The further development of the city center into a climate-friendly place where people of all ages can move around and spend time even on hot days is an important component of the city center concept for the future. After all, restaurants and retailers can only thrive where people like to be.
This requires inviting places, seating, exercise areas, family facilities and urban nature - with plants and trees that provide shade, improve the microclimate and offer habitats and food for many species. The future project "Green Center" (formerly known under the working title "Green Belt") is taking on this major task, with the Office for Planning and Building as the project sponsor.
The project area
The Green Center future project aims to create a ribbon of open space that runs through the city centre and improves both the quality of stay and the microclimate. The project area stretches from the pedestrian zone in the area of Berliner Strasse in the north, via Marktplatz in the east, Geleitsstrasse in the south and Kaiserstrasse in the west of the city center. The focus is primarily on the sequence of squares from Platz der Deutschen Einheit via Stadthof and Hugenottenplatz to Marktplatz - including the forecourt of the Marktplatz S-Bahn station.
This has already happened
Green center: What the people of Offenbach are saying
On November 5, 2025, a public participation event was held for the "Green City Center" project. Around 40 citizens contributed their perspectives via city walks and hands-on stations in the town hall. The aim was to take a joint look at the central sequence of squares in the city center - from Platz der Deutschen Einheit, Stadthof and Hugenottenplatz to the square in front of the Marktplatz S-Bahn station - and collect ideas for their development.
The feedback showed a clear picture of the desired changes:
- More greenery, shade and water: there is a desire for increased greenery throughout the city center, more trees and shady elements to counteract the feeling of heat.
- Improved quality of stay: The transformation of transit areas into attractive places with more seating and non-consumer offers is an important concern.
- Well-maintained appearance and identity: A higher quality of maintenance and design diversity through art, culture or better lighting were considered important.
- Civic engagement: The willingness to get actively involved through sponsorships and community engagement was also discussed.
The next steps:
The results of this on-site participation will now be combined with the findings from the online participation and the children and youth parliament. They will be incorporated into the development of an integrated concept for Die Grünen Mitte, which will then be presented to the city councillors for a decision.
How the green center is planned - and what participation formats are available
Since 2025, a feasibility study has been examining how the project area can be sustainably planted and enhanced in terms of climate and design. The feasibility study will be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Implementation will then be planned on this basis and an overall concept developed by the Office for Planning and Building. This process will be accompanied by various participation formats in order to integrate local knowledge and incorporate the wishes and suggestions of citizens into the concept development.
Mobile shade providers
Initial measures were also taken even before the feasibility study:
Around the Stadthof and the town hall, things became greener in spring 2024 thanks to tubs of flowering perennials and trees. And large flower pots with trees were also installed on the market square to provide shade and help the environment.
Head of the building department Paul-Gerhard WeißAs part of the project, an integrated overall concept is being developed that contains concrete measures for a sustainable and future-proof inner city design. The experiences, ideas and wishes of the citizens play an important role in this.
Future concept for the city center
Vision for Offenbach's city center
The city center future concept is a strategy adopted by the city council in 2020 with which we are transforming Offenbach's city center into a liveable center for all citizens.
