56 - Housing, Social Affairs and Integration of the City of Aachen.
The district management continues to act as an interface and link between residents, stakeholders and administration, the district office is still located in the depot and thus remains a sustainable contact point for concerns in the district. This is where information events, workshops and district festivals are organized, communication channels are brought together, needs are identified and citizen participation in district development projects is ensured. At the same time, the district office acts in an advisory capacity for the district fund and is involved in various working groups. This allows new ideas to be developed and implemented together.
The two district managers Silke Gärtner and Doris Vallée are available to all residents in the district.
The district fund
Projects for the district can also be supported in the future through a municipal fund that was set up specifically for the district. The district office manages and supervises the district fund and advises interested parties on applications and financial planning. The Aachen-Nord district conference is involved as the first instance in the eligibility of district fund applications.