The tension is building in Hagen. The climate between the administration, politicians and citizens is tense and trust is eroding, at least that is the diagnosis of the Hagen Business Council. And these are not just empty words, as conflicts are increasingly ending up in court, where protracted proceedings and hardened fronts take the place of understanding and compromise. There is a tried and tested way to promote dialog instead of confrontation – mediation. The Business Council is therefore now making a clear demand: Hagen needs a mediator to restore peace to the city.
Alienation instead of inclusion
The criticism is not coming from outside, but from within the local business community. The Hagen Business Council, an association of around 100 entrepreneurs from the region, is sounding the alarm. In several surveys, both its own and those conducted by independent bodies, it became clear that the local business community and many citizens no longer perceive themselves as partners of the city. Decisions are increasingly being made over their heads, participation processes seem half-hearted or purely formal. The most recent case concerning the redevelopment of Hüttenbergstrasse is symptomatic of this.
Although this road was built 58 years ago, the city of Hagen considers the measure to be a so-called “initial development” with far-reaching consequences: The residents should bear the costs. When they proposed an out-of-court solution, the city rejected the request. Instead of a willingness to compromise, the decision was made to go to court. “This shows once again that citizen-oriented behavior is not exactly one of the administration’s priorities,” sums up Winfried Bahn, spokesperson for the Business Council.
Mediation instead of escalation
There is a clear and constructive alternative to the legal battle: mediation. The Business Council is therefore once again calling for the establishment of an arbitration board. A proposal that was already anchored in the body’s values and strategy compass in 2017. The aim is to appoint a neutral third party – a mediator – to mediate between the administration and citizens. This would not only avoid legal disputes, but would also help to regain the trust that had been lost.
A mediator is not a judge, but a mediator. They bring the parties to the table, ensure a fair exchange of interests and help to develop viable solutions. Particularly in complex or emotionally charged conflicts, this can be crucial in breaking deadlocks and restoring the ability to talk. The fact that the city has so far resisted such a procedure raises questions. Especially as mediation is not only more consensus-oriented, but often also quicker and cheaper than legal action.
Opportunity for a new culture of debate
What Hagen is currently experiencing is not an isolated case. Many cities are facing the challenge of not just promising citizen participation, but actively practicing it. In times of growing skepticism towards state institutions, it is more important than ever to listen seriously, act transparently and approach conflicts in a solution-oriented manner. A mediator could not only act as a bridge builder here, but also as a symbol of a new attitude: away from the administration as an authority and towards the municipality as a community.
This would also have clear advantages for the administration itself. Legal departments could be relieved, procedures accelerated and relationships strengthened. And at a political level, mediation would also provide a platform to prevent escalations before they have a lasting impact on public discourse and trust.
Now is the right time
The Business Council’s demand is more than just an appeal. It is an invitation to reconsider the basic values of communal coexistence. Mediation stands for understanding, for eye level, for respect. Especially in a city like Hagen, which is facing major economic and social challenges, it can become a driving force for a new way of living together. Urban peace does not begin in the courtroom, but at the negotiating table.
In cities and municipalities facing major economic, social and political challenges, dialog can be directly supported and promoted under the guidance of an experienced mediator.
