Eastern city center
Working Together to Further Develop the Eastern Downtown Area
With the “Strategic Plan for the Transformation of the Eastern Downtown Area,” the Aachen City Council had already approved key projects and development priorities for the future design of the eastern downtown area on July 9, 2025. The three key municipal projects in this part of the downtown area include:
- Büchel old town quarter
- "House of Curiosity" & Surroundings
- Bus Station & Surrounding Area
© Stadtbox
Development Strategy
The city of Aachen is actively working to further develop the eastern downtown area. Vacant
properties, changing shopping habits, and new demands regarding climate, energy, and mobility present major challenges for the neighborhood. In addition to the three key municipal projects, the strategic plan outlines other important urban development elements that are of great significance for the development of the eastern downtown area:
- Former Wehmeyer site on Adalbertstraße
- Adalbertstraße/Stiftstraße Building Block
- "Passage Block" between the Bus Station and Willy-Brandt-Platz
The diverse challenges facing the eastern downtown area require coordinated collaboration among various stakeholders—both within the administration and with property owners, business owners, and other interested parties. It is not only the major flagship projects that are crucial: Every single property and every investment can also help make the eastern downtown area more attractive in the long term. The combination of many high-quality, sustainable properties and uses forms the foundation for a vibrant downtown neighborhood.
As property owners and business owners, how can you actively participate in the process?
Together with you, we would like to revitalize the eastern part of downtown and develop new opportunities
for your property. To this end, the City of Aachen has laid
important groundwork in recent years to facilitate new investments and uses.
You can find out how you, as a property owner, can receive targeted support in the “Further Information” section and FAQs.
Integrated urban development concept (ISEK)
The Aachen City Council has tasked the city administration with developing an Integrated Urban Development Concept (ISEK) for the eastern part of the city center. The so-called “Start-ISEK” forms the basis for the future development of the neighborhood and for applying for urban development grants.
The Integrated Approach focuses on the following key measures:
- the enhancement of public spaces (landscape design for the “Haus der Neugier” and redesign of the “Bahkauv-Brunnen” street space on Büchel, known as “core measures”)
- Advisory services for property owners and public relations
- Support for new uses, renovations, and funding issues
A centralized stakeholder management system is intended to bring together advisory services, public relations, and funding instruments.
The ISEK outlines the development strategy for the eastern part of the city center and makes it possible to coordinate and implement measures in a targeted manner.
The spatial layout of the “Altstadtquartier Büchel” redevelopment area will remain unchanged regardless. As work on the ISEK progresses, the area and the measures can be adjusted.
© Stadtbox and the City of Aachen
Additional Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As a property owner in the eastern downtown area, how can I get advice?
Customized Construction Consulting
: Through our BauService, the City of Aachen’s planning and legal advisory service, and theInfopoint Bauaufsicht—your central point of contact for the City’s Building Inspection Department—you can receive assistance, submit applications, and obtain information on a variety of topics, including:- Are you planning to renovate, repurpose, or sell your property?
- Do you have a restaurant that you can't rent out?
- Are you looking for a venue to rent?
- Do you have questions about conversion options and procedures?
Funding & Financing
: Would you like to learn more about urban development grants, state programs, or tax incentives? We can help you find the right funding options for your project:- Urban Development Funding from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Including FAQs
- Courtyard and Façade Program
- ↗Tax Benefits Through Modernization Agreements
We invite you to contact us early on so that we can provide you with the best possible advice on the development potential of your property.Is it worth converting my building for a different use?
A change of use can open up new possibilities—especially for vacant, underutilized, or no longer marketable properties.
The City of Aachen supports you by:- personalized advice
- Assessment of Development Potential
- Information on Funding Opportunities
If you have any questions regarding the energy-efficient and sustainable renovation of your properties, the nonprofit organization altbauplus e.V. is here to help.Is there any assistance available for vacant properties or ground-floor uses?
There are various approaches to dealing with vacant retail spaces or commercial properties:
- Consulting on Alternative Uses
- Facilitating Connections and Networking
- Support Through Funding Programs
The goal is to develop long-term, sustainable, and future-proof uses for your property. For
more information on renting out your commercial space or retail unit, or on finding a suitable location, please visit the City of Aachen’s City Management website.What role does an urban renewal area play in relation to my property?
