In world dominated by globalisation, many people are looking for something to hold onto, for orientation and for the place they feel at home. The Ministry of Regional Identity, Communities and Local Government, Building and Gender Equality of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia has a number of opportunities to preserve and develop places with a high quality of life and to thus create home. We want to achieve this both in the metropolitan regions and towns and in the villages and communities in the countryside.

We design regional identity locally, for example, by creating reliable conditions for municipal finances, promoting residential construction and urban development and evolving the different regions in North Rhine-Westphalia in a forward-looking manner.

The care and preservation of historic buildings and ground monuments are likewise part of the Ministry’s remit. We furthermore want to strengthen the sense of community because that also helps people to feel at home. The commitment of the many volunteers in North Rhine-Westphalia furthermore merits our particular appreciation. Home in North Rhine-Westphalia also means that women and men participate with equal rights. The Ministry takes account of the aspect of equality in all its tasks and action.

People feel happy and secure where regional identity is a tangible experience. That includes everyone – also the people who find a new home in North Rhine/Westphalia. Our state is characterised by regional variety that we want to preserve in the same way as we foster customs and traditions. We thereby support and particularly appreciate the commitment of the many voluntary workers, perhaps during the Ministry’s regular home tours. At the same time, regional identity must progress. For example, we must utilise the opportunities presented by the structural change in the Ruhr or generate mobility and shopping opportunities in the countryside.

As a partner to the municipal family, we strengthen the ability of the cities, communities and local councils to act and want to achieve equal rights of development in all parts of the state. We will give the municipalities greater freedom to make decisions, among other things improving their financing and by strengthening municipal self-management.

As the topmost authority of the state, the Ministry supports teamwork between municipalities and the digitalisation of administrations. Less bureaucracy and more closeness to the citizens should help municipalities to evolve home together with local people.

Residential construction, urban development and care of monuments
Home is built-up residences. We want to create a “climate for new construction”, so that more residential space is built: whether rental flats, condominiums or family homes. Construction should be quicker and cheaper, which involves requirements that are easily called-up, more construction land and digitalisation – from planning through to completion.

Targeted promotion will secure the individuality of the different regions in North Rhine-Westphalia and maintain their future viability. This also includes the care and preservation of monuments, so that history and home can be experienced.

The equality of men and women remains a goal to be pursued with dedication. The Ministry promotes employment opportunities for women and re-entry into careers in many ways. We also want to encourage women to choose a “typical male profession”, whilst men should discover their chances in “female professions”.

Support services will be expanded and it is intended to reliably finance women’s shelters to protect women and men from violence. In addition, we are founding an “Alliance for Variety and Equal Opportunities“ to combat gender-specific discrimination.