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Bottrop Shifts Climate Goal to 2045, Emphasizes Collaborative Approach

The city of Bottrop in the Ruhr region has revised its target date for becoming a climate-neutral city from 2035 to 2045. The decision was made to lighten the burden on homeowners, who would find achieving climate neutrality in a short timeframe overly burdensome.

The revised Masterplan Climate City outlines a climate-neutral administration and a communication strategy, with the former being crucial as the city aims to lead by example and gradually achieve its goal together.

Henrik Reiter, the mayor of Bottrop, has encouraged citizens to intensively engage with the topic of climate protection and start acting now, rather than waiting for specific planning. He emphasized the drop in photovoltaic prices and the VAT exemption for private use as positive aspects.

The new Masterplan Climate City covers the entire city area and aims for climate neutrality, not just a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions. The plan consists of three parts, with the first describing measures that every city must take, along with flagship projects specifically tailored to the city of Bottrop.

Key projects under the new Masterplan include energy-efficient renovation of residential buildings, the expansion of solar energy and other renewable energies, smart city technologies for intelligent energy consumption and generation, the promotion of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, the development of public transport, and carsharing initiatives.

In addition, the city administration aims to switch its vehicle fleet to electric mobility and implement an electric vehicle car-sharing model. The town hall in Bottrop has already achieved a 40% reduction in energy consumption, leading to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. The town hall is connected to the district heating network, and as it progresses towards climate neutrality, the town hall will also achieve a climate-neutral operation.

The city council initiated the Masterplan Climate City and provided funds for it. Unlike the previous plan, they decided to first develop a master plan for the entire city and then gradually move into the neighborhoods. The quarter projects in Fuhlenbrock and Vonderort, and now also in Kirchhellen, are areas that were not previously part of the InnovationCity quarter. They will continue to be funded, with funding sources shifting from federal to state funds in the case of Kirchhellen.

Klaus Müller, a city councillor, has emphasized the challenges cities in Germany will face in making the country climate-neutral by 2045 if the framework conditions remain the same. He suggests that climate protection should become a mandatory task across the board, with adequate funding provided by the federal government or the state.

The city administration acknowledges the need for a realistic plan to achieve climate neutrality together. They believe that the shift towards electric vehicles will not be complete by 2025 or even 2030, and this is something they can't directly influence. However, they are focusing on materials they use, such as almost 100% recycled paper, and climate education in encouraging city residents to adopt more sustainable modes of transportation.

The rehabilitation management in Fuhlenbrock, Vonderort, and Kirchhellen clearly outlines what's possible with the property. They want to stimulate thinking through their communication measures. It's not just about the properties, but many small building blocks that lead to improvement. There will be a fixed date for the rehabilitation management at the district administration office once a month in Kirchhellen. But there's also consultation upon request. The rehabilitation management also advises by phone and goes to the people.

In conclusion, the Masterplan Climate City Bottrop follows a holistic approach, connecting climate protection, economic transformation, and urban living. Through the implementation of numerous innovative projects and the close involvement of citizens, Bottrop has become a model for sustainable urban development in the Ruhr region, with the aim of serving as an example for other cities.

An important message: The project demonstrates that climate protection and economic growth can go hand in hand, and that an industrially-focused city can successfully undergo a structural transformation towards sustainability.