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Norbert Fuchs: Mülheim's influential district mayor is retiring
Norbert Fuchs, the long-time district mayor of Mülheim, is retiring; a look back at his time in office and future challenges.
Norbert Fuchs: Mülheim's influential district mayor is retiring
With one laughing and one crying eye, Norbert Fuchs, the popular district mayor of Cologne-Mülheim, is retiring after 41 years of committed politics. The 76-year-old looks back on an impressive career that began in 1982 when he was elected to the district council for the SPD. Even then, he submitted his first proposal for the design of Wiener Platz and had a significant influence on its development. The square has changed a lot over the years, going from a dreary concrete area to a lively place that was redesigned in the 1990s, reports Review online.
“It was a great time with a lot of commitment and change,” says Fuchs, who describes his time in the district council as instructive and formative. He always looked after the concerns of citizens, even if not all projects went smoothly. Important projects such as relieving traffic on Bergisch Gladbacher Strasse came to a standstill. “There are always challenges that you have to overcome,” he adds.
A tragic incident at Wiener Platz
The “Wiener Platz Round Table” ensures regular meetings with various institutions to clarify responsibilities. The planned security measures include the introduction of video surveillance. There are also plans to repair the escalator for around 300,000 euros. However, Fuchs and his team are faced with the challenge of clarifying the legal framework for a possible ban on alcohol on the pitch, as alcohol is often associated with incidents.
Security concepts for a better quality of life
Security in cities is a central task of urban policy and requires structural measures as well as cooperation between different actors, including: Safer City initiative impressively represents. Measures include the design of safe public spaces, good lighting and effective surveillance. The goal is for Mülheim to be perceived as a lively city and to avoid unpleasant “fearful dreams”.
Fuchs sees the development of the district as a whole as positive. The connection to the S-Bahn has been improved and the trendy district on Schanzenstrasse has grown. Fuchs has always shown a good knack for forming alliances across party lines and finding solutions together. “We can achieve a lot if we work together,” he says and announces that after his retirement he will take more care of his sick wife, but will continue to stay in touch with the people in Mülheim.
Overall, Norbert Fuchs leaves behind a legacy of collaboration and positive development. The citizens of Mülheim will miss him and his commitment, but the changes he initiated will keep his footprint on the cityscape visible for a long time.