Time for optimism

Görlitz will receive approximately €1.3 million in funding from the federal program "Renovation of Municipal Sports Facilities" for the renovation of the Jahn sports hall. With a planned construction cost of around €2.7 million, this corresponds to a funding rate of 48 percent. The next steps are to clarify the overall financing and plan the renovation, which is expected to take 18 months.

The eight new accessible trams for Görlitz are to be built by Stadler and delivered by 2028. The trams are being purchased as part of the "Public Transport Model City" project, which aims to future-proof the city's public transport system. The transport infrastructure has been undergoing modernization for some time now as part of this project. The tender and awarding of the contract for the new trams had to be repeated due to the insolvency of the original manufacturer.

A historic moment for the European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec: After six years of intensive planning, the starting signal has been given for the construction phase of the cross-border district heating project UNITED HEAT. With UNITED HEAT, the European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec and its partners are realizing a pioneering project that will ensure the long-term, sustainable heat supply for the citizens of both cities. With a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Görlitz wastewater treatment plant, the Görlitz municipal utility (SWG AG), a joint venture of Veolia and the city of Görlitz, and the Polish heat supplier SEC Zgorzelec, a subsidiary of E.ON, are sending a powerful signal.

Görlitz and 15 other municipalities in the Görlitz district – Hähnichen, Hohendubrau, Horka, Kodersdorf, Neißeaue, Niesky, Rothenburg and Waldhufen in the north; Königshain, Markersdorf, Reichenbach and Schöpstal in the west; and Bernstadt, Schönau-Berzdorf and Ostritz in the south – have signed an agreement to improve the region's competitiveness through closer cooperation. Joint working groups are addressing issues such as building stock, transportation, and the development of commercial and industrial sites.

Heart and stroke patients can now be diagnosed and treated more gently using the new angiography and catheterization system (left heart catheterization lab) at the Municipal Hospital. The nearly three-million-euro device was funded by the federal and state governments and represents a commitment to Görlitz as a healthcare center.

Exactly 115 years after its opening, the foundation stone for the extension of Görlitz's Stadthalle (city hall) was laid as part of its renovation. This will expand the historic concert hall with a modern concert and event area. The renovation and extension will receive €44 million in funding from the federal government and the Free State of Saxony, with total planned costs of €51 million.

With the laying of the foundation stone for the extension of the hospital academy (OSCA - Ostsachsen Care Academy) at the Görlitz Municipal Hospital, new premises will be created by 2027 for around 5.9 million euros, offering space for up to 620 trainees in nursing professions and strengthening the security of skilled workers in the region.

A logistics center for SKAN Deutschland GmbH is being built in Hagenwerder and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 at a cost of approximately 16 million euros. From here, the SKAN Group's global supply chain will be served and managed, including exports to the USA, Asia, and within Europe.

The gymnasium at Cottbuser Straße 12, originally built at the end of the 19th century, will be renovated by autumn 2026. The listed building will then be used for recreational and club sports and will offer space for around 40 athletes.

Cross-border public transport between Görlitz and Zgorzelec is to be further expanded. The surrounding communities are to be better connected and digital sales channels for tickets are to be established.

The Construction Future Lab (CfLab) is being built on a two-hectare site in Klingewalde with total funding of 15 million euros. Research into the future and sustainability of digital construction will be conducted here starting in autumn 2026.

Due to its ambitious repertoire, immersive productions and strong regional roots, the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater Görlitz-Zittau was chosen by the "Deutsche Bühne" as the best city theater in Germany.

A temporary ban on alcohol consumption applies in Marienplatz and at the Frauenkirche in order to reduce alcohol-related disturbances of the peace and crimes.

For 7.4 million euros, of which 4.2 million euros were subsidies from the Free State of Saxony, the roof has been renovated, the facade insulated, sun protection installed on all windows, the courtyards renovated, a complete interior renovation (floors, walls, acoustic ceilings, doors, toilets) carried out and the technical building equipment (electrical engineering, heating, ventilation, sanitary facilities) renewed since March 2024.

