Nippes decides: Citizens rename controversial street!

Nippes decides: Citizens rename controversial street!

An exciting decision is pending in Cologne-Nippes: the renaming of Gustav-Nachtigal-Straße, which was initiated in a fundamental decision by the city in November 2024, is now taking concrete shape. From June 2025, the public will start a participation process to decide together on a new name for the street. This measure follows the call to address the colonial legacy, which the city has been pushing forward since 2021. The renaming process was also initiated by the recommendation of the Historical Advisory Board, which pointed to Nachtigal's controversial role as Reich Commissioner in West Africa and the associated experiences of violence.Kölnische Rundschau reports that the decision was made by the Nippes district council, against the single vote of a representative of the AfD.

Citizens can submit their suggestions until June 30, 2024, be it via postcards, leaflets or online via the “Opinion for Cologne” platform. The three current name suggestions include Rudolf Duala Manga Bell, the former king of Cameroon's Duala people, the civil rights activist Martin Dibobe and the former child soldier Mohamed Husen. Furthermore, further suggestions are expressly welcome. The evaluation of citizen participation is planned for July and August 2025 before the final decision is made by the district council in September 2025. Until then, all suggestions must be checked by the central name archive in the real estate office.

The legacy of the colonial era

When discussing the renaming, it becomes clear that there are many street names with a colonial connection in Germany. These names are often the legacy of colonialism that has left numerous traces in urban areas. Dealing with this is controversial. Critics emphasize that it is time to take a critical look at these names instead of leaving them unreflected. An example of this critical debate is the debate surrounding the naming of streets in Berlin, where “colonial” street names have been discussed for over three decades. Initiatives call for a decolonization of cities and new places of remembrance that address colonial resistance and the long-term consequences of colonialism.

The decision to rename Gustav-Nachtigal-Straße goes beyond just changing the name. It is part of a broader discussion about the culture of remembrance and the just commemoration of the victims of colonial violence. Many people and civil society groups are calling for a critical examination of German colonial history, often combined with the demand for new monuments and a culture of remembrance that do not forget the fight against colonial oppression.City of Cologne

The legacy of this conflict is also visible in other cities. Cologne street names such as Carl-Petersstrasse and Lüderitzstrasse show how deeply rooted colonialism is in the German city's history. The discussion about renaming is part of a larger social change that results in raising awareness about colonial traces in urban spaces.