Vibrant center Cuxhaven
The future viability of downtown areas is an issue that presents many cities with similar yet highly specific challenges. The future prospects for city centers lie in creating attractive and vibrant hubs through a mix of uses—such as retail, commerce, crafts, industry, dining, housing, education, culture, and public institutions—and a spirit of collaboration that is cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary, and based on mutual respect. And this applies at all levels.
Funding programs as a driver of inner city transformation
In order to put this holistic approach into practice—not just in theory but also in reality—the city of Cuxhaven has secured funding through several topic-specific grant programs in recent years, thereby laying the groundwork for initiating and implementing even larger projects relevant to the downtown area. And it has done so successfully.
To address these challenges, the city of Cuxhaven, under the responsibility of the Economic Development Agency, has relied on several funding programs—with positive repercussions for the downtown area.
Thanks to the federal funding program “Sustainable City Centers and Town Centers” (ZIZ), new Christmas lighting was installed by the end of 2023, including in the eleven districts. From Nordersteinstraße to Deichstraße and on into the Lotsenviertel, a wide variety of lighting elements were installed, visibly enhancing the quality of the public space. The Lower Saxony emergency program “Perspective City Center,” launched in June 2021 and funded by the EU’s REACT EU recovery aid, also played a significant role in making the city center more future-proof.
Weitere Informationen
In this context, particular mention should be made of the implementation of lighting for buildings and squares in the downtown area, the update of the retail development plan, and the development of plans to enhance the Schleusenprielanlage and the Wasserturmpark, which are part of the larger Deichband project.
In addition, ZIZ also established “Zentrenmanagement Cuxhaven” as a coordinating body for projects relevant to the downtown area as well as citywide initiatives. Through collaboration with CIMA Beratung + Management GmbH from Hanover, a comprehensive management concept has been implemented since September 2023. Core tasks include networking stakeholders, managing vacant properties, supporting business owners, and initiating and implementing selected projects agreed upon with stakeholders, which include, among other things, new design elements, support for business owners through so-called store checks, and the establishment of a digital customer loyalty program. These interlinked measures create a holistic foundation for the sustainable development of Cuxhaven’s downtown areas and highlight the importance of implementation-oriented support programs.
Shaping the future: Cooperation as a success factor
A key to the successful implementation of these projects is close cooperation among all stakeholders. Cuxhaven demonstrates how a collaborative approach fosters innovation and progress. The regular City Marketing Roundtable provides business owners, advertising associations, and community groups with an opportunity to exchange ideas and jointly develop strategies. This is supported by the work of the city center management, which fosters dialogue with relevant departments of the city administration, the tourism organization Nordseeheilbad Cuxhaven GmbH, and stakeholders from the business and political sectors. These networks not only build trust but also pool resources to address challenges and actively shape change. Now is the time to capitalize on the spirit of optimism in Cuxhaven and stand together even more closely to shape Cuxhaven’s downtown into an attractive and livable center—not only for its own residents but also for the numerous visitors to this popular vacation destination.
Video
Further information
CIMA is already familiar with the city of Cuxhaven through various projects (including the Lotsenviertel neighborhood management initiative) and therefore has a good understanding of the local conditions. CIMA serves as the project’s main point of contact, and Adrian Pietsch is the “man on the ground,” regularly visiting the site and staying actively involved.
Do you have a concern or would you like advice? Then please feel free to contact Mr. Pietsch:
Center Management Office
Kapitän-Alexander-Straße 1
27472 Cuxhaven
Roundabout on the ground floor
Appointments by arrangement.
Hilke von der Reith, M.A.
Project management, location marketing
Tel.: +49 (0) 4721 / 599-718