The Görlitz-Zgorzelec Nature Conservation Zoo is known for its species-appropriate animal husbandry, innovative environmental education programs, and close ties to regional and international nature conservation projects. Based on online reviews across various criteria, it has now been voted the second-best zoo in Germany. The zoo has significantly improved in recent years: in addition to the new entrance building, enclosures have been renovated or newly constructed, a nature bridge provides barrier-free access, and a new parking lot has been opened. A Tibetan bear enclosure is currently under construction.

With new play equipment, a tactile orientation board, and adapted pathways, totaling €27,000, the popular city park playground has been further expanded into an inclusive playground. It offers children with disabilities numerous opportunities to use the space according to their abilities.

The Pließnitz Bridge underwent extensive repairs between December 2024 and June 2025 at a cost of €390,000. The work included, among other things, the dismantling and replacement of the steel superstructure, the repair of the wing walls, the construction of a new wooden substructure with a GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic) surface, the installation of a new railing, and the reactivation of the lighting.

By autumn 2026, a modern REWE supermarket will be built in the historic Werk I, with a sales area of ​​2000 square meters, for 13 million euros.

With €12 million in funding from the Free State of Saxony and €16.5 million in matching funds from the city of Görlitz, a fifth secondary school is being built in the western part of the city center. The cluster school on Rauschwalder Straße will offer a modern, flexible, and future-proof learning environment – ​​with innovative spatial concepts, modern specialist classrooms, and an open campus that encourages research, discovery, and networking.

The Görlitz Tourist Information Center at the Obermarkt has once again been awarded the "ServiceQuality Germany" seal of approval and is certified until April 2028. This award recognizes the tourist information center's high level of service orientation, digitalization, and sustainability.

Zodel Primary School has been under the administration of the city of Görlitz since the 2011/2012 school year. This will remain the case, and the school will continue to operate as a single-stream school. However, the original agreement had to be renewed due to changes in the school law. The revised agreement regulates the distribution of responsibilities and costs between the municipalities for fulfilling their school administration duties and was concluded indefinitely with a long-term perspective to secure the school's future.

After roughly 100 years, the western Elisabethplatz is shining in new splendor. With 46 new trees planted in double rows, irrigated via an underground cistern system, it now invites visitors to shop, linger, and celebrate again after a €1.7 million renovation.

The establishment of MediaKom GmbH in Görlitz further strengthens the software and digitalization sector. This move not only revitalizes a vacant property in the city center but also creates 190 future-proof jobs in the growing service industry.

The cross-border project UNITED HEAT – a cross-border, climate-neutral district heating supply, a collaboration between the Görlitz municipal utility (SWG) and the Polish heat supplier SEC Zgorzelec – is gaining momentum. The concept phase, including the necessary acquisition of approximately €200 million in funding from the EU and the German federal government, is now largely complete, so that the first construction work will begin in 2025. With the UNITED HEAT project, the European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec is taking on a pioneering role.

The CRossWATER project is a cross-border groundwater management initiative for the twin cities of Görlitz and Zgorzelec. It is being implemented between January 2025 and December 2027 as part of the EU INTERREG program Poland – Saxony 2021–2027. With a total project budget of €1,754,537.36, of which €1,403,629.87 is funded by the EU, the project aims to increase the climate resilience of Görlitz and Zgorzelec, improve the security of the water supply, and ensure the sustainable use of the cross-border groundwater system.

Working conditions at the Görlitz professional fire brigade are set to improve significantly. In addition to renovating the existing buildings at Krölstraße 26/27 and Gobbinstraße 11/12, the city is also planning a new building. This is necessary, among other things, because new parking spaces are needed for modern fire engines. The existing parking spaces in the older buildings are too small for today's vehicles. The planning for the new building has been commissioned to ARGE Jarmer Architektur & Raum from Dresden and the planning office Schubert GmbH & Co. KG from Radeberg.

LMBV and the municipalities bordering Lake Berzdorf – Görlitz, Schönau-Berzdorf, and Markersdorf – have signed an agreement regarding the early subsequent use of the lake. This agreement regulates the use of shoreline areas and paths, as the remediation is entering its final phase and mining supervision is scheduled to end in 2026.

A pilot project by the Technical University of Dresden offers student teachers valuable practical experience at the Innenstadt secondary school in Görlitz. Through early integration into the classroom, they gain important insights into everyday school life and strengthen their career choice and, potentially, their connection to the region as an attractive place to live and work.

