Balve celebrates 50 years in the Märkisches Kreis - winner or loser?

Balve celebrates 50 years in the Märkisches Kreis - winner or loser?

On January 1, 1975, the area of the city of Balve experienced a comprehensive reorganization that had far -reaching consequences for political and social structures. This was shaped by a merger with the Balve office, the Märkisches Kreis, and other cities such as Hemer, Menden, Sundern and Neuenrade. The historical belonging to this goes back to 1817 when Balve and Affeln belonged to the Iserlohn district before moving to the Arnsberg district. As a result, the entire office of Balve had been part of the Arnsberg district since 1844 until it was integrated into the new structure in 1975. According to this reform, there was only 31 circles and 23 independent cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, a distinctive decline in before 48 circles and 34 independent cities, reports Wikipedia .

The reorganization produced both winners and losers. For Balve, the decision to lose the Oberamt and lose it was considered to be disadvantageous. Politicians such as the district administrator Marco Voge and Mayor Hubertus Mühling indicate that Balve was viewed as a loser at the time, a perception that still sounds 50 years later. Mühling emphasizes that identification with its districts remains strong, even if the citizens are no longer convinced of a merger with Neuenrade.

opportunities through the reorganization

The assessments of developments in Balve are not only negative. The CDU parliamentary group leader Alexander Schulte emphasizes that the city has developed positively and was able to preserve its identity. Sigrid Schmidt, the SPD local association chairman, also sees advantages in belonging to a strong circle. According to it, the region has developed into a strong community that optimally uses the advantages of cooperation. This shows that despite the initial negative perceptions, new opportunities have arisen.

The reorganization has promoted the integration of the different districts into the city of Balve. The region soon became known for its tourist highlights like the Balver cave. In addition, Balve is able to achieve financial and economic stability by building cooperations with other communities from the Märkische Kreis. Citizens continue to identify with the districts and the city of Balve, which indicates deep rooting in local culture.

historical connections and social developments

The historical connections to the cities of Arnsberg and Sundern remain strong, and many citizens also proudly bear their local identity 50 years after the reform. Interviews led by Roland Krahl by email show the different perspectives of local politicians. While some emphasize the feeling of loss, others have recognized that the region benefits from the joint work and the collected resources. A 50th anniversary of the Märkische Kreis is planned for 2025, which offers the opportunity to reflect and celebrate these developments.

Overall, the development of the city of Balve and the Märkische Kreis reflects the challenges and opportunities associated with the 1975 area reform. Even if Balve was considered a loser at the time, the preservation of identity and the strategic use of regional cooperation can be emphasized as positive results. This indicates that local communities can grow from changes that are initially perceived as negative.