Note for all following texts of the DP program:
The following ideas are all possible for people with disabilities or limited movement.
FAMILIES
Being a parent is not always easy, it is a job we did not learn. In order to support interested parents, the DP will set up the following services here in the community:
“Parents’ School”.
In the parenting school, mothers and fathers can get information on their personal questions or concerns about raising children, child development, talking to children at different ages and other issues. Trained staff organize courses or meetings for parents or grandparents to support parenting.
Parents’ Café.
At regular intervals, single parents, parents or parents-to-be get together in a cozy place to exchange ideas. While being together, with or without children, thoughts are exchanged and new contacts are made. Many difficulties of parenthood are solved in this way.
Women’s meeting.
As DP we will offer a meeting place for women of all ages.
This has the following benefit: Exchange among women, so that the life experience of the older fellow citizens is also used. It will be a place for retreat from everyday life, for relaxation, be it reading or in the community, for common leisure activities. Through these meetings of the women involved, loneliness will be reduced, social contact will be promoted and new friendships can develop. A meeting place where women can find an undisturbed place to stay, whether for a few minutes or longer.
CHILDREN
Playgrounds.
Modern and diverse, a community never has too much. They should be available at different parts of the village (Steinsel, Heisdorf, Müllendorf).
Benches and tables.
Along pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes and on playgrounds, benches are not only useful for resting, but also promote interpersonal contact, a very significant factor for us as DP.
The Youth Community Council is being developed.
Our future electorate should also have the opportunity to learn how the municipality works and what it is like to express opinions. A mandatory participation of the youth representatives in issues that affect the youth is indispensable.
Babysitting classes.
They are offered if there is demand.
The day care center.
It takes an important part in childcare. However, it cannot be that 50 children in our community are waiting for a free place for the day care center. A solution must be found as soon as possible so that all requests are considered.
MEETING PLACES FOR YOUTH
It is indispensable for us to provide young people and adolescents with a place of their own.
Youth pitches.
Youth areas are being created which can also be reached by car. We equip them with proper seating, tables, plenty of litter bins and a picnic area. Being among friends is always important. It goes without saying that visits to these meeting places will be limited in time so as not to disturb the night’s rest of the inhabitants.
The Youth House.
Under the direction of the Croix-Rouge, the youth center of the Steinsel municipality offers numerous activities. We will support this institution, as many young people find an important place to spend their free time there.
“Steesel Beach.
During the summer months, residents and their friends can get together at a specially set up place. Interested village clubs are offered the opportunity to barbecue and sell drinks here. For the DP, this offers another opportunity for a cozy get-together. Some communities have already implemented such projects.
Graffiti space remains an issue.
The DP will organize graffiti weekends. Under professional guidance, all those interested can join in and display their pictures along the paths or in parks. This forms a creative change for all of us.
Promoting local clubs and associations.
We will continue to support the associations, also financially, because the voluntary work of those responsible is vital for an attractive community life. A place without clubs is lifeless and has a detrimental effect on our social life.
EDUCATION
The foreign language.
It forms an important link between people.
The Jumelage connections.
With the DP, town twinning is revived and expanded. In this way, new contacts to other cultures as well as to a foreign language are formed, in exchanges and visits, thus enriching everyone involved.
The travel of school classes within Luxembourg.
A few days at a lake or in a youth hostel here in the country, combined with excursions and historical or local information, helps our school children to get to know the country they live in better.
Computer courses.
The DP will introduce courses for all residents so that everyone will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the world of information technology.
Communication, mediation, meditation.
We will introduce concepts in these areas as pilot projects.
SENIOR CITIZENS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Mobile offers.
This service, e.g. from the baker, grocer, “Superdreckskëscht”, etc., is offered to residents who have problems leaving the house. They can make use of these services by registering.
The “Poterkëscht” or “Café des Langues”.
These meetings are open to every resident. On this occasion, residents are given the opportunity to learn our national language, Luxembourgish. This helps to simplify our life together.
An “antigaspi” (anti-waste) municipality.
The waste of leftover food cannot leave our society cold. We will recycle food that is still good and usable, e.g. from school canteens, or pass it on to organizations in need. There is also the possibility of offering these food portions at a reduced rate at a place planned for this purpose.
Age group over 60.
Older community residents will find a wide range of cultural and sporting leisure activities in our community. The “Uelzechtdall” club, to which the municipality of Steinsel is also affiliated, is supported, as are all other associations that target this age group.