The Brückenpark II project in the twin city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec is being funded with a total of approximately €3.6 million from the EU Interreg program. It continues the successful cooperation between the two neighboring cities, which have been developing the connecting green corridor along the Neisse River since 2015. The focus until 2028 is on enhancing the Neisse Valley as a recreational and leisure area. This includes renovating the woodland park areas between Obermühle and Friedenshöhe, parts of the vineyard, and open spaces at the Dom Kultury (Cultural Center), enhancing them with benches, play equipment, and information panels.

The popular playground has been transformed into an inclusive "playground for all" and a meeting place through the renewal and expansion of play equipment and the addition of various barrier-free access points. The renovation of the playground was budgeted at €255,000, of which €160,000 was in subsidies and €95,000 was contributed by the city.

The city council approved the construction plans for the complete renovation of the Görlitz City Hall on June 19, 2024. This paved the way for the comprehensive modernization and conversion of the building, including a modern extension. Financing for the project is secured with a total of almost €51 million, of which €44 million is provided by the federal government and the Free State of Saxony.

The Investigation and Competence Center (FKZ) of the Federal Police and the Saxon State Police has relocated from Bautzen to Görlitz in the context of combating cross-border crime. The aim is to improve cooperation in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration, particularly through shorter response times and joint operational measures.

The Kahlbaum site in Görlitz will become the new campus of the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA). This will allow the large-scale research center, currently in its development phase, to be built. The Free State of Saxony purchased the site, including its historic buildings, from the owning company. The Free State will provide the DZA with the site permanently and free of charge. Approximately 1,000 employees will work on the Kahlbaum site to advance astrophysics research. Laboratories and workshops will be built there, among other facilities. About one-third of all DZA employees will be scientists. Another two-thirds will work in administrative and technical roles. Non-scientific jobs will range from skilled trades to office positions.

The Saxon Film Academy GmbH was founded in Görlitz as a flagship project for the training of skilled professionals. Its shareholders are the Alliance of German Producers, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and the European City of GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH. Its goal is to counteract the shortage of skilled film professionals in the film industry. The academy is based in Görlitz and aims to contribute to establishing "Görliwood" and the region as a future-proof production location.

The Görlitz Municipal Hospital has received a grant of €5.3 million from the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs for the expansion of its hospital academy. The project involves adding a two-story building to the existing vocational school. This expansion will create at least 260 additional training positions, nearly tripling the current capacity.

Deutsche Telekom has begun its fiber optic rollout in the city of Görlitz, aiming to provide large parts of the city with fiber optic connections (FTTH - Fiber to the Home) by 2027. Telekom is laying fiber optic cables directly into homes to enable speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s. The rollout will take place in several phases. Information will be provided by mail and at information events. Interested residents can use the availability checker on Telekom's website to see if their address is within the rollout area and when a connection will be available.

The open-air exhibition by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) on Postplatz commemorates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. It takes visitors back to 1949 through 75 locations in East and West Germany, North and South. Some of these sites are now marked by memorials or monuments, while others are no longer recognizable. Photographs and designer Alexander Kupsch's photomontages, created from historical and contemporary images of these same locations, transport viewers from the present day back to the founding days of the two German states. These 75 stories—researched and written by historian Elke Kimmel—deal with events characteristic of the post-war era.

The European City of GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH (EGZ) and the Görlitz for Families association have joined forces to form the "Welcome Team." Their goal is to support companies in recruiting international professionals, ease the arrival of new employees in the city, and position Görlitz as an open and welcoming city. The initiative is accompanied by trilingual communication to welcome newcomers to Görlitz. A practical example of the materials being distributed is the residents' registration office, where posters, a roll-up banner, and numerous postcards have been displayed.

The Görlitz Municipal Hospital has received approximately €1.76 million in funding to purchase a state-of-the-art surgical robot for spinal surgery. This investment, made possible through structural change funds, will increase the precision of procedures, enhance the hospital's attractiveness as an employer, and improve the quality of treatment through minimally invasive techniques. In addition to greater precision and flexibility for surgeons, the system potentially enables less invasive operations.

