Press releases

• At its meeting on Wednesday evening (October 9), the Aachen City Council adopted the Integrated Concept for Attractiveness and Safety (IKAS).
• The regulatory measures include an amendment to the street ordinance, which can ban begging in the immediate vicinity of restaurants, for example.
• Increased social work and an information campaign on targeted assistance as well as the upgrading of the inner city image round off the catalog of measures.

At its meeting on Wednesday evening (October 9), the Aachen City Council adopted the Integrated Concept for Attractiveness and Safety (IKAS) and commissioned the administration to develop and implement the proposed measures. This was preceded by corresponding recommendations from the Citizens' Forum, the Committee for Social Affairs, Integration and Demography, the Aachen-Mitte District Council and the Main Committee.

The concept covers four main areas: regulatory measures, socio-political measures, the design of public spaces and communication and awareness-raising. The aim is to overcome the growing challenges since the coronavirus pandemic - such as increased aggressive begging and open drug use in the city center. The areas under particular pressure include Kaiserplatz, the bus station, parts of the pedestrian zone, the Promenadenviertel, the train station and forecourt and Burtscheid city center.

Combating aggressive begging, drug-related crime and illegal prostitution

The concept's regulatory measures include an amendment to Aachen's street ordinance, which is based on the regulations in the canton of Basel-Stadt. According to a review by the Swiss Federal Court, its ban on begging is in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, which considers begging to be a fundamental right.

In view of the increasing problems with begging in the city of Aachen, the administration is proposing a regulation that is largely identical in content to the Basel regulation. The aim is to ban all forms of begging within a five-meter radius of certain facilities (including public transport stops, cash and parking ticket machines, stores, restaurants including outdoor catering, etc.) in the highly restricted and highly frequented inner city area and in parts of the equally highly frequented Burtscheid pedestrian zone. The Aachen street ordinance already prohibits begging with children, using animals, actively approaching or aggressive behaviour as well as organized and commercial begging.

The intended changes to Aachen's street regulations are proportionate and do not place an excessive burden on beggars. This means that beggars will have sufficient opportunities to beg in the city area and especially in the inner city.

The city of Aachen is planning to work even more closely with the police and StädteRegion Aachen in the future in order to take stronger action against drug-related crime and illegal prostitution. The vacancies in the city's public order and security service (OSD) are also to be filled as soon as possible.

Strengthening street social work and measures in public spaces

Proactive street social work is also planned. Two social workers are to act as contact persons and promote understanding, explain the existing help and advice services and visit them together with those affected, provide individual assistance, but also set clear limits within the framework of the legal requirements. A new coordination office in the Housing, Social Affairs and Integration department is intended to facilitate even more intensive networking with the existing help system.

The concept also envisages expanding the number of toilets in the city center in the medium term. In public spaces, selected locations are to be better lit so that people feel more comfortable again in underpasses and previously dark corners. The administration is also examining whether sound reinforcement with classical music could be a suitable method of improving the situation in these areas.

Enhancement of the city center image

More greenery and new play and recreation areas at Willy-Brandt-Platz and Holzgraben will further enhance the appearance of the city center. Mobile seating, which will move from Adalbertstraße to Kaiserplatz, will create a clearly demarcated area for homeless people and drug addicts. Free Wi-Fi is to be restricted at critical locations in the city center to prevent people from spending long periods of time there. All of this will be accompanied by an information campaign entitled "Help - but the right way!", which will highlight targeted donation opportunities. In the medium term, a "beggar's substitute currency" - an "Aachen Taler" - is also planned for everyday goods for the homeless. This is intended to be an alternative to cash donations.

Detailed information can be found in the City of Aachen's council information system at https://ratsinfo.aachen.de/public/to010?SILFDNR=1000042.