The urban renewal area provides a framework for:
- targeted support
- Counseling Services
- voluntary partnerships with the city
An urban renewal area is designed to actively shape the development of the eastern part of downtown in collaboration with you.
Urban Development Funding and Legal Background
Integrated Urban Development Plan (ISEK) for the Eastern Downtown Area (starting in 2026):
The ISEK coordinates the development of the eastern part of the city center and the Büchel historic district.
An ISEK:
- sets long-term goals
- provides planning certainty
- is the basis for funding
The former study areas “Eastern Downtown” and “Büchel Old Town District” were combined by a City Council resolution on July 15, 2026, into a single Integrated Urban Development Concept (ISEK) titled: “Büchel Old Town District and the Surrounding Area of the House of Curiosity” (see decision document FB 61/0050/WP19).
The ISEK builds on the results of the preliminary studies (VU) for both areas. It consolidates the key findings and, based on them, establishes long-term development goals for the entire area. In doing so, it creates a reliable foundation for future planning and provides both the city and you, as private property owners, with guidance and planning certainty.
At the same time, the ISEK is a prerequisite for applying for federal and state urban development grants. Based on this, specific measures are to be implemented starting in the fall of 2027.
"Eastern Downtown" Urban Redevelopment Area pursuant to Section 171b of the Building Code (starting in 2026):
An urban renewal area provides a legal and organizational framework for providing targeted support for urban development. Within an urban renewal area, the city can, among other things:
- Apply for Funding for Specific Initiatives
- reach individual agreements with property owners
- Provide counseling and support services
- use additional urban planning tools as needed
We would like to work with you to develop customized development opportunities for your property and support you in implementing appropriate measures.Based on the City Council resolution of July 9, 2025, and the recommendations of the preliminary studies, the Aachen City Council decided on July 15, 2026, to designate the “Eastern Downtown” urban redevelopment area (see decision document FB 60/0012/WP19).
This area encompasses the area already examined in the preliminary studies and, together with an Integrated Urban Development Concept (ISEK), forms the basis for the further development and promotion of the area.
Scope of the "Eastern Downtown" Urban Redevelopment Area pursuant to Section 171b of the German Building Code (BauGB)
Preliminary Study Pursuant to Section 141 of the Building Code (2021–2025):
Pursuant to a resolution dated November 4, 2021, so-called preparatory studies (VU) were conducted for the eastern part of the city center. Their purpose was to identify where action is needed and which tools are appropriate to support the development of the neighborhood. The studies were developed with external expert guidance and were completed in July 2025. The final report was published on August 30, 2025.
During the investigations, you—the property owners, business owners, and the public—were involved in various ways.
One of the objectives of the study was:
- Identification of Areas Requiring Action
- Developing Perspectives
- Review of Appropriate Instruments
The “development goals” derived from the urban planning study for the eastern downtown area and adopted by the City Council will continue to apply to the area after the study is completed.The final report recommends addressing the identified shortcomings through an “urban renewal area” while, at the same time, prioritizing cooperative implementation and the involvement of private stakeholders.
Supporting Analyses: Building Block Study (2024–2025):
In addition, the city has commissioned the Frankfurt-based planning firm raumwerk to conduct in-depth analyses of selected city blocks in the eastern downtown area between 2024 and 2025. The goal was to work with interested property owners to explore development options for private buildings—such as modernization, maintenance, repurposing, or energy-efficient retrofitting.
The results of the building block study, presented to the Planning Committee in May 2025, serve as the technical basis for the climate-conscious, diverse, and participatory redevelopment of private urban blocks in the eastern part of the city center.
What happens next?
With the approval of urban development funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia—expected to begin in mid-2027 – the measures planned in the ISEK for the eastern downtown area and the (southern) Büchel Old Town district can be implemented step by step as part of a “Start-ISEK.” In addition to enhancing the public spaces around the “Haus der Neugier” and the “Bahkauv Fountain,” the plan specifically includes services to provide advice and support to you as property owners and business operators.
The development of the eastern downtown area does not end with the “Start-ISEK.” Looking ahead, other areas—in particular the northern part of the Büchel Old Town district, the bus station district, and other central public spaces—are also to be included in a “Follow-up ISEK.” The “Eastern Downtown” urban redevelopment area and the “Büchel Old Town District” revitalization area form the basis for securing additional urban development funding at a later date.