The Free State of Saxony is responding to the teacher shortage in Upper Lusatia with a new, innovative study program. Specifically, a joint degree program for "Teacher Training for Secondary Schools with Special Education" will be offered by the University of Leipzig and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences at the Zittau/Görlitz campuses by the winter semester of 2025/26. This new program combines teacher training for secondary schools with an additional subject specializing in learning disabilities.

Görlitz and Zittau are now entitled to use the title "University City," thus honoring the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, which has existed since 1992. It stands for studies with exciting research projects, modern laboratories and technical equipment, short distances, an excellent student-to-faculty ratio, international exchange, and a charming region where rents are affordable.

Görlitz has received a grant of €12 million from the Free State of Saxony for the construction of a new two-stream secondary school on the former slaughterhouse site by 2028. The building, which will incorporate the existing building at Rauschwalder Straße 73, is expected to cost €28.5 million. The city of Görlitz will finance its share of approximately €16.5 million largely through a loan.

The European City of GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH (EGZ) is presenting sustainability projects from various municipal stakeholders on a new website. Designed as a blog, www.zukunft-goerlitz.de serves as a central information platform showcasing ongoing, completed, and planned projects in the city. Its primary goal is to create transparency regarding the current process, initiatives, results achieved, and the participating stakeholders, and to connect them. The website's sections are aligned with the action areas outlined in the climate neutrality guidelines.

The German Center for Astrophysics (DZA) has officially opened its interim location in the historic post office building on Postplatz in Görlitz. The temporary premises, spread over two floors, provide workspaces for the first approximately 100 employees of the large-scale research center currently under development.

The Free State of Saxony is funding the construction of the new Geriatric Center at the Görlitz Municipal Hospital with €23.5 million. With a total investment of approximately €30 million, modern facilities with 60 inpatient beds, 20 day-clinic places, and barrier-free therapy areas are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

At the first multi-professional prevention conference at Haus Wartburg, employees from the city and district administration, the police directorate, the federal police, and civil society dealt with various topics in a World Café format:

"Public space - we shape it and move within it"
"Increasing the visibility of our prevention work"
"Education is prevention"
"Democratic action - needed across the board"

The results will be incorporated into the work of the Görlitz Municipal Prevention Council.

Görlitz has been certified as a "family-friendly holiday destination" in Saxony. The award from the Tourism Marketing Company Saxony (TMGS) recognizes the city for its child-friendly infrastructure, certified playgrounds, child-friendly accommodations, and exciting leisure activities such as the nature conservation zoo. The certification required meeting strict quality standards, including child-friendly restaurants, accommodations, tourist attractions, and overall design. Görlitz thus underscores its position as an attractive travel destination for families.

Approximately €6.2 million from the Free State of Saxony and the city of Görlitz was invested in the renovation of the Königshufen primary school, which has now been completed. In addition to energy efficiency improvements and various soundproofing measures, the basement was waterproofed, the cafeteria was renovated, and as many wishes as possible were fulfilled within the budget. For example, there are now seating blocks for an outdoor classroom in the schoolyard, and the courtyards have been landscaped with greenery.

A team from the consumer advice center is now serving customers at Demianiplatz 8. The new competence and cooperation center addresses various topics such as energy consulting, insurance, long-term care planning, consumer law advice, financial advice, and educational programs for all ages. In addition, services from the White Ring (a victim support organization), the Görlitz police department, the adult education center, and the tenants' association are also available.

The city of Görlitz and Deutsche Telekom have signed an agreement for the comprehensive expansion of the fiber optic network. The goal of this cooperation is to connect large parts of Görlitz to direct fiber optic connections (FTTH - Fiber to the Home) by 2027. Construction began in the first districts in the summer/autumn of 2023, with completion targeted for 2027. Telekom is laying fiber optic cables directly into buildings (FTTH) and is committed to providing comprehensive coverage throughout the city.

The city of Görlitz has received a grant of €8.8 million from the ERDF program "Sustainable Integrated Urban Development 2021-2027". The funds will primarily be used to revitalize the city center-west and southern districts, including projects such as a skate park, the professional fire brigade, and the renovation of the Cottbuser Straße gymnasium. 

With the new fire station in the city center, the volunteer fire departments of the city center and Klingewalde now have a joint and modern operational location at Cottbuser Straße 14, costing around three million euros, for the areas of the city center, the old town and the Nikolaivorstadt district, as well as the districts of Südstadt, Biesnitz, Rauschwalde, Königshufen and Klingewalde.