“Gutt Wunnen”.
An initiative founded in 2022 between the Steinsel/Lorentzweiler Social Welfare Office and the Mersch Social Welfare Office (Mersch, Lintgen, Helperknapp, Bissen) aims to manage the 60 social housing units it owns, as well as to integrate vacant flats offered by private individuals into its offer and to rent them out at a reasonable price. The social office of the Steinsel municipality will provide support.
LIVING A PLEASANT AND ENJOYABLE LIFE IN OUR SOCIETY
A clean and safe community is important to us. Our pavements and meadows, both public and private, must remain clean.
“Owesmaart.
At regular intervals, an “Owesmaart” is offered to the residents after their work is done, this with local and regional products.
Dog runs and dog trails.
Fenced dog runs, equipped with a fountain, litter bags and bins, could be used as toilets by our faithful companions. A dog course is available for those who are interested.
By each dog owner taking his responsibility and disposing of the dog poop, arguments between citizens will be reduced and our coexistence will be more comfortable.
The mountain bike trail.
The DP will make it safer so that hikers and mountain bikers do not interfere with each other. On the usual hiking trails, every participant should make an effort to live together in good coexistence.
Soundproofed community buildings.
To ensure that all participants feel comfortable during activities and that acoustically good discussion rounds, lectures or concerts are possible, we as DP will optimally soundproof the community buildings.
SPORT
Multi-generational playground.
It brings adults and children together for sports and fun.
Safety at sporting events.
Anything which could obstruct road traffic must be constantly reconsidered and adapted, this with all parties involved (community leaders, associations, police, …). In this way, sources of danger can be recognized and prevented at an early stage and these activities can be carried out in a relaxed manner.
CULTURE
Music school.
The music school as well as the UGDA courses will continue to be available to all interested parties, this through the commitment of the teachers involved.
“Art à l’Ecole.
If there is demand, “Art à l’Ecole” will be expanded as a summer academy.
“Comité du Souvenir” – “Steeseler Duerfgeschicht”.
Many interesting memories can be found in our community. These are explained through lectures, photo exhibitions, guided tours by trained staff.
SAFE COMMUNITIES
The Steinsel DP is determined to ensure the safety, welfare and security of its citizens and believes that the local authority has an important role to play in achieving this. After careful consideration, the DP has identified the following areas for improvement.
Road safety.
Initially, traffic safety was identified as a major concern, as many residents reported poor conditions in residential areas and around schools. To address this issue, the DP proposes to implement additional measures such as dialogue signs indicating drivers’ speed, speed bumps and traffic islands to calm traffic and ensure that drivers adhere to speed limits.
Preventing domestic violence.
The DP recognizes the worrying rates of domestic violence in Luxembourg and advocates the setting-up of a local contact point offering help to victims of violence. The DP will run prevention campaigns designed to draw attention to violent behavior and various social care services available in that connection.
Protection against domestic burglaries.
Raising public awareness in the fight against domestic burglary is crucial, especially during periods of high activity such as holidays. Therefore, the DP believes that municipalities should play an active role in educating citizens on how to protect themselves.
New location for the fire brigade.
The DP’s objective is to relocate the fire brigade from its current location in the Steinsel school complex to a more strategic and accessible location. The DP proposes to work with CGDIS to select a suitable new location, considering options such as the Hortulux or Elterstrachen sites. Such a change of location would ensure that emergency services are easily accessible for affected citizens.
A municipal infrastructure geared to the future
MOBILITY
Our longstanding demands for sufficient parking facilities in the center of Steinsel have been met. Work has begun on an underground car park. The planned shared space in Steinsel will contribute to traffic calming and increase the quality of life.
We will develop a transport development plan for the whole municipality to enable a coordinated continuation in the field of mobility and transport.
This also includes charging infrastructures for e-cars, and expanding speed 30 zones where possible. Dialogue boards can provide valuable services here.
DP will buid bus shelters at bus stops where necessary.
Parking.
The maximum parking time in the public car parks should be between 1-3 hours to avoid unnecessary long-term parking.
We will introduce the already existing and popular parking app of Luxembourg City in Steinsel.
Security.
Safety on pedestrian paths, school paths, cycle paths is a priority for us, whereby e.g. adequate lighting is necessary.
Continue to expand the Vel’oh system.
