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A parliamentary inquiry addresses the potential impact of outdated development plans on urban development
Darmstadt, July 22, 2025 Marie Guerdan the FDP parliamentary group's spokesperson for construction policy in the city council, has submitted a minor inquiry regarding the planning regulations for gastronomic uses in Darmstadt's Johannesviertel district. Specifically, the inquiry concerns a provision in development plan N1 from 1988, according to which restaurants and bars are generally prohibited in the district.
Gastronomy as an economic and social anchor
“Back then, the aim was apparently to prevent an overabundance of restaurants in order to safeguard urban planning goals,” said Guerdan. “Today, the situation is completely different: many restaurants are fighting for survival. The city needs restaurants not only as a social anchor, but also as an economic one.”
Guerdan refers to a recent survey by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA), according to which a third of businesses (33.5 percent) expect losses in 2025. Rising costs, the return to full VAT, and declining sales are cited as the main reasons.
Concern about structural depopulation
Guerdan warns that outdated zoning plans could hinder modern concepts : “Young and flexible businesses will hardly find suitable premises if new locations are excluded by rigid regulations. Without more planning flexibility, structural decline is imminent – at the latest when existing businesses are forced to close.”
Questions for the Magistrate
In its parliamentary inquiry, the FDP asks, among other things, the following questions:
- Does the city council intend to review or extend the restrictions on restaurants in the Johannesviertel district?
- Are similar restrictions in place in other parts of the city? If so, where, when were they implemented, and what was their purpose?
- What options exist for repurposing a space when an existing restaurant closes permanently?
The FDP demands that urban development be more closely aligned with current needs. Planning instruments must be regularly reviewed for their appropriateness – especially in times of economic uncertainty.
(RED/FDP)