A new rest area for cyclists has been installed directly on the Neisse Cycle Path at the old brickworks in Klingewalde. Seating, tables, and bicycle racks have been installed, serving as a meeting place for both cyclists and local residents. The rest area and the paving of the Oder-Neisse Cycle Path between Klingewalde and the motorway were made possible by a 100% grant from the Federal Ministry of Transport. The rest area (planning and construction) cost €255,000, and the paved cycle path cost €329,000.

With the reopening of the Blockhaus Bridge, built in 1870, an important traffic artery between the southern part of the city and the city center is back in operation after approximately two years of construction. In addition to the City of Görlitz and DB Netz AG, the Görlitz municipal utilities and the Free State of Saxony also participated in the project. The newly constructed Blockhausstraße extends for a length of about 160 meters. To facilitate the electrification of the railway line between the Polish and German rail networks, the clearance height was increased to 6.20 meters. The total cost amounted to approximately €5.56 million, of which around €1.7 million came from subsidies provided by the Free State of Saxony.

Hans-Jürgen "Dixie" Dörner, a native of Görlitz and a football legend at Dynamo Dresden, was honored after his death by having a street named "Dixie-Dörner-Weg" (Dixie Dörner Way) at the "Stadion der Freundschaft" (Stadium of Friendship). The city council followed the recommendation of the Weinhübel citizens' council.

The Free State of Saxony is funding the comprehensive renovation of the "Mira Lobe" special education center in Görlitz with €4.2 million. The total investment of approximately €7.4 million includes energy-efficient upgrades, new specialist classrooms, a cafeteria, and modern plumbing and electrical installations to create optimal learning conditions for children with disabilities at the Windmühlenweg location.

The European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec celebrated the 25th anniversary of its proclamation and German-Polish cooperation with a civic festival. A diverse program at the foot of the Old Town Bridge included stage shows, a club fair, and culinary specialties to honor the cross-border partnership, which has existed since 1998.

Shlomo Graber was awarded honorary citizenship of the city of Görlitz in recognition of his courage and commitment. He himself experienced and survived much horror during the Holocaust in his youth and lost dozens of family members in concentration camps. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to coming to terms with the Nazi past and to reconciliation.

The new Kidron Valley Bridge in Görlitz has been opened to traffic. The steel structure replaces the old wooden bridge and serves pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It had previously been temporarily used for pedestrian traffic at the Blockhaus Bridge construction site and could therefore be built with public funding. The city's share of the costs amounted to €300,000.

Construction Future Lab gGmbH, a subsidiary of the Technical University of Dresden, focuses on the digital future of construction and has received a grant of €9.1 million from the Free State of Saxony for the first sub-project. A total of €15.3 million from the Investment Act for Coal Regions is earmarked for the overall project. The Construction Future Lab in Görlitz will create an interdisciplinary application, development, and testing environment for construction and construction machinery technologies. In particular, digitalization technologies will be investigated and further developed on a real-world scale. Furthermore, the establishment of a platform for flexible and targeted research and development activities is planned, where researchers, developers, entrepreneurs, investors, and other interested parties can implement, test, and demonstrate their ideas and products in an inspiring environment.

With the topping-out ceremony for the new research campus of the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, the new campus on Bahnhofstrasse is now clearly visible. Under the direction of the Saxon State Real Estate and Construction Management Agency, a new building complex has been under construction there since autumn 2020. The new Senckenberg campus encompasses over 8,000 square meters of usable space and will house the collections and laboratories of the research departments of soil zoology, zoology, and botany. More than 140 researchers, students, and technical staff will find a modern working environment optimally tailored to their needs. These staff members are currently spread across seven buildings in Görlitz's city center. The museum itself will not relocate and will remain at its current location on Marienplatz in Görlitz.

