A conversation with Rudi Mühlhans about ten years of neighborhood management

Neighborhood management has been active on Johannisplatz, Neuer Platz and in the Stein district in Geretsried for several years.

In an interview with our newspaper, Rudi Mühlhans from the sponsoring association takes stock.

Geretsried

- For ten years now, the Johannisplatz, Neuer Platz and Stein quarters have been upgraded through the federal-state funding program “Socially Integrative City”.

District management is part of the program.

Behind it is the sponsoring association for youth and social work.

In an interview with editor Doris Schmid, his managing director, Rudi Mühlhans, takes stock.

Mr. Mühlhans, the sponsoring association has been taking care of the district management on behalf of the city since 2010.

What exactly does that mean?

Neighborhood management is characterized by the fact that actors from administration, politics and business as well as clubs and residents are brought together.

In addition to the structural development of the district, the coexistence of the citizens should also succeed and the local economy should be promoted.

The citizens in the different parts of the city should participate in the improvement process.

The point is to convey suggestions for self-help.

The district councils are therefore an important part of our work.

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Rudi Mühlhans managing director of the sponsoring association for youth and social work

© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss

Who is behind the neighborhood management?

The quarter management is now carried out by a team of five.

Sandra Mader recently returned from parental leave, she is active in Stein together with Irina Pfafenrod and Franziska Walter.

Natascha Siebert takes care of Neuer Platz and, together with Irina Pfafenrod, of Johannisplatz.

I myself take part in coordinating two hours a week.

We coordinate our work with Rainer Goldstein, Christian Müller and Nadine Klemt from the municipal building authority.

Raphael Stegen from the planning office of the same name is there to advise.

Close cooperation with the city council is part of the program through a steering group.

What successes have been achieved over the past ten years?

The neighborhood management has developed well.

Unfortunately, this year you feel that all the more clearly, because due to Corona the festivals at Johannisplatz, Neuer Platz and in Stein unfortunately all had to be canceled and will probably not be possible until the end of the year.

That's why it's so great that new ideas are developed locally, such as the "Edible City" or the decentralized flea markets.

The activation of the citizens in the city districts is a very great success.

You speak of the district councils that have existed since 2018.

These committees work with other residents, sometimes very strongly, for their district and coexistence.

Many ideas were born and implemented in the process, from lectures to game afternoons, exhibitions and senior cafes to yoga courses.

Much of it takes place in the Quartierstreff in Stein.

Yes, the meeting is something very special.

It is accepted by many people and is an optimal basis for further work.

Until last year, I would not have dared to believe that we in Stein are now in the final phase of project development for the new construction of a community and youth center in the heart of the district.

The house will not only be an ideal replacement for the Ein-Stein, which was built as a provisional facility from the start, and the neighborhood meeting place, but also offer optimal conditions for a lively meeting place with many possible uses.

From VHS courses to neighborhood get-togethers and counseling services to high-level cultural offers, a lot is possible.

The district management should expire at the end of the year.

Why should the city council advocate an extension?

Considerable things have grown out of the delicate little plant of the early days.

The realignment in 2017 in particular, not to simply move on to the next district with the district management, but to work in all three areas in parallel, was an important and correct step.

There are fields of action for the future in every redevelopment area.

In addition to social issues, there are also urban planning issues, such as improving neighborhoods with a view to making life more accessible.

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