The school renovation measures from the 75 million euro program initiated by Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel in 2007, which will be completed by 2017, are a key component of this figure at around 30 million euros.

"This result not only underlines the efficiency of the building management company, the commissioned architects and contractors," says Klingebiel, summarizing the situation, "above all, it means that financing the construction measures with our own funds makes the implementation of the projects with public-private partnerships (PPP) superfluous from an economic point of view."

The new publication "Building for the Learning City" shows how the funds were used. Over 62 pages in DIN A4 format and with a print run of 2,000 copies, it provides comprehensive information on the investments for the declared goal of making Salzgitter a child and family-friendly learning city.

Based on 13 schools, ten day-care centres and two children's and youth centres, the text and rich illustrations show how and where renovations, modernizations and new construction measures have been carried out to date.

Once again, Klingebiel emphasizes that this interim success could only be achieved through close and trusting cooperation with the city council. With the support of politicians, the population, businesses, clubs, associations and organizations, a great deal has already been achieved, from free attendance at daycare centres to early language support.

Up-to-date and age-appropriate equipment in schools creates an excellent learning environment for "our children". Education is the foundation for the rest of their lives. It opens the door to acquiring the best qualifications. The investments in the learning city, as the publication shows, make the path of child and family friendliness visible and tangible. Klingebiel concluded: "Our children should also be able to learn in an optimal environment in the future."

According to a current overview, 44.8 million euros were spent on renovations and ongoing maintenance between 2006 and 2011 for all 430 individual buildings managed by the municipal buildings management company. In addition, 33.9 million euros were spent on investments plus a further 8.9 million euros from the German government's second economic stimulus package. All in all, 87.6 million euros, including 61.6 million euros for schools.