A four-person team offers regular consultation hours on site where residents can ask their questions. There are also plans for public talks and events for property owners.

"The Socially Integrative City project is a great opportunity for everyone involved, which can only succeed if we work together," emphasized city councillor Michael Tacke. Together with the citizens, the citizens' association and the district management, new urban development accents can be set in and for Steterburg thanks to the urban development program.

The presence on site with the four-person team is an important step in starting a conversation. The local council meeting in December, at which numerous residents expressed their displeasure about the project, showed that there were many rumors circulating about the compensation contributions, which contributed to the uncertainty. This was to be changed with information, consultation hours and events for owners and residents. "We are supporting the social city project in a variety of ways and see ourselves as caretakers in the district," says Dr. Holger Pump-Uhlmann. Many citizens have already used the first consultation hours to ask questions, express their displeasure or offer support for Steterburg. "We are demonstrating the advantages of the social city by making it clear that this urban development funding will result in a wide range of improvements," emphasizes Dr. Pump-Uhlmann. Because the alternative is that Steterburg continues to develop negatively and the social problems increase.

This could not be in the interests of the citizens. The architect has implemented the Socially Integrative City project for various cities.

"Thanks to this urban development funding, we can also acquire further funding," emphasizes Susanne Goronzi, Head of the Urban Redevelopment and Socially Integrative City Department. This means that more measures are possible in Steterburg, which the politicians then have to decide on. The positive developments in the social city projects in the Seeviertel and Fredenberg are visible in a variety of ways.

Over the next few months, the neighborhood management would like to get to know the citizens of Steterburg and pool their suggestions, expectations and questions. Dialogue is to be intensified with increased public relations work in the form of consultation hours, public events and information material and a dedicated website.

From the summer, priorities will then be set and a roadmap drawn up for the next steps.

"The project is based on cooperation with the citizens. We want to create something for Steterburg together," emphasized Maxie Marie Simgen, the main contact person in the neighbourhood management office, which is currently still located on the premises of the citizens' association.

"I invite citizens to get involved and participate," emphasized Michael Tacke. The Socially Integrative City urban development project offers a unique opportunity to positively shape the district. This is associated with a sustainable improvement from which all 2,500 residents will benefit.

"The city of Salzgitter is doing this for the citizens and only with the citizens," says Michael Tacke, hoping for an open dialog in the district. Since the Social City project was launched in 2012, there have been various citizens' meetings and local council meetings that have sent a positive signal. The city council then passed a unanimous resolution in 2014.