- The municipalities and local towns aim to bolster the rural communities.
Rural areas in Lower Saxony necessitate more attention, according to the Lower Saxony Association of Towns and Municipalities (NSGB). "A variety of measures are essential to establish equal living standards in rural areas," the association advocates in a position paper given to the German Press Agency beforehand. At a gathering today in Oldenburg, the Association of Towns and Municipalities will, among other things, examine ways to enhance healthcare, public transportation, and digitalization in rural areas.
Most individuals in Lower Saxony's rural regions live beyond the significant cities and metropolitan areas, as per the association, representing over 360 autonomous cities and municipalities. "The notion of a unified rural area predominantly defined by agriculture from the mid-20th century is no longer accurate," the association points out.
Irritation with healthcare and care services
The NSGB objects to the health and care services, forecasting that Lower Saxony is moving towards a severe shortage of doctors. The association promotes more emphasis on primary care in training and financial aid for municipalities to maintain hospitals.
Rural areas suffer the most during the energy transition due to the installation of wind turbines and solar panels, the position paper indicates. The areas should profit financially from this and maintain planning autonomy.
Broadband expansion is another issue
Additionally, municipalities require additional financial support for broadband expansion and practical options for artificial intelligence usage.
The association identifies a requirement for catch-up in climate change adaptation, distributing funds, supporting municipal representatives, housing refugees, promoting tourism, public transportation, and education. The association also seeks strong help for rural areas from the European Union.
The Lower Saxony Association of Towns and Municipalities (NSGB) highlights the need for municipalities to receive more financial aid for broadband expansion in rural areas. In response to the chronic shortage of doctors in rural regions, the association advocates for increased focus on primary care in medical training and financial assistance for municipalities to maintain hospitals within rural areas.
