Réiserbann

At this Municipal Council meeting, temporary traffic regulations, budget adjustments, personnel matters and the organisation of the school system were once again on the agenda.

For several other items, we would like to provide some additional explanations:

2.00 Report by an Engineering Consultancy on a Study of Heavy Rainfall Events in Roeser

Climate change has also reached our municipality, and we are increasingly experiencing it through short but extremely intense heavy rainfall events. These downpours lead to flooding, overloaded drainage systems and damage to homes, particularly where garages or basements are located below ground level.

To better address these risks in the future, the results of the municipal heavy-rainfall prevention concept, prepared by a specialised engineering consultancy, were presented during the Municipal Council meeting. A detailed mapping exercise identifies where water may accumulate during extreme rainfall and which houses could potentially be at risk.

To reduce these risks, a number of structural and landscape-based measures have been proposed for implementation over the coming years:

• Collection channels and retention basins capable of temporarily holding part of the water volume;
• Fords, hedgerow embankments and protective earthworks to direct and slow water flows;
• Drainage ditches extending into forested areas to improve natural runoff and provide water to the woodland;
• Embankments and planned emergency overflow routes where appropriate.

The Greens support these measures, as they have been needed for a long time. With earlier planning, these investments could also have been combined with other road or construction projects, reducing costs and improving efficiency. The main objective remains to better prepare our municipality for the consequences of climate change and to protect both residents and local property assets.

2.11 Classification of a Farmstead in Peppange as National Cultural Heritage

In Peppange, within the historic village centre, a private owner has expressed the wish to have his farmstead classified as national cultural heritage. This is a strong and positive signal, particularly because Peppange has an exceptional concentration of historically significant buildings: the former presbytery, the convent, the Agricultural and Crafts Museum, the Carriage Museum, the chapel and the traditional farm complexes that give the village its distinctive character.

The Greens attach great importance to heritage protection because heritage is not only a matter of preserving collective memory; it is also a source of identity, quality of life and a valuable resource for the sustainable development of our neighbourhoods. The owner’s initiative is exemplary and demonstrates how important it is for private individuals to contribute to preserving our shared history.

2.01, 2.02, 2.21 Nature Pact: Concept for the Extensive Management of Rural Paths and Increasing Unsealed Surfaces in Urban Areas

The Greens voted in favour of three agreements with SICONA, all aimed at achieving greater biodiversity, climate resilience and improved water management on municipal land. It was agreed that roadside verges will no longer be mown excessively, allowing flowers, insects and other small species to reclaim their habitat. At the same time, neither fertilisers nor pesticides will be used, a measure that protects nature and improves soil quality.

Another agreement concerns the area around Parc Luxite in Kockelscheuer, where a new pond will be created. Such a natural water body offers numerous ecological benefits: it provides habitat for amphibians, insects and water birds, helps stabilise local biodiversity and acts as a small natural cooling system for the surrounding area.

However, the Greens regret that the former auto-pedestrian paths in this area are no longer being maintained. They represented an important link between nature, recreation and local identity. We would like to see the municipality develop a renewed vision for these historic paths and ensure their maintenance. This too contributes to biodiversity and quality of life.

Another important point concerns PAPs (Local Development Plans), namely our new residential development areas. The percentage of land that must remain unsealed will increase from 15% to 25%. This means more trees, more planted areas and more permeable soil, resulting in better natural water infiltration during periods of heavy rainfall.

This sends a clear signal that the development of new neighbourhoods is finally moving towards a more balanced relationship between construction and nature. The Greens supported these measures with conviction. They reflect a modern and sustainable understanding of municipal policy, where we not only build infrastructure but also assume responsibility for protecting our natural environment.