A farewell with foresight: David Wagner looks back on 11 years of Rosenstein!

A farewell with foresight: David Wagner looks back on 11 years of Rosenstein!

On June 1, 2025, David Wagner will say goodbye to the editorial team of the “Guten Morgen” gloss after eleven years and will look back on an eventful time as Rosenstein editor. Wagner, who introduced himself as “the new guy” in the editorial team more than a decade ago, has documented many significant developments and events in the region in his career. He witnessed the construction of the Mögglingen bypass and the Böbinger B-29 tunnel and accompanied the assembly of the lightfall at Rosenstein, an exciting experience that, like many other occasions, he recorded in his reports.

Wagner also had an insight into the kitchens of renowned star chefs and was present at SWR filming in Lautern. His reporting also included the founding of associations and citizens' initiatives, including "Getting Older in Lautern" and the BI "Lebensraum Albuch". In particular, the Water with Taste Festival, which has developed into a major event over the years, received attention in his journalistic work. During his time, Wagner was able to attend numerous meetings of the five local councils in the Rosenstein area and gain valuable insights into local politics.

A look into the future

With his farewell words, Wagner announced that he would be taking on a new professional challenge from July. He expresses his gratitude for the many people and events that accompanied him during his time and wishes the readers all the best for the future. In this context, it becomes clear how important the connection between media and community is and how local journalists have a significant voice in urban development.

In another context that underscores the importance of citizen participation in urban planning, six members of citizens' initiatives in Linz, Austria, recently took a step to become more involved in urban politics. The initiatives, including the Future Klostergarten Citizens' Initiative and the Sonnenstein-Gerstner-Ferihumerstrasse Quality of Life Initiative, have the common goal of promoting forward-looking urban development approaches and promoting transparent, citizen-oriented politics.

The role of citizens in the development process

These efforts are in line with the observations of the Citizen Participation Working Group of the German Association of Cities, which as early as 2013 noted a growing willingness among the population to participate in politics. Citizens' desire for more say and transparency can be seen not only in Linz, but also in many German cities. These wishes are often associated with skepticism towards established political actors, which increases the need for effective participation processes.

However, successful civic participation requires the development of representative processes that include various social groups. Although digital participation is a valuable tool, it must be ensured that it is inclusive and appeals to all population groups. The combination of digital and analog methods is crucial to effectively organize citizen participation and promote broad acceptance of political decisions.

Wagner's experiences and the activities of the citizens' initiatives show how important it is to include the voices of citizens in urban development. Influential actors, including private individuals, initiatives and local administration, are increasingly working together to address community needs and enable participatory urban development. These trends reflect not only local dynamics, but also a general need for more participation in the decision-making processes in our cities.