Individual measures of this 3-pillar model can already be quantified, but this is not yet the case for others. It has therefore been agreed that the amounts mentioned in the three pillars are eligible for cover and that the specific funding requirements will be reviewed annually - for the first time on June 30, 2020 - and, if necessary, redistributed within the pillars. The city council intends to adopt the concept on October 29, 2019.

Investments are planned in the areas of "education and social integration", "urban development needs" and "economic structural change".

The plan is to build two new elementary school, triggered by the enormous and rapid increase in pupil numbers due to the unpredictable influx of new residents. Two old school buildings from the end of the 19th century are to be replaced. Modern teaching is hardly possible here and refurbishment would not be economical. Furthermore, as a result of the unpredictable influx, three new daycare centers will have to be built in order to reduce the current shortfall of almost 400 kindergarten places and more than 300 crèche places. The city is contributing to the costs of these urgently needed investment measures, which at around 24 million euros would already consume almost half of the structural aid program, with its own budget funds through asset sales amounting to 8 million euros.

Investments in urban development projects are expected to cost around 19 million euros. By exercising its right of first refusal or through negotiations, the city administration plans to take privately rented apartments, some of which are in a desolate condition, off the market, renovate them or redevelop them after demolition in order to offer attractive and affordable housing. Run-down and vacant apartments should no longer characterize the cityscape in individual districts and serve as a "loss leader"."The oversupply of cheap, dilapidated housing is still encouraging the influx of economically weak population groups and Eastern Europeans with all the subsequent challenges to an extent that our urban society can no longer cope with," says Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel. The elimination of urgent urban development problems is a very important objective.

The third pillar, which stands for economic structural change, is to be underpinned with around 7 million euros. As the third largest industrial location in Lower Saxony, Salzgitter wants to further sharpen its profile and become a nucleus for innovative technology and industrial projects. Thanks to important local players, Salzgitter can play a pioneering role in achieving Germany's ambitious environmental and climate targets. Examples of this include VW's electromobility offensive, Salzgitter AG's Salcos project and the hydrogen-powered Coradia iLint train from Alstom, MAN and Bosch. Many important local players are united behind the common goal of working towards CO2-neutral industrial processes. As hydrogen from green electricity can be a 100% CO2-free energy source, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, Linde AG and Avacon Natur GmbH, for example, have signed a cooperation agreement on the joint innovation project "Wind Hydrogen Salzgitter", thus taking a significant step towards a hydrogen-based industry.

"I am very pleased that the city, with the active support of the Braunschweig Regional Development Office, has succeeded in bringing many important players on board to jointly drive forward the necessary industrial transformation process," said Minister President Stephan Weil. "Salzgitter is therefore well on the way to positioning itself as an important location for innovative, forward-looking and, in particular, ecologically compatible economic projects throughout Germany and Europe and to consistently developing them further."

In close cooperation with the state of Lower Saxony, with the local business enterprises and with scientific support, an overall concept is being developed that stands for the transformation process, accompanies technological change, strengthens the potential of the location and creates jobs.

Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel: "The establishment of a "Competence and Start-up Center for Hydrogen Technology and Alternative Drive Technologies" would be an important, sustainable and innovative step and could be implemented with the help of the structural program. The permanent bundling and networking of regional research and development activities in the field of sustainable low-CO2 mobility, including vehicle production, use and recycling, could generate synergies that would benefit not only Salzgitter, but the whole of Lower Saxony."

Minister President Stephan Weil and Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel agree that the state's structural aid will not solve all of the city's problems immediately, but that it will help Salzgitter make decisive progress and open up positive prospects for the city's development.