Rethinking the Heart of the City
What defines Bitburg’s city center today? What are its strengths, weaknesses, and future potential? To answer these questions, the City of Bitburg launched a collaborative project with its residents and key stakeholders. The goal: shape a future-oriented, vibrant city center grounded in the city’s identity and the voices of those who live and work there.
The project combined large-scale citizen engagement with strategic urban marketing. A citywide survey, thematic workshops, and in-depth analyses formed the foundation of a comprehensive marketing and branding concept for the center. Bitburg’s advantage? The city center has already undergone renovation and is seeing the arrival of new businesses — a strong starting point for building a dynamic urban core.
At the heart of the project: enhancing quality of life and future viability with a clear ambition — a lively, accessible, and attractive city center.
A Tailor-Made and Inclusive Approach
Every city is unique — and Bitburg is no exception. While common challenges such as post-pandemic transformation, commercial shifts, or vacancy rates affect many cities, local specificities matter.
That’s why our approach focused on identifying Bitburg’s own DNA through several key actions:
- A comprehensive online survey, with 800 local respondents,
- A public forum gathering around 100 participants,
- Workshops with local stakeholders from retail, politics, culture and associations,
- Detailed analysis of service quality and visibility of the city center offer.
One surprising outcome: many residents spontaneously praised the cleanliness of the city center — something rarely seen in other cities.
Citizens Shaping the Future
The participatory process didn’t stop with the survey. A citizen forum followed, using personas to facilitate group discussions and generate tangible ideas — such as creating a senior community space or organizing more events for young people.
Beyond the data, this type of engagement also helps create a stronger sense of place and awareness: “It’s not just about collecting feedback. These moments build a shared identity and reveal the true potential of the city center,”.
From Analysis to Strategy
Based on all collected insights, a comprehensive marketing concept was designed for the city center, including:
- A consistent, strategic vision,
- Concrete recommendations,
- A matrix of actions,
- A governance and implementation structure,
- Budget planning.
The city also identified which actions fall under its direct control — and where external actors (businesses, civil society, associations) need to be mobilized.
A Shared Vision for a Stronger City Center
Bitburg is well-positioned to move forward with a clear strategy and strong local support. The project has helped the city better understand its residents’ expectations — and given everyone a shared roadmap for the future.
More than a plan, this project has sparked momentum. Local leaders, citizens, and entrepreneurs alike now recognize the importance of a strong and lively city center — and the role they can play in shaping it.
From the Konrad-Adenauer green space to the recently renovated public areas around the town hall and Notre-Dame Church, Bitburg’s city center is ready to write its next chapter — cleaner, greener, and closer to its people. (mettre photos)
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