Questions and Answers
	1.	Why is Braunschweig, jointly with the Region, putting itself up as a candidate for the European Culture Capital 2010?
	2.	How can you outline the topography of the Region?
	3.	How can you outline the culture of the Region?
	4.	What are the priorities in Braunschweig's application phase?
	5.	Are research and science of any significance in the application?
	6.	Are the twin towns being involved?
	7.	What are the guidelines of the application concept?
	What are the guidelines of the application concept? The principal objective of our concept is to generate awareness of and portray the different qualities and outstanding strengths of Braunschweig and the Region. Weaknesses have to be identified at an early point and transformed into strength in the course of the process. 2010 projects for Braunschweig History - Present - Prospects: these will be the three reference points for our application. But the focus of the projects to be developed will be on cultural events and urban development in order to render momentum to the development of the conditions of life in a forward-looking city. That is why young people will be included in the brainstorming. Urban development objectives:
	•	The application is linked with sustainable urban development, i.e. the focus is on projects which will have a lasting effect beyond the year 2010 and which can contribute to the improvement of the infrastructure of our city.
	•	Increase of the multifarious options the municipal area offers. Fill up or make use of functional and urban gaps (neglected commercial premises, building gaps etc.)
	•	Incorporation and artistically designed aesthetic improvement of the urban space, of streets and squares in the entire city, the objective being to increase the quality of life here.
	•	Illustration of historical contexts which have been lost due to the destructions of war and post-war planning; e.g. depiction of the five medieval urban cells of Braunschweig, or re-design of the historical city gates, in particular the Oker bridges and their environment.
	•	Incorporation and landscaping of urban public gardens; e.g. conversion of parts of a one-time railway track bed, which used to form a ring around the city, into a nature trail giving insight into some of Braunschweig's industrial history.
	•	Incorporation and landscaping of the theme "Water in the City", e.g. re-opening of some parts of the historical moats and water courses, design and development of the Oker bank areas; incorporation of fountains and water ducts in the design of urban space.
	•	Promotion of integrated residential projects in the existing urban area allowing close interaction of work and leisure functions in order to counterbalance polarisation and segregation of social spheres.
	•	Careful redevelopment or improvement of historically valuable housing estates classified as historical monuments outside the city centre, e.g. Siegfriedviertel, Bebelhof, etc.
	•	Development and improvement of the immediate environs of the large housing estates built in the 1960s and 70s, with due consideration for the needs of children.
	•	Preservation of historical monuments as a source of awareness of our history.