We also advocate the expansion of the Vel’oh system in Steinsel, as well as sufficient bicycle parking spaces and bicycle boxes.
Bus navette and bus transport.
An important point for us is the creation of a bus line from Heisdorf station to Steinsel to make the use of train connections as attractive as possible.
We also see a need for action on night bus and train connections.
The municipality’s vehicle fleet will be equipped with sustainable vehicles as a priority for all new purchases.
We will continue to promote the call-bus model. We will provide the bus stops with digital display boards.
Indentations at bus stops make sense, especially in terms of safety for children. Unnecessary obstructions to traffic are also reduced.
PN18: Level crossing in Heisdorf.
This topic is an ongoing issue in our community. A good solution has not yet been found. We want to discuss the project again with all the authorities involved (CFL, Ponts et Chaussées, etc.) in order to examine the possibility of an underpass or overpass for cars. At the moment there is a plan for an underpass for bicycles and pedestrians, but it is not yet satisfactory. We definitely want to eliminate this danger point.
HOUSING
Fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
Together with our neighboring municipalities, we want to expand the welcome initiative of “Gutt Wunnen” into a housing office in order to be able to arrange affordable housing even better.
New housing projects should be implemented more quickly, with less bureaucracy and accelerated approval procedures.
Furthermore, we advocate building higher buildings. In doing so, we will not abandon our goal of a rural community structure. Smaller housing units could also be promoted, as far as compatible with the ideas of the future owners.
Temporary rentals to young residents, which enable them to build a secure livelihood, can also contribute to solving the problem. A time limit of 7 years would enable many young people to create their own reserves and thus the necessary prerequisite to become homeowners.
Affordable housing.
This remains a priority for us, e.g. multi-generation houses, youth housing, modular housing.
We will make the parking space requirement more flexible.
A sustainable community
NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Nature conservation and preservation of the natural habitat are our first priority.
The renaturation of the Alzette and the local recreation area.
We made this project our goal already 30 years. At the moment, things are finally moving in the right direction. We will combine the renaturation with the creation of a local recreation area, which will provide a variety of opportunities for meeting and recreation in the center of the municipality. Furthermore, we will use all options to include the renaturation in the preventive management of possible floods.
Recreation.
We will re-survey and expand the existing network of hiking trails. The mountain bike trails could be officially designated, made safer, and supplemented if possible.
Sources and environment.
We willrecycle and use our own sources as far as feasible.
We will generally promote the greening of the municipality for better soil protection and increased biodiversity.
Through sponsorships for public green spaces, new creative ideas can be implemented.
Rainwater and industrial water use are to be promoted.
Recycling center.
We will finally relocate the recycling area at the Müllendorf Alzette bridge. A partner project with the municipality of Walferdingen in the Steinsel industrial zone would be ideal. The current hurdles are solvable, but require a strong commitment.
ENERGY
Role model function.
The public sector must live up to its role model function in terms of renewable energies and energy efficiency and switch to corresponding technologies. The DP hopes that this will give a boost to the production and research of renewable energies.
We want to expand renewable energies in Steinsel, renovate municipal buildings for energy efficiency and increase energy efficiency. We also stand for the careful use of our natural resources. The DP will take the principles of the circular economy into account in all areas.
Expansion of climate-neutral electricity supply.
The DP will exploit to the maximum the potential for generatiing renewable energy in the municipality of Steinsel. All public buildings (municipal offices, schools, sports hall, etc.) should be supplied as quickly as possible with locally produced electricity. To that end, we will consistently expand the installation and use of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of municipal buildings. Any surpluses can, where appropriate, be sold and fed into the grid. In addition, we support in principle the setting-up of partnerships with local and regional energy cooperatives, driving forward the energy transition.
Making greater use of wind power.
There still exists in Luxembourg considerable growth potential as regards the development of wind power. Feasibility studies are currently carried out with the Soler company, which we will continue to support. We also want to investigate possible participation in regional wind farms and the construction of smaller wind turbines, e.g. on municipal roofs. This will be done in close consultation with the citizens, in order to take into account any possible concerns.
More light, less energy.
Street lighting is responsible for a significant share of electricity consumption. The DP wants to convert all municipal lighting to more energy-efficient LED technology as soon as possible and, if feasible, equip it with a dimmer function and motion sensors.
Modernising the vehicle fleet.
The DP supports climate-neutral driving in the municipalities and will gradually convert the municipal fleet to CO2-neutral vehicles.
