The BRETZENHEIM gestalten e.V. association carried out a citizen participation process at the invitation of the former mayor and in consultation with the city administration. The aim was to develop a traffic and design concept for the center of Bretzenheim. The focus here is on improving the quality of life, sustainability aspects, future traffic management, and measures to increase (perceived) traffic safety and compliance with existing rules. After the concept was approved by a vote of the citizens and the local council, the second phase of implementation will take place with the city administration, accompanied by a working group from the local council. Representatives of the local council and the citizenry are actively involved in this working group.

Broad citizen participation is being implemented.
During the planning phase, three levels of participation were offered: plenary events, dialogues with interest groups, project work, and working groups. The events were open to the entire citizenry, including political representatives (local advisory council). The city administration was involved from the outset. In a plenary session, the concept was approved by 98% of citizens and subsequently adopted by the local council.

The implementation phase is being monitored by a working group of the local advisory council with representatives of the citizens and the local advisory council, which is implementing the concept in cooperation with the city. All results of the participation formats and the implementation are published in the Bretzenheim KURIER and on the Bretzenheim APP. Citizens can provide feedback throughout the entire project via the APP, email, and personal contact, and this feedback is incorporated into the implementation.

Mainz-Bretzenheim (town center)

• Planning and design phase February 2023 to November 2023
• Implementation of short-term measures by March 2026 (originally planned for mid-2024)
• Implementation of longer-term measures expected after 2026 (originally planned for 2025)

The investment costs for the short-term measures amount to approximately €12,000 and were financed by donations. The costs for long-term measures cannot be quantified at this time.

• February 2023 to November 2023 – Development of the concept and approval by the city council
• April/May 2024 – On-site meetings between the working group and city administration / Implementation of initial measures
• May 2025 – Installation of planters donated by BRETZENHEIM gestalten e.V.
• June 2025 – Installation of pictograms on Bahnstraße/Rathausstraße
• September 2025 – Start of trial operation of the one-way street system
• October 2025 – Application to the city administration for adjustments to the traffic concept