At the end of June, the NRW Practice Day for Urban and District Stakeholders (NRW-Praxistag der Stadt- und Quartiersakteure) took place in Recklinghausen – an event that put the future of our city centers in the spotlight. Last Friday, the new issue of the Handelsverband NRW magazine “NRW handelt” was published, reporting how, under the motto “(Re)Activating Communities”, around 120 participants from city marketing, retail, administration, and volunteer organizations came together to discuss new ways to create vibrant, sustainable urban centers. Our team member Patrick Schülke was also on site, contributing innovative impulses for urban climate adaptation.
Community as the Key to the City Center of the Future
The Handelsverband Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V. has reinvented the “former Erfa meeting of location and promotional associations” and, with the NRW Practice Day, created a format that met with enormous demand, as reported in the August issue of the Handelsverband NRW’s e-magazine “NRW handelt”.
The importance of strong networks and strategic partnerships for the attractiveness and quality of stay in our city centers became clear in the discussions and exchanges among participants.
The insight, not only from CIMA: „Promotional associations make an indispensable contribution to #attractiveness, #identity, and #qualityofstay in our city centers and local districts through their on-site activities.
Without them, there would be no shopping Sundays, summer festivals, or atmospheric winter lighting.“
Photo: Handelsverband NRW
The challenges – from the decline in volunteer work within promotional associations, rising costs and requirements for events, to structural changes in city centers and districts, as well as changing consumer behavior and a strong online orientation – are significant. Yet, the willingness to “Take action. Connect. Experiment. Think ahead.” was clearly present, as CIMA Beratung + Management summarized on LinkedIn .
„The future of the city center does not begin someday. It begins with people who take action, connect, experiment, and think ahead” , said Rainer Gallus, Managing Director of Handelsverband NRW and organizer of the Practice Day, as quoted in NRW handelt. „Networks were not only recommended, but actively lived.”
Photo: Handelsverband NRW
Moss Wall as a “Sustainable City Window”
The „digital afternoon“ focused on the „city as a platform for experiences, not just for shopping.“
A highlight of the day was the presentation by our Sales Manager, Patrick Schülke. As
Our innovative solutions for green infrastructure improve air quality, create green oases, and make the city a platform for experience and well-being – an approach that attracted great interest and numerous questions in personal exchanges, as highlighted by NRW handelt.
Promotional Associations: Drivers of Quality of Life and Economic Strength
The key takeaway from the NRW Practice Day: Promotional associations are drivers for the future of the city center. They provide identity, attractiveness and quality of life – and require strategic partnerships, digital visibility and support from municipalities and the business community. The city as a space for experiences thrives on committed people who take action together and try out new ideas.
Photo: GCS
Conclusion: The Future Begins Now – With Green Solutions and Strong Networks
The future of the city center begins now. Green City Solutions is proud to be part of this movement and to contribute to a livable, resilient city of the future with sustainable, green innovations.
We join Handelsverband Nordrhein-Westfalen in saying: “A heartfelt thank you to all participants for the inspiring exchange, exciting practical reports, and committed discussions!”
You can find more about the event and the German August issue of “NRW handelt” here and in the current e-magazine.
With our bio-digital innovations, we offer a unique combination of nature and technology for urban climate adaptation: They filter fine dust, cool the microclimate and create attractive places to stay – a real added value for city marketing, promotional associations, and everyone who wants to sustainably enhance the quality of stay in city centers.
Would you like to learn more about the various possibilities or make your city center greener and more livable? Or are you interested in green AND attention-grabbing advertising opportunities?