The German federal government, the Free State of Saxony, and Deutsche Bahn are investing €33.5 million in the renovation of the platform hall at Görlitz station. This involves completely encasing the facade and tracks 12 and 13. The steel girders will be sandblasted, partially reinforced with additional support components, and treated with corrosion protection. Following this, new, handcrafted glass panels covering an area of ​​1,250 square meters will be installed in the facade. A large "Görlitz" inscription and the city's coat of arms will be integrated into the southern facade. The new southern facade of the platform hall is scheduled for completion in 2027. After this phase of construction is finished, work will shift to platform 9/10. Finally, work will be carried out on the roof and facade of tracks 7/8. The platform hall is expected to be fully renovated and shine in its new splendor by 2029. Görlitz station is an important rail hub for passenger traffic between Germany and Poland. Deutsche Bahn is therefore also renovating the former platform 3/4 and making it accessible for people with disabilities. Experts are renewing the two adjacent tracks and installing overhead lines all the way to the German-Polish border. This will allow trains from Poland to enter Germany electrically. DB is thus closing the electrification gap between the station and the German-Polish border, connecting the twin cities of Görlitz and Zgorzelec across the border. This project is the first step towards the complete electrification of Görlitz station and the expansion of the Görlitz–Cottbus line.

A modern new daycare center with 80 daycare and 40 nursery places as well as 3600 square meters of outdoor area has been built in the southern part of Görlitz for 5.6 million euros and has now been handed over to its purpose.

33 million euros in funding have been secured for the new, accessible trams. This represents 90 percent of the 36.8 million euros that the eight new Görlitz trams will cost. However, this is only about half of the money the GVB (Görlitz Transport Authority) will receive from the coal phase-out: a total of 67 million euros. The other half will not go towards the new trams, but rather towards infrastructure improvements.

With city bus line A, residents of Görlitz and Zgorzelec can now travel conveniently and directly from one part of the European city to the other. The European City Ticket allows cross-border use of public transport between Görlitz and Zgorzelec. It is valid for buses and trams in both cities, promoting tourism and the integration of the European city.

Jochmannstraße was renovated over a length of 226 meters for €630,000. One-third of the cost was financed by the city of Görlitz, and two-thirds through subsidies from the federal government and the Free State of Saxony. The municipal utilities renewed all pipes and cables, while the city of Görlitz was responsible for the complete reconstruction and renewal of the roadway, sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas.

The Lausitz and Central German Mining Administration Company (LMBV) has handed over a new multi-purpose boat (MZB) including a transport trailer to the Görlitz professional fire brigade for use on Lake Berzdorf. The multi-purpose boat is 7.40 meters long and is designed for rescue operations and assistance on Lake Berzdorf. The procurement was carried out as a measure under Section 4 of the Administrative Agreement on Lignite Mine Remediation. 

The decision has been made in the competition "Knowledge Creates Perspectives for the Region": The German Center for Astrophysics – Research. Technology. Digitalization. (DZA) will be located in Görlitz. The DZA will establish a major research center with international appeal, promoting resource-efficient digitalization, developing new technologies, facilitating knowledge transfer, and creating opportunities for the region. The DZA is a joint initiative of astronomy and astroparticle physics in Germany. The applicants include many renowned scientists supported by major German scientific organizations.

At the German-Polish city council meeting, it was decided to introduce a European City Ticket for cross-border use of public transport between Görlitz and Zgorzelec. It will be valid for buses and trains in both parts of the city. In addition, Görlitz city bus line A will also serve Zgorzelec, crossing the border.

Wheelchair users and people with walking difficulties can now more easily access the large funeral hall of the Görlitz crematorium, built in 1913, via a glass and steel elevator. The crematorium is previously accessed via an external staircase with 23 steps. The €210,000 construction costs were financed through €80,000 in funding from the Saxon Development Bank, €10,000 from the city of Görlitz, and €100,000 from the municipal cemetery's own funds.

Approximately one year after the opening of the Görlitz Synagogue Cultural Forum, a Star of David was installed on its dome. The 600-kilogram star, made of gray steel, measures 5.20 meters high and 1.60 meters wide. The original star had been removed after the synagogue's destruction during Kristallnacht in 1938. Its re-erection was approved by the Görlitz City Council on September 24, 2020, at the initiative of the city administration, and financed by 25 donations totaling approximately €81,000.

The new tree protection ordinance of the city of Görlitz serves to protect the city's trees and aligns local law with the Saxon Nature Conservation Act. Generally, according to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, felling trees is prohibited between March 1st and September 30th to protect nesting birds. The new version was presented and adopted to more effectively safeguard the city's green spaces.

