\u201eMore Experience. More City. More Future.\u201c<\/strong><\/p><\/h3><\/div> How can city centers once again become places where people enjoy spending their time? This question was the focus of the GCSP Municipal Conference<\/a><\/em><\/strong> held on June 16 and 17, 2026, in Essen. Under the theme “More Experience. More City. More Future \u2013 Health, Sport, and Entertainment as New Anchor”<\/a><\/em><\/strong> representatives from municipalities, retail, and the real estate industry discussed the future of urban spaces.<\/p>\n A central theme of the conference: Successful city centers need more than just retail. They require Quality of Stay, places for social interaction, and diverse uses that give people a genuine reason to linger.<\/p>\n<\/div> Foto: Group photo in front of the venue, Bettina Meirose (HI HEUTE)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div> As reported by the industry portal HI-Heute<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, among others, the German Council of Shopping Places (GCSP)<\/a><\/em><\/strong> invited participants to what was now the fourth Municipal Conference […] this time held in Essen<\/a>. The conference made it clear that city centers are increasingly evolving into multi-functional living spaces. Alongside retail, sectors such as health, culture, sport, gastronomy, and entertainment are gaining importance as footfall drivers. At the same time, retail remains an indispensable component of vibrant urban centers.<\/p>\n Boris B\u00f6hm from Dr. Lademann & Partner aptly summarized the discussion: “The city center needs footfall. But above all, it needs reasons for people to go there in the first place”.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/greencitysolutions.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HI-Heute_Gruppenbild_EMG1_kompr-1024x539.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Footfall is Driven by Experience and Quality of Stay<\/strong><\/h4>\n