State funding for town centre development in Bocholt-Suderwick

A distinguished visitor from Düsseldorf: Silke Gorißen, Minister for Agriculture and Consumer Protection for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, visited the town of Bocholt today, Wednesday. The occasion for the visit was the symbolic handover of funding approval notices totalling 500,000 euros for the redevelopment of Suderwick's town centre. This reaffirms the state's support for the urban and environmental regeneration of this district, which lies close to the border.

Although the official grant approval notices from the state programme "Structural and Rural Development NRW" had already been presented to the town council in July by Münster's District President Andreas Bothe; however, the Minister's visit today underlines the supra-regional significance of the project for the rural and cross-border area. With the approved sum, Bocholt is set to receive the highest level of funding in the entire Münster administrative district this year. The funds will be allocated in equal parts to the complete refurbishment of the western section of Sporker Straße and to the modernisation of Suderwick village square.

"Rural areas in North Rhine-Westphalia are the centre of life and home for many people. The state government is investing again this year in the long-term viability of villages so that they remain liveable and attractive - as is the case in Westmünsterland", explains Minister Silke Gorißen. 

The project is part of the Town Centre Development Concept (OKEK), through which Bocholt aims to significantly enhance the appearance and quality of life in the town centre. At the same time, the area is being adapted to the challenges of climate change. In addition to reducing sealed surfaces, the plans include climate-adapted new plantings and additional green spaces that promote community life in the village and provide space for people to meet.

A key element of the planning is the close spatial and functional integration with the directly adjacent Dutch neighbouring municipality of Dinxperlo. "Suderwick and Dinxperlo have been living as neighbours across borders quite naturally for many decades", according to Bocholt's mayor, Christian Mangen, "the fact that this close bond is now also becoming visible in urban planning terms through a coordinated, harmonious design of squares and streets gives the entire border region new impetus."

Bocholt's plans tie in directly with the local project "'Centrumsvisie Dinxperlo'" and the redevelopment of the shared Hellweg. With coordinated design elements, including red clinker paving and interconnected seating areas, the long-standing bond between the two towns is to be reflected in the streetscape, without neglecting Suderwick's distinct character. The local authority consulted the public on the plans in advance at a public information event. In the spring, local associations were asked for their views so that the needs of village life could be taken into account as fully as possible, thereby helping to further develop the plans. Construction work on the project is scheduled for 2027 and 2028. In total, the town is investing around 3.2 million euros in the enhancement - supported by funding from the NRW programme "Structural and Village Development%$.