Good day,
Attached is a press release from the city of St. Ingbert with a request for publication.
Day of Urban Development Promotion 2026 in St. Ingbert: Open Doors, Exciting Insights, and Vibrant Urban Development
Under the nationwide motto "Vibrant places, strong communities," the city of St. Ingbert took part in the Urban Development Promotion Day on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with a diverse program. Citizens of St. Ingbert took the opportunity to experience current urban development projects up close and to take a behind-the-scenes look.
Nationwide, around 600 municipalities participated with about 700 events in the campaign day, which aims to make urban development funding projects visible and to strengthen the dialogue with the citizens. In St. Ingbert, transparency, participation, and communal experience were also the focus.
A special focus was placed on the new music school located in the premises of the former correctional facility. During the open house day, visitors were able to tour the renovated rooms, try out musical activities, and learn about the work of the music school. The program was accompanied by culinary offerings as well as creative participatory activities for children.
The official opening was musically performed by an exceptional brass quartet, consisting of two music school teachers and two administrative staff members. Afterwards, representatives from politics and institutions welcomed the guests.
"I warmly welcome you here today and invite you to get to know our new music school in this historic building. In my opinion, the money invested here by various funding bodies has been very well spent. Now it is up to us to fill the building with life and music," emphasized Ingo Nietert, head of the music school, highlighting the significance of the project.
Mayor Nadine Backes also emphasized the special symbolic significance of the building: "Today's action day is nationally themed 'Living Places, Strong Communities.' And I think: This motto perfectly describes what we are creating together here in St. Ingbert. Because urban development means much more than building and renovating. Urban development means creating places where people come together, meet, experience culture, and form communities. Exactly this is happening here today – right in a building with a very special history. Where the St. Ingbert correctional facility once was, music and joie de vivre now resound. The former prison from 1882 was carefully and respectfully converted into a modern music school with regard to the historic structure. A place of isolation has become a place of openness and encounter."
State Secretary Thorsten Lang emphasized the importance of the nationwide Urban Development Promotion Day to make funded projects visible and to provide citizens with insights into ongoing developments. He particularly praised the courageous conversion of the former prison into a modern music school as a successful community space.
Member of the Bundestag Esra Limbacher also emphasized urban development funding as an important tool for strengthening vibrant places of encounter.
There was also great interest in the two construction site tours through the historic cotton spinning mill. Dr. Gregor Scherf from the State Office for Monument Preservation provided exciting details about its former use as a cotton spinning mill. The participants also gained fascinating insights into the ongoing renovation work, during which a modern administrative building and a new museum are being created.
The day of action was complemented by city tours on the theme "Albert Weisgerber," musical taster sessions, information booths, as well as numerous creative workshops and interactive activities for children and families.
With the successful day of action, the city of St. Ingbert impressively demonstrated how historical places can be revitalized through urban development funding and opened up for the community. The Day of Urban Development Funding made it clear how modern, vibrant meeting places can emerge from historical structures.
Photos: Giusi Faragone
BU1: Mayor Nadine Backes welcomed the guests on the Day of Urban Development Promotion in the courtyard of the new music school.
BU2 (from left to right): For the opening, Maximilian Raber, Member of the State Parliament, State Secretary Torsten Lang, Esra Limbacher, Member of the German Bundestag, and Mayor Nadine Backes came to the music school.