Energy advice.
In addition to the national counselling centers, the DP will also expand counselling services for private households and businesses at the local level.
Also.
The DP will give greater importance to noise protection and give preference to the use of rainwater and industrial water instead of drinking water wherever possible.
The biogas plant on the Rommeschterhaff, which also processes the community’s green waste, produces a lot of waste heat. At the moment, this heat is lost. We want to investigate to what extent this energy can be used for heating purposes.
A modern and pleasant environment to live in
A digital, people-oriented and transparent municipality
Smart municipality.
The DP Steinsel aims to promote the concept of “smart city” and fully embrace the potential of connected urban living, while ensuring uncompromised data protection measures.
We recognize the value of digital learning platforms and their growing popularity as a convenient and accessible way for people to acquire new skills and knowledge. By introducing such platforms in our municipality, we aim to promote lifelong learning and provide our citizens with flexible learning opportunities such as language courses, courses on the use of new technologies, courses in arts and humanities, entrepreneurship courses, among others.
With on-demand access to educational content, citizens have the freedom learn at their own pace and convenience.
Recognizing that the municipality may not have kept up with the latest technological advancements, we propose the appointment of a digital manager within the local administration. This appointment will enable us to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology, enhance efficiency, transparency, and bridge the digital divide. Additionally, it will help us ensure that data protection and privacy are always prioritized.
Comprehensible, inclusive, and multilingual communication.
Our topmost priority is to ensure that all citizens, including those with disabilities, can access information and services provided by the local authority without any barriers. To achieve this goal, we will focus on developing inclusive webpages and smartphone applications that are accessible and user-friendly for everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
To make our webpage and smartphone applications more accessible in the future, we want to focus on the following:
- Accessibility: Our top priority is to ensure that our webpage and applications are easily accessible to everyone, including individuals with visual or physical disabilities. In order to achieve this, we will be incorporating specific features that enhance usability, such as alternative text for images and proper color contrast. We are also committed to using clear and simple language, which will make it easier for individuals with cognitive disabilities to understand the information presented on our webpages and applications.
- Inclusivity: As part of our commitment to inclusivity, we recognize that language should not be a barrier to accessing important information provided by the local authority. To ensure that all citizens can access this information, we will provide content in multiple languages on our websites and applications.
Social networking digital platform.
Our goal is to enhance social interaction and foster a stronger sense of community among Steinsel‘s residents. To accomplish this, we aim to establish a digital social networking platform that connects neighbors virtually. This platform would be a useful tool for neighbors to get acquainted with each other. Furthermore, it will have features that allow neighbors to organize events and find like-minded individuals to attend local events with.
Moreover, the platform will allow us to uphold one of the commitments we made in our 2017 electoral program, by empowering users to share tools and equipment with their neighbors. The inclusion of such functionality on the platform will offer neighbors the ability to lend and borrow tools, or share items like barbecues to enable garden parties. This represents an instance of the circular economy model, which seeks to reduce waste and promote sustainable resource utilization by keeping items in circulation for as long as possible, thereby minimizing the environmental impact.
Our objective is to create a more connected and cohesive community in Steinsel through this platform.
Promoting the diversification of communication.
We are committed to upgrade our communication strategies with the citizens. As stated earlier, we aim to develop platforms that cater to the needs of all residents, promote inclusion and encourage active participation. While we appreciate the recent efforts made by the board of deputy mayors to expand our communication channels through social media and an updated local newsletter, we realize that they have been slow and quite reluctant in the past years to adapt to newer forms of communication. We are not reluctant as we recognize that in today’s era, optimizing communication channels is crucial to effectively engage and inform citizens.
Public Clerk.
The municipality will assign a public clerk to assist citizens with administrative procedures, e. g. to explain administrative letters, to assist in giving answers or to establish contacts.
Expanding citizens‘ participation.
The DP will provide more opportunities to actively participate in decision-making processes at the local level.
At our core, we believe in promoting inclusion and engagement with citizens of the municipality of Steinsel. This means ensuring that all individuals, including foreign residents, are aware of their right to vote and even run for local office. To achieve this, we allow foreign residents to enroll themselves in the electoral register when they register with the municipality.
We also recognize the importance of providing information on the rights and obligations of newcomers.
