Public-private development agency
(Rhineland-Palatinate)
Source: Stadt Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues (pop. 6,700) lies in the Mosel valley close to the town of Wittlich. Apart from the important industry of wine-making, the town is heavily characterised by tourism and is important as a supply centre for the region.
Local stakeholders have been trying to solve the inner city's structural problems for some years. With traditional town marketing and various events, this has only succeeded to a limited extent. It was clear very quickly that a comprehensive and cross-subject procedure was required to strength the inner city. As a result, the traditional town marketing was amended to include structural development components and service aspects.
Source: Mosel-Gäste-Zentrum, Stadt Bernkastel-Kues
To solve the structural problems of the inner city, the development agency Bernkastel-Kues e.V. was founded in 2004 at the initiative of private companies. It is organised as an association and has approximately 120 members. Retailers, house owners, hoteliers, restaurateurs, other companies, citizens and representatives of the town council are represented. The association works with three full-time and other freelance employees, under the management of an external consultant. Apart from the board, a strategy team forms the central discussion and implementation committee.
As an alternative approach to the traditional town marketing, the development agency's tasks are to develop fundamental structures and to strengthen the function of the inner city and the entire location. It works in the form of a Public-Private-Partnership and performs tasks in the fields of economic development, urban development and redevelopment. At the same time, it represents the interests of private stakeholders and their members. It offers services and products in the areas of tourism, retail, property and housing, culture and leisure. It has succeeded in reducing the otherwise time-consuming paths to project realisation.
Alongside the active cooperation of private stakeholders in the development agency, they also participate in the financing of projects, such as the "Bernkast'ler Fenster". The retail project was initiated by the development agency in 2004. Retailers, vintners and artists offer special products from their range in vacant plots in the historic core of Bernkastel-Kues. The exhibitions, which change every six weeks, present the range of offers from retailers in Bernkastel-Kues.
In order to keep the town an attractive place to live and work in the future, the development agency relies on dialogue with town stakeholders and the cooperation of the economy, culture and administration/policy. Correspondingly, it follows a holistic approach and involves urban development, urban redevelopment, economic development and tourism in its projects.
A third of the agency's budget is financed through contributions from the association members. Bernkastel-Kues provides a subsidy and a town employee. Measures are also financed with funds from urban development grants, and from project-related acquired funds. The plans for the future envisage increasing the proportion of the privately financed project developments through a project development company.
The development agency acts independently in operative business. The town council is regularly informed of the activities and projects of the development agency.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 11/2004 | Development agency founded |
| 01/2005 | "Bernkast'ler Fenster" opened |
| 032005 | "Service-Stadt Bernkastel-Kues" events started |
| 04/2005 and 01/2006 | "Service Fachkraft IHK" certified training course |
| 10/2005 | Quick-Check of shop spaces and assortments |
| 12/2006 | Inclusion in the state initiative "QuartiersGemeinschaften Innenstadt" |
| 2007 | Development of the tourism quality offensive |
Source: Mosel-Gäste-Zentrum, Stadt Bernkastel-Kues
Source: Mosel-Gäste-Zentrum, Stadt Bernkastel-Kues
Service and quality offensive
Retail quality offensive
Quick-Check of shop spaces and assortments
Development of new service structures and operating forms in retail (e.g. "Bernkasteler Fenster")
Source: Stadt Bernkastel-Kues
The overall concept of the Bernkastel-Kues e.V. development agency contributes to the sustained profiling of the inner city. Through various projects, the association has succeeded in improving the local conditions of Bernkastel-Kues and maintaining and expanding the town as a high quality residential economic and tourist location. Competitiveness has been enhanced and the attractiveness of the town for regional customers and tourists increased. Bernkastel-Kues has succeeded in establishing itself as a so-called "Enjoyment Town" in the region.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 54470 - town: Bernkastel-Kues - street: Gestade 6.
Record inserted on 27.01.2009 by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).
Last update: 17.08.2009
