Interview with Petra Roth

About the Future of our Cities - In Talks with Petra Roth

Mrs. Roth, as vice-president of the Association of German Cities and Lord Mayor of the city of Frankfurt, I would like to hear your thoughts on the future role of German cities. What are the challenges facing our big cities in the near future? There are indeed a number of challenges, with each German city being affected differently. Berlin, for example, has a special position, but also a city state like Hamburg. Budget consolidation is certainly essential for all of them in times of decreasing tax income. The relationship between unavoidable consolidation and indispensable investment will be very important. All major cities have security problems, cultural financing is an issue, integration of the foreign population, education and training for young people; this is really about the future of urban society. What is the role of urban development? This is a very significant factor for the cohesion of urban society and the promotion of location. The loss of new businesses and residential areas, the ratio of housing, work and leisure quality is becoming more and more significant. This applies even more to the development of inner cities. More and more European cities are planning exceptional projects. What are the main developments in Germany? Globalization is becoming a reality in Germany's big cities. However, the respective regions play a growing role. Thus the Rhine-Main region centered on Frankfurt competes with comparable regions in the Benelux countries, France, or southern England. It is important to build on the region's strengths, for example in tourism, transport infrastructure, culture, a strong investment climate, or effective administration. How do our big cities fare in international comparison? They do pretty well, but their differences must be specified. It is problematic to compare Berlin to metropolises such as New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo. But Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and of course Frankfurt can measure themselves against comparable cities and come off excellently. Frankfurt, for example, immediately follows the cities mentioned above as a financial center. You are often traveling abroad. What is the general impression of German cities? It is strongly differentiated according to their respective profiles. Munich, Cologne, and Frankfurt are associated with their specific services. Let's talk about Frankfurt. In the coming years, it seems there will be a lot of urban development. How do you explain this new development? We have succeeded in breaking down ideological blockades that dominated the eighties and early nineties. It is not the height of a house that is decisive, but its design and how it fits into its surroundings. The insight has gradually become established that we are in fierce competition with other cities and regions at home and abroad. Nothing will happen by itself. We must be better. The meaning of this reality has been sharpened. Representatives of Frankfurt strive to improve its image through events, especially abroad. Isn't it time to do something like this nationwide here in Germany? Both are necessary, and this is also happening. As an international city we must, of course, promote ourselves in New York, in the Far East, or on the map in Cannes. But of course those who are interested in business promotion and cultural institutions are constantly attracting attention throughout Germany. As I said, coordination is gaining importance. New York City started its own image campaign “I love New York” in 1974. Could this be an example for Frankfurt? We always have to think about image campaigns. This also applies to the euro [currency] and not just Frankfurt. But the campaign really needs to fit our city to convince people. Could you, perhaps, brief the interested reader on which new perspectives in city planning are emerging? The inner core city will be considerably renewed. According to proposals from the competition, the Zeil will get a different face, and a cultural mile on Braubachstraße will be created. With the Europaviertel, a completely new district is growing alongside the exposition center, plus the new construction of the European Central Bank in the east. Great city planning perspectives are opening up. Please draw a picture of how Frankfurt could look in 15 years. An economic boom in the city with a unique expanded skyline, which makes it unmistakable among all other major German, even European, cities. A city with a high demand for cultural offerings, a safe and attractive financial metropolis. Many thanks for the friendly conversation. The interview was conducted in 2001. Translation by Daniel Kieckhefer.