OPINION Viewpoint: Olaf Scholz Driven by Inclusiveness and Diversity I have personally written to more than 150,000 foreign residents“ encouraging them to apply for German citizenship. ” 31 opinion or years now, Germany’s economic powerhouse Hamburg has been F attracting immigrants to evolve into a highly cosmopolitan city of 1.8 million. To Mayor Olaf Scholz, this diversity is what gives Hamburg its charm. In this Viewpoint, he shares that it is now the government’s duty to give those who work hard opportunities to excel. This means using the city’s economic prosperity to spur inclusive growth and innovation that will, in turn, empower residents to continue adding to the vibrancy of the city. In 2012, The New York Times wrote, “no one Catholic Church, the Jewish community tells you how pretty Hamburg is”. This and, recently, an accord with Muslim “thrilling discovery” was probably due to communities. to Hamburg’s reputation as a business centre. Germany’s world trade is anchored Hamburg is growing, largely due to in Hamburg—home to Europe’s third- migration, as an increasing number of biggest container port, and the world’s third people see their future in this city. We largest aviation industry. Hamburg is also welcome this; it is the government’s duty to a media capital and centre of innovative give people who make an effort and work technologies such as wind power. hard a proper chance. This includes using economic prosperity to generate growth Hamburg is famously cosmopolitan: people that is inclusive and empowers residents to from 200 countries live here, with one in continue adding to the wealth of the city. three residents a migrant or a descendant of one. The city has a population of 1.8 Education for All million and is the economic centre of a Issue 9 • J metropolitan region with over 5 million The logical consequence is investment in people. As mayor, I have personally written the city’s social infrastructure. Compulsory to more than 150,000 foreign residents schooling and equal-opportunity vocational u encouraging them to apply for German training are keys to integration in L 2016 citizenship. We also take freedom of Hamburg. All children may attend free religion very seriously. Plurality is normal day care in the municipal facilities; at every here—there are over 100 active religious secondary school it is possible to gain a communities in Hamburg, and an active university-entrance qualification and good- inter-religious dialogue about topics quality municipal universities are likewise such as religious instruction in schools. free. Some successful non-state universities Not only has the city signed cooperation with good international reputations have agreements with the Protestant Church, by also been established. And among the far the largest grouping, but also with the numerous institutions engaged in basic research, the biggest star is Deutsches Spurring Housing Development Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), one of the world’s leading accelerator centres, A liveable city is nourished by the spirit, which is currently working on building zest for life and energy of its residents, the X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) and we do not want them worn down by research facility. When completed in 2017, hours of commuting or precarious housing the facility will place Hamburg as the arrangements. Therefore, as soon as I took world’s premier site for research into the over the government of Hamburg in 2011, structure of matter. an ambitious housing programme to build new apartments was introduced. Today, there Employment is more construction activity in Hamburg than anywhere else in Germany—a In Hamburg, all government departments demonstration of what inclusion means work together to ensure that no young for urban development policies. person—regardless of citizenship—is left behind in terms of employment. For Each year we have achieved, and often years the German system of combining surpassed, our target and we are starting at-work and theoretical education has to see signs that price increases are being produced excellent skilled workers curbed. But we shall not stop building for trade and industry. Hamburg has houses. The population is still growing, and therefore established a youth careers we have also had a recent influx of refugees advice agency to help every young person last year. In spring, the Senate increased the gain a school-leaving certificate and house-building target. How will that work? vocational qualification. We have roped By including house-building at every stage in the Chamber of Commerce and other of town-planning, by facilitating private and business confederations so that they can public housing construction and making give their input on an institutional level. smart use of land. We seek to work with as many businesses as possible and have developed an The “Alliance for Homes” has been especially close working relationship with Hamburg’s response to the need for house- the bigger Hamburg industries as they building. It is a voluntary agreement are our best bet when it comes to placing between local authorities, developers, and young people in jobs. associations representing landlords and tenants, whereby the city boroughs have agreed to issue 10,000 or more planning 33 opinion Compulsory schooling and equal- opportunity vocational training are keys “ to integration in Hamburg. and building permits per year while friendly homes and apartments for artists. developers would aim to meet this target Within walking” distance of the main collectively, on a voluntary basis. So far, station and with excellent underground 50,000 permits have been issued since train and bus services, the district has 2011, with 20,000 already built. space for 45,000 workplaces, cultural events, public parks and educational Expanding Social Housing facilities, including two universities. As is usual in Germany, most people in Hamburg has tapped road construction Hamburg rent their apartments. About projects to benefit house building: a a third of these apartments belongs to local interest group first suggested that the municipal housing association or the motorway to Scandinavia, which other cooperative societies, providing cuts straight through our city, could be reasonably-priced homes. When roofed over to reduce noise and unite municipal building land is sold, social the districts on either side. Funding is factors play a role as well as the price. now in place. The “roof” is 3.5 kilometres Overall, building permission is granted long, offering 0.25 square kilometres of in a three-way split: one third privately- new, open green space; in return, space funded housing, one third “buy-to-let” for 3,000 new dwellings in an attractive apartments and one third social housing. district of the city will be freed up. Expanding social housing serves to widen Hamburg is characterised by public our city’s typically stable, diverse social spaces, shaped by people who meet fabric. HafenCity’s development is one together as free citizens. The new arrival such example. This tract of disused port of many different people is what gives and industrial land increases the central the city so much charm. Today, more city area by 1.57 square kilometres or than ever, this model of the open urban Issue 9 • 40%. About 7,000 apartments for more society needs a public infrastructure than 14,000 people are being built here. that supports housing construction and Since 2011, we have reserved 30% of facilitates access to work and education. JUL 2016 the building lots for subsidised housing. One more reason why people say There are barrier-free dwellings, child- Hamburg is a truly remarkable city. .