Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer has highlighted the significant challenges facing the capital, describing the “enormous pressure” created by its disproportionate concentration of population and economic activity.
In a Wednesday morning interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio, Polfer noted that while the capital occupies just 2% of Luxembourg’s territory (with 1% vegetation), it hosts 20% of the national population and 40% of all jobs. With current residents numbering 135,000 and projections suggesting growth to 180,000 under the General Development Plan (PAG), demand continues to outpace housing supply.
The mayor firmly rejected claims that the municipality is intentionally slowing construction. “The PAG clearly determines building possibilities for each plot,” Polfer stated, adding that approval delays