Business Improvement Districts
The concept of Business Improvements Districts (BID) originated in the Toronto area of Canada in the 1970s. These are generally areas "where landowners or business owners are legally required to pay a levy to a private organization that runs programs to enhance the attractiveness of the area" (Pütz 2008: 7). In Germany, BIDs are a "young and at the same time quite successful instrument in the repertoire of urban development" (Pütz 2008: 21) and are being implemented in the state of Bremen with the "Act to Strengthen Retail and Service Centers", which came into force on July 27, 2006 stepped on (Pütz 2008: 63).
The following fundamental goals, especially in favor of the landowners, are to be achieved via the BID's.
• More security for owners through long-term stabilization of rent levels
• Convincing and acquiring solvent tenants by developing and communicating a clear location profile
• Development of a stable customer potential for tenants through the creation of special offers and a concise space design
• Gaining new target groups and strengthening the shopping location of Bremen City as a whole
• Cooperation with the administration and local politicians will be further improved in order to be able to process the city's regular tasks more quickly and tackle special tasks together.
CS City-Service GmbH, a subsidiary of CityInitiative Bremen Werbung eV and BREPARK GmbH, is responsible for the active BIDs in Bremen.
BIDs in Bremen City
BID Ansgari
The Ansgari Quartier is a core part of the lively center of Bremen city center and part of the inner-city pedestrian zone. The community of business people and property owners has been active as the Business Improvement District (BID) since 2009 and ensures a varied quality of stay at Ansgarikirchhof. The focus in the BID Ansgari is accordingly on the areas of space design and use by events and temporary uses.
Today the Ansgarikirchhof is the greenest square in the city of Bremen. In addition to the boxwood plants, the open red umbrellas and the year-round seating, campaigns adapted to the season improve the quality of stay in the Ansgari Quarter. In spring and autumn, the square is filled with green city gardens, making it a magnet for children and families. The free internet use is an additional offer, which contributes to the length of stay and quality of stay. Early shopping concerts fill the square with music. In the dark winter months, winter illuminations and tree lighting create an atmospheric atmosphere. Further information on the BID Ansgari can be found at www.bid-ansgari.de
BID Sögestrasse
As the second most frequented location in Bremen's city center and with a high-quality and well-mixed stock, Sögestraße is one of the top shopping addresses in Bremen. The owners and business residents have organized themselves in the form of a BID since 2021. The BID itself focuses on increasing the quality of stay through cleanliness and street design. In addition, events, impressive winter lighting and greenery with laurel trees lining the street are financed via the BID. As an annual highlight, the residents of the Sögestraße invite the visitors to the shopping mile to a merchant's meal with suckling pig, as a homage to the history of the street, and vegetarian offers every September. Further information can be found at www.bid-soegestrasse.de