A bicycle station has opened at Görlitz train station. Located in the pedestrian tunnel leading to the south exit, it offers more than 30 parking spaces, a repair station (a repair column with tools), and a tire inflation machine. The total cost was €207,000. Of this, approximately €100,000 came from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the railway company invested around €67,000, and the city of Görlitz contributed €30,000.

The Görlitz district of Schlauroth is delighted with its new community center. Built to replace the old village hall, it is centrally located by the pond in the heart of the village. The building serves as the new hub of village life, a meeting place for residents, and a venue for events. The project was realized by the Schlauroth Local History Association and the City of Görlitz. Funding for the building also came from the Free State of Saxony's lump-sum law.

The city of Görlitz has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable municipal development by signing the Charter for Sustainability. With this signature, Görlitz welcomes the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The signing has informed the development of a comprehensive sustainability strategy for Görlitz, which includes topics such as climate protection, sustainable mobility, and social justice.

The city councils of Görlitz and Zgorzelec have signed letters of intent to intensify cross-border public transport and to expedite the construction of another bridge over the Neisse River. These measures are intended to strengthen the integration of the European city and improve traffic flow.

The city of Görlitz conducted a large-scale flood protection exercise to test its new mobile flood barrier. The exercise was led by the professional fire brigade and supported by the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) and the Red Cross. The aim of the exercise was to install and test more than 400 meters of the flood protection barrier under realistic conditions along the Neisse River in the old town area.

With the start of construction on the extension to the locomotive shed at the Görlitz vintage park railway, the conditions are being created for more space for the railway's historic vehicles. Furthermore, the possibilities for weatherproof storage will improve. The old locomotive shed had become too small, especially after the park railway received a new, historic battery-powered train.

After five months of construction, the modern entrance building of the Görlitz-Zgorzelec Nature Conservation Zoo has been opened. It offers barrier-free access, a light-flooded foyer with newly designed ticket counters, and a spacious shop area, significantly improving visitor services.

A modern new daycare center with 80 daycare and 40 nursery places, as well as 3600 square meters of outdoor space, is taking shape. It is being built in the southern part of Görlitz for 5.6 million euros and will replace, among other things, the outdated "Südstadtmäuse" daycare center on Arndtstrasse.

Brautwiesenpark, a park and play area for the western part of the city center, was created on approximately 1.7 hectares at a cost of around €1.5 million. The urban park, located on the site of the former freight depot, was funded with approximately €1.2 million in EU funds.

With the fundamental decision to renovate Elisabethplatz, the western part of the square will be refurbished after approximately 100 years. Featuring 46 new trees planted in double rows and irrigated via an underground cistern system, the square will once again be a welcoming place for shopping, relaxing, and celebrating after the €1.7 million renovation.

The revised statutes on civic participation will further improve the integration of citizens into decision-making processes. The aim is to utilize new input from the public through transparency, information, and dialogue, and to make the work of the administration more citizen-oriented. 

The Görlitz/Zgorzelec Tourist Information Center at Obermarkt 32 has reopened after a three-month renovation. The renovation aimed to modernize the facilities, improve services, and make the premises more functional. The rooms were furnished with new furniture and the design updated to meet the requirements of a contemporary tourist information center. New options for displaying information and maps were also created, including a large screen for showing current events. A central table in the room facilitates better customer service.

A new fire station is being built on Cottbuser Straße for around three million euros. In the future, the city center and Klingewalde fire departments will share a modern, joint station here, operating as the "Inner City Fire Department," serving the city center, the old town, the Nikolaivorstadt district, and the districts of Südstadt, Biesnitz, Rauschwalde, Königshufen, and Klingewalde.

The "Görlitz Public Transport Model City" project in the city of Görlitz represents innovative solutions and modern infrastructure. In connection with the development of a new generation of accessible trams, the entire public transport system of the city on the Neisse River is being made fit for the future. The "Görlitz Public Transport Model City" project plays a key role in achieving the goal of "Climate Neutrality Görlitz 2030".

With the laying of its foundation stone, the Senckenberg Campus is taking shape on Bahnhofstrasse in Görlitz. It will encompass 8,300 square meters of usable space and will house the collections and laboratories of the research focus areas of zoology, geology, and botany. These are currently spread across several buildings in Görlitz's city center. Research and administrative buildings, workshops, and a publicly accessible library will also be located on the site.

