Hannover is the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony. Germany’s 13th largest city is currently led by mayor Belit Onay. He entered office on November 22, 2019 and has already achieved a lot for Hannover, the city which is known around the world as the home to Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade fairs. Onay was born in the town of Goslar and has later relocated to Hannover to study law. Mayor of Hannover stated on his website that he was prompted to enter politics by the 1993 Solingen arson attack during which the house of a Turkish family was set on fire in the German city of Solingen. It was one of the most heinous acts of xenophobia in modern German history. Onay, whose parents were born in Turkey, realized the importance of young people like himself getting involved in politics and also making sure that the voices of people with migration backgrounds are heard. Onay was a member of the Lower Saxony state parliament between 2013 and 2019 and had a role in shaping local politics in Hanover as a member of the city council. As mayor of Hannover, Belit Onay is committed to strengthening Hannover’s reputation as a modern and cosmopolitan city where people from different cultures and backgrounds live together in harmony. Furthermore, mayor Onay is working on a series of other important issues such as climate-friendly mobility, digitalization, and safety. One of Mayor Onay’s top priorities is sustainable mobility. Promotion of cycling, new biking paths, and improved safety conditions are meant to increase the number of people in Hannover using bikes as a means of transportation. Furthermore, mayor of Hannover also aims to establish a car-free city center by 2030. Expanding public transportation, making it more affordable, and adding new routes are also objectives that mayor Onay has set in order to improve the quality of life in Hannover. In this German city, rethinking traffic is a process that is already in full swing. Cities are at the center of climate change, both in terms of its effects and potential responses, which Hannover is very well aware of. Climate action and eco-friendly policies are among the highest priorities for mayor Onay. More sustainable infrastructure, investment in climate-neutral buildings and an increased number of green areas are meant to ensure a healthier living environment in the city located on the river Leine. Furthermore, mayor Onay is also dedicated to making Hannover an attractive business location with a strong emphasis on sustainability. (photo credit: Hannover official website)