With the draft resolution 0182/18 "Inner city rescue package - implementation of a first project as part of the ad hoc EU funding program "Perspektive Innenstadt!", the Salzgitter City Council decided on 02.02.2022 to implement the "Small climate-friendly forums" project.

This decision is accompanied by the following changes:

• First, the small paving around the Stadtmonument is to be renovated on the Stadtmonument square and the base of the Stadtmonument is to be cleaned.
• Medium-sized, weather- and climate-resistant trees are to be planted on the square.
• The individual planting areas around the trees are to be connected and planted with perennials so that rainwater is better absorbed and native insects can find food there.
• Solar benches, wooden benches and a drinking fountain are to be installed on site for visitors

The planting of medium-sized trees with high planting quality will have a positive effect on the microclimate, as well as on the design and amenity value of Monumentplatz. In addition, the use of resilient tree species ensures sustainable planting that meets the future requirements of an urban tree, and improved rainwater absorption can be guaranteed by connecting the planting areas. The maintenance of the green areas and the water technology will be carried out by the municipal management company of the city of Salzgitter. The costs amount to approx. 217,000 euros.

The "Small climate-friendly forums" project is also to be implemented in the city center of Salzgitter-Bad. The sub-project covers the area of Schützenplatz and Vorsalzer Straße.

The following changes will be made in Salzgitter-Bad:

• Planting of weather- and climate-resistant trees and perennials,
• Installation of bicycle racks and solar benches along Vorsalzer Straße,
• Creation of a traffic circle planted with plane trees on Schützenplatz, which provides plenty of shade for visitors,
• Installation of seating consisting of wooden round benches with backrests,
• Installation of fog jets in the flower beds and in the middle of the traffic circle as a special water feature.

The measures pursue three objectives:

• Climate protection through the unsealing and planting of resilient tree species,
• improving the urban climate
• and improving the quality of stay.

The planting of rooftop plane trees will also have a positive effect on the microclimate, as well as on the design and quality of the Schützenplatz. The planned costs for this sub-project amount to around 475,000 euros.

In conjunction with the "Small climate-friendly forum" project, a total of 25 solar benches, which use integrated solar modules as an energy source and store energy in integrated batteries, are being promoted in both centers of Salzgitter-Lebenstedt and Salzgitter-Bad. The benches not only serve as a place to sit, but can also be used to charge mobile devices. You can also surf the internet, as the solar benches serve as a WLAN hotspot for the open and free WLAN. No data is stored when surfing via the WiFi, so there are no data protection concerns and the bench is GDPR-compliant. The locations selected are the area around the "In den Blumentriften" Stadtmonument in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt and the "Schützenplatz/Vorsalzer Straße" area in Salzgitter-Bad. Further locations are currently being planned.

It is particularly important that a signal is set for digitalization and the use of renewable energies.

In this way, the project aims to make the city centers more attractive for all generations and create a sustainable and innovative design. In combination with the planting of climate-resilient trees, unsealing by expanding the planting areas, the use of fogging technology to improve the microclimate and innovative street furniture, the aim is to create meeting places for young and old that invite people to linger. The cost of the solar benches is around 130,000 euros.

With the draft resolution 0561/18 "Construction of a toilet facility in the center of Salzgitter-Lebenstedt - implementation of another project as part of the ad hoc EU funding program "Perspektive Innenstadt!" on 02.02.2022, the City Council of Salzgitter decided to implement the project "Construction of a barrier-free two-room unisex toilet facility".

The planned toilet facility consists of a barrier-free disabled toilet and a barrier-free unisex toilet in order to ensure simultaneous, demand-oriented use of the toilet facility, both for the general public and for people with special requirements. In addition to various working groups, the City of Salzgitter's Disability Officer, the Advisory Council for People with Disabilities, the Equal Opportunities Officer and the local council were also involved. Furthermore, the facility is to be operated as a free unisex toilet with a changing table and automatic seat cleaning around the clock.

The "Chemnitzer Straße" location near the Gewerkschaftshaus was chosen for the construction of the toilet facility, as it was particularly important for the facility to be centrally located in the city center. Urban planning aspects, delivery routes and fire department turning areas had to be taken into account. After an immediate review, this location was chosen. The design of the toilet facility is to be based on the façade of the nearby Dormero Hotel to create a uniform appearance. The planned costs amount to around 200,000 euros, of which the city of Salzgitter will have to contribute around 20,000 euros.

In order to increase the attractiveness of Salzgitter-Bad's city center during the Christmas season and to create a festive Christmas atmosphere in the old town, the ecologically inefficient Christmas lighting is to be replaced with modern LED technology. The plan is to completely replace the lighting in Salzgitter-Bad, which is several decades old. In addition, the electricity consumption of the existing system is very high compared to modern LED technology, which is why the replacement is also very welcome from an environmental point of view. The planned costs amount to around 200,000 euros. The application for the project has already been submitted.

The purchase of new, ecologically efficient Christmas lighting with LED technology is also planned for Chemnitzer Straße, which is located in the city center of Salzgitter-Lebenstedt. This should provide visitors to this street as well as the stores and restaurants with a festive experience during the Christmas period. The planned costs amount to approx. 100,000 euros. The application for this project has already been submitted.

The "Online Marketplace" project is concerned with supporting inner-city businesses in their efforts to digitize. As a supplement to the digital voucher system, the "bonuSZcard", introduced by Wirtschafts- und Innovationsförderung Salzgitter GmbH up to the start of the project, a local online marketplace is to be created, which will be both browser- and app-based. This will give entrepreneurs the opportunity to present themselves and their offers or provide information about special promotions. The platform will then be expanded into a local online store. The planned costs for this project amount to around 160,000 euros. The application for this project has already been submitted.

To improve the quality of life in the city centers of Salzgitter-Bad and Salzgitter-Lebenstedt, play trails are to be set up here. These trails are to comprise up to five stations each and run like a "path" through the city center. The selection of the locations of the individual play stations and the exact choice of play equipment are still being planned and will be coordinated with the committees and the other planned projects. When making the selection, attention will be paid to a hard-wearing design and accessibility.

The games should be suitable for kindergarten children, schoolchildren, young people, adults and senior citizens to make city life more active. Fun is therefore guaranteed for young and old alike.

Digital information steles are to be set up in the city centers of Salzgitter-Bad and Salzgitter-Lebenstedt. These will enable the city administration, the city's subsidiaries and Salzgitter's advertising associations to draw attention to events or other activities directly in the city center, for example. Tourist information and city information sites are also to be displayed on the information boards. The main costs of the overall project are the purchase and installation of the steles and all associated software and hardware and amount to approx. 78,000 euros each for Salzgitter-Bad and Salzgitter-Lebenstedt. Suitable locations in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt and Salzgitter-Bad will be identified as part of the implementation planning. Possible locations would be "In den Blumentriften" and "Fischzug" in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt as well as on "Liebenhaller Straße" and in the "Schützenplatz" area in Salzgitter-Bad. The cost of this project is 78,000 euros per city center. The application for this project has already been submitted.