After years of extensive and costly renovations, the Görlitz Synagogue Cultural Forum was officially opened. The building has been secured and renovated since the early 1990s at a cost of approximately €12.6 million. The Görlitz Synagogue Cultural Forum will serve as an event center. With the already established weekday synagogue, Jewish citizens also have the opportunity to practice their faith there.

A modern new daycare center with 80 daycare and 40 nursery places as well as 3600 square meters of outdoor area is being built in the southern part of Görlitz after the groundbreaking ceremony, at a cost of 5.6 million euros.

Optimal conditions for lifeguards were created by the city of Görlitz and the Lausitz and Central German Mining Management Company (LMBV) with the construction of the lifeguard station on the north shore of Lake Berzdorf within two years. The total costs for planning and construction amounted to approximately €600,000 in external services. The Free State of Saxony covered 80 percent of the costs, and the city of Görlitz covered 20 percent.

The film office serves as a central point of contact for film productions made in Görlitz. It supports local film crews and promotes networking. Located within Europastadt GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH, it coordinates and provides insider knowledge for all aspects of film productions in Görlitz.

In remembrance of the importance of the Peaceful Revolution, the square next to the Frauenkirche, the site of the first peace prayer in Görlitz, was named Platz der Friedender Revolution (Peaceful Revolution Square) following a city council proposal.

Görlitz/Zgorzelec rightly bears the title of European City. Here, Europe is not only lived, but above all actively shaped. Görlitz is committed to this through its city partnerships with Amiens (France), Molfetta (Italy), Novy Jicin (Czech Republic), Wiesbaden, and Zgorzelec (Republic of Poland). The city partnership with Wiesbaden, which has lasted for more than 30 years, continues to thrive through encounters between people: exchanges between schoolchildren, young people, and students, citizen trips, cultural exchanges, competitions between sports clubs, contacts between companies and public administrations, and individual travel.

The Rabryka, a center for youth and socio-culture, has been created in the former veneer hall of the Görlitz Plant I at a cost of 4.4 million euros. The barrier-free building, with its diverse event formats and spaces, is increasingly becoming a meeting place for all generations.

Funding amounting to 8.6 million euros for the city and district of Görlitz enables the implementation of the "Digital Pact for Schools" in the form of the construction and improvement of digital technical infrastructure as well as the teaching and learning infrastructure at schools.

Königshufen Primary School and the "Mira Lobe" Special Education Center are undergoing fire safety upgrades, meaning they will be equipped with modern fire protection measures. These measures are a precursor to the renovation of both schools.

The European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec is embarking on the path to a cross-border, climate-neutral district heating supply by signing a "Letter of Intent" between the two mayors.

With the opening of the "Walk of Görliwood®", the city of Görlitz once again presents itself as an important filming location ("Görliwood"). It consists of specially designed shop windows that offer insights into film productions such as "The Grand Budapest Hotel", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" or "The House of Dreams".

After two years of construction, the new Emil von Schenckendorff sports hall can be inaugurated. The construction of the more than 1000 square meter hall next to the Jägerkaserne barracks cost 8.7 million euros.

The new rules of procedure for the city council stipulate that meeting documents will be published one week in advance and that there will generally be a public question period for citizens at every city council meeting.

The newly redesigned Postplatz, costing €3.6 million, will be inaugurated on October 6th, the municipal memorial day. Construction was completed three months ahead of schedule. Two million euros in subsidies were used for the renovation.

The German-Polish research institute CASUS, funded by the federal government and the Free State of Saxony, will become a permanent part of the scientific landscape in Görlitz with the official handover of the keys at the Untermarkt. It unites methods from mathematics, systems theory, scientific computing, and data science at a single location to rethink data-intensive systems research across disciplines.

"Fabian or Going to the Dogs" was one of the most extensive film shoots in Görlitz in recent years, and it received several awards. The film won the German Film Award in 2021 in the categories of "Best Cinematography," "Best Editing," and "Best Feature Film" (Silver "Lola"). "Fabian," based on the novel by Erich Kästner, had its world premiere in competition at the 2021 Berlinale.