Call for massive funding in infrastructure-deficient areas championed by The Greens
In a bid to enhance living conditions and social cohesion in structurally weak regions across Germany, the Greens have proposed a new joint funding structure between the federal and state governments. This initiative aims to provide around 1.1 billion euros annually for regions with the greatest structural challenges.
The Greens' plan includes funding mobility stations equipped with car-sharing offers, rental bicycles, and charging stations to the tune of 100 million euros annually. This investment is expected to support sustainable transportation and promote a greener lifestyle.
The focus of the Greens' proposal is addressing the lack of public services in these regions. Schools, particularly in some areas, are not being renovated, and leisure and cultural facilities for children and young people are hard to reach. By investing in these essential services, the Greens hope to improve the quality of life for residents and ensure that they can continue to thrive in their communities.
To support this endeavour, the Greens propose the establishment of a joint federal and state competence agency. This agency would help municipalities access funding and provide guidance on effective investment strategies.
The Greens also aim to revitalize city centres by backing regional value chains and innovative housing projects. By doing so, they hope to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in these regions.
The concept for this proposal was developed through the dialogue project "City Country Future". This project included a representative telephone survey, regional conferences, and a nationwide online conference. The paper was written by Britta Haßelmann, Markus Tressel, Claudia Müller, and Stefan Schmidt.
However, the specific locations for this proposed investment have not been explicitly mentioned. Frequent bus and train services are lacking in small towns, which is another area of concern that the Greens aim to address.
The Greens emphasize that people generally like to live in their region and want to ensure this continues. However, the lack of public services could potentially harm social cohesion. By investing in public goods, such as schools, leisure and cultural facilities, and transportation, the Greens aim to preserve these communities and maintain social harmony.
A basic law amendment would be necessary for the implementation of this new joint task. If these spaces are not preserved, social cohesion may suffer, and the Greens are determined to prevent this from happening. A photo showing an abandoned house in Köthen (Anhalt) symbolizes the neglect of public spaces in some regions, and the Greens' proposal aims to address this issue head-on.
