Old Richterich town center

On December 1, 2022, a citizens' information event was held in the Peter Schwarzenberg Hall in Richterich from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at which the city administration informed citizens about the planning steps to date, the results of the feasibility study and the status of the development plan procedure. Following the presentation, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and enter into a dialog with those involved in the project.

The early public participation took place from 27.09.2021 to 29.10.2021 in the Richterich district office with an exhibition of the planning documents and the planning objectives presented therein and the previous outline planning. In addition, a hearing event was held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

After extensive stakeholder discussions with local associations, educational institutions and initiatives and an analysis of the planning area, the administration drew up guiding principles for future development.

In May 2020, the Aachen-Richterich district council then decided to pursue two guiding principles that propose the development of the village center as a sociable place to stay and meet. Among other things, this is to be achieved by expanding the Peter-Schwarzenberg-Halle to include multifunctional spaces and paying special attention to educational needs.

In summary, the issues of "community", "sport", "education" and "open space" are at the forefront of future development.

Based on the adopted guiding principles, the administration developed a framework concept that proposes objectives and approaches for future development.
This includes proposals for the uses and structural development on site, ideas for strengthening education, neighbourhood and culture as well as development approaches for open space, the environment and mobility.
The aim is also to leverage the potential on site and to network the associations, initiatives and citizens active at the location and involve them in further development.

Space requirements
The location is currently used by many different stakeholders with different space requirements. The Peter-Schwarzenberg-Halle, which is in need of renovation, is used by local schools and clubs as a sports hall and event venue, but does not meet the contemporary spatial requirements of a multi-purpose hall.
Additional multi-purpose and practice rooms of various sizes are also required for regular club meetings.

Development scenarios
In order to take better account of local space requirements, the administration has developed various development scenarios that make different proposals for future construction, use and open space development.

Following the presentation of these proposals to the district council in April 2021, the planning committee commissioned the administration in May 2021 to examine three of the scenarios for follow-up and to carry out public participation in the planning process.

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In the first half of 2022, the City of Aachen's building management department carried out a feasibility study on the possible development scenarios in close coordination with the other specialist departments of the administration and in consultation with the district. A total of five scenarios were examined (S1, S1+, S2, S2+ and M) and tested for their feasibility.

Taking into account the results of the citizens' dialogue on 02.10.2021, the design proposals for buildings and open spaces were specified and planned uses, open space and mobility requirements were taken into account.

After the feasibility study was carried out, the results were discussed in the political bodies and presented for a resolution. The resolution provides for the S2+ scenario for the development of the Alt-Richterich town center to be pursued further and used as the basis for the draft of the "Grünenthaler Straße / Gierstraße" development plan. In addition, the administration was commissioned to present the results to citizens at a public event and to prepare the next planning steps.

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The planning process for the Alt-Richterich town center involves many different planning concerns and planning steps with different time horizons.

The basis for further planning is the successful implementation of the ongoing development plan procedure by May 2024 at the latest to determine the framework conditions for a possible structural development. A draft of the development plan is currently being prepared and is expected to be put on public display in summer 2023.

In addition, a qualification procedure is to be prepared with the aim of finding the best possible solution for the planning task at hand. In advance, the spatial and open space program is to be further specified with the involvement of future users.

In addition to these planning requirements, the financial perspective for the further development of the town center must be clarified before concrete steps can be taken to plan and implement the building construction and open spaces, which are expected to take another four to five years. Based on current knowledge, the completion of a structural development for the Alt-Richterich town center can therefore be expected in 8 years at the earliest.

The intensive exchange with the local associations, institutions and stakeholders involved is to be continued in the further course of the planning process. In each planning phase, citizens will have the opportunity to find out about the progress of the project and enter into dialog.