One of the current initiatives covers Schusterstraße, Betzelstraße, and Stadthausstraße near the Kaufhof department store. Following the successful floor cleanings on Lotharstraße, it became clear that removing heavy soiling—such as chewing gum—can be more or less labor-intensive depending on the type of flooring.

Mayor Nino Haase: “We are deliberately in a test phase in which we are determining, under real-world conditions and in coordination with the City Cleaning Department and the Department of the Environment, which cleaning methods are appropriate and effective in which locations. The different types of pavement and varying levels of use in the city center require tailored solutions—and that is precisely why we are now establishing the data foundation.”

The cost of cleaning in the Schusterstraße area amounts to approximately 15,000 euros. During the trial phase, data on the effort, effectiveness, and sustainability of the measures will be collected to establish future cleaning standards and the necessary financial resources on this basis. Currently, the measures are being funded on a project-by-project basis from the current budget; establishing a permanent framework makes sense as the process continues.

"We don’t just want to improve city cleanliness in isolated areas; we want to reorganize it structurally and make it permanently efficient, coordinated, and transparent. Despite all the dedication of our staff, one thing remains crucial: the most effective approach is for all of us to pitch in—which saves a lot of effort and costs. All trash belongs in the trash cans, not on the ground," emphasizes Haase.