Additionally, we strive to increase opportunities for citizens involvement, such as involving citizens in budget design and empowering youth through children and youth councils. We also acknowledge that council meetings may not be accessible to everyone due to scheduling conflicts. As a solution, we suggest recording meetings and making them available on our website or broadcasting them live on social media platforms. By implementing these initiatives, we hope to create a more engaged and inclusive community.
BUSINESSES
Medium-sized businesses are the backbone of well-functioning municipalities, and contribute substantially to the attractiveness of our villages. It follows that the maintenance and attraction of businesses and commercial enterprises require the full attention of those responsible for municipal policy. We will simplify procedures in general.
Preserving the retail sector.
The DP is convinced that the distance for the shopping of basic necessities and obtaining basic services must remain as short as possible for citizens. We will continue to advocate for the retention of retailers in our community. Where this is not possible, we will enter into dialogue with the service providers concerned, with a view to the development of alternative models (mobile sales, the installation of an ATM).
Further promote industrial and commercial zones.
The DP would like to focus further on municipal and regional commercial zones in which already established undertakings can grow their business and which may prove attractive as places in which to engage in new activities.
Supporting start-up businesses.
It’s not easy for start-up businesses to get off the ground. They often lack the necessary capital and premises. Consequently, we want to make parts of municipal activity zones and office premises available at an affordable cost to young, innovative start-ups and local handicraft businesses.
DP national program.
The Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Lex Delles (DP), is committed to establishing modern legal frameworks for modern business models. The overhaul of the Law on the right of establishment will lay down a clear legal framework for new business models of the kind characterising the “sharing economy” (e. g. Uber, Airbnb), with a view to preventing unfair competition with existing companies.
The sharing economy.
The DP will create, where appropriate in collaboration with neighboring municipalities, structures to enable citizens to lend to or borrow from each other diverse household objects, such as mowing machines, drills or similar devices, as and when needed. The DP will also support local initiatives to that end.
Supporting “repair cafés”.
In line with the need to conserve resources and to promote the circular economy, we need to encourage the repairing of appliances, machines, devices and utensils. The DP will organize in Steinsel ateliers – so-called “repair cafés” – in which one cannot only have things repaired, but can also acquire know-how. Such “repair cafés” also help to promote social interaction in our municipality.
Promoting mobile sales.
The DP wants to support mobile sales. Elderly people in particular are reliant on purchasing food from mobile vendors (mobile bakers and butchers, etc.)
Developing co-working spaces.
Co-working spaces offer significant potential for innovation and are becoming increasingly important as an alternative to home officeor the classic workstation. In addition, they help to very substantially reduce commuter traffic.
The DP wants to fully exploit and expand the potential of this new form of working together.
Pop-Up Stores.
In order to counter the phenomenon of properties standing vacant, to attract new retailers and to reinvigorate the center of our villages, the DP will intensify its efforts to encourage the temporary use of retail spaces.
MUNICIPAL FINANCES
The DP advocates a forward-looking fiscal policy in the form of medium-term financial planning.
Efficient budgetary management.
The DP favors a more efficient spending policy for municipalities and is looking, by means of so-called “screenings” and (inter-)municipal purchasing centers, to create additional means for new initiatives and investments. The DP will draw up a priority list of investments to be made and a multi-annual investment program annually, drawing on its own resources as far as possible.
We want to pursue a responsible debt policy. Debt capacity should only be used when demand-oriented investment in the future of the municipality and of its residents is necessary, without in the process losing sight of the follow-up costs affecting the municipal budget.
Alternative financing models.
We in the DP are convinced that the public-private financing of investment projects,
involving private undertakings and interested citizens, offers great potential. By the same token, alternative financing concepts, such as public-private partnerships in relation to solar systems or wind turbines, or social housing, should be assessed in terms of their feasibility and implemented where appropriate.
Regular audits.
The DP considers that our municipality should undergo, at 12-yearly intervals (two legislatures), a financial audit by a firm of auditors. The citizens must then be informed of the results thereof.
Promote inter-municipal cooperation.
Where the municipality of Steinsel lacks the possibility to offer every infrastructure and service, we will increasingly rely on inter-municipal cooperation. This creates opportunities to exploit synergies in relation to existing structures, services and new infrastructure projects and to acquire large pieces of machinery, resulting in cost savings.
Municipal debt.
Many investments have been boosted or are still to be made. The DP recognizes that these investments are necessary in the interest of our municipality. We can see that a number of mistakes over the past decades have made the situation difficult. As we look ahead, we will