The city of Gelsenkirchen has undergone significant structural changes in recent years. With several initiatives, the place was able to develop even more positively in terms of planning and construction. In 2006, the street furniture was renewed and created a new urban landscape for the city's citizens. As part of the Gelsenkirchen urban renewal project, new and attractive neighborhoods such as Heinrich-König Platz were also created.
The Gelsenkirchen Municipal Initiative e. V. is an association made up mainly of property owners that pursues the common goal of continuing to make Gelsenkirchen city center attractive and revitalizing. The first measure launched in 2010 was the new winter light for Bahnhofstrasse. In the following years, in addition to lighting sides such as Arminstrasse and Klosterstrasse, the ball tree was also created in Neumarkt. Furthermore, Arminstrasse has been equipped with small and large palm trees in the pedestrian zone, which give the street a summery atmosphere in the warmer months.
In April 2012, City Initiative Gelsenkirchen hired a city administrator, Angela Bartelt, who looks after the local concerns of property owners, traders, citizens and other active urban and private actors. The City Initiative works closely with the city of Gelsenkirchen, the city redevelopment agency City, the advertising association Gelsenkirchen City and. V., the Gelsenkirchen Economic Development Agency, the railway station center and the Gelsenkirchen City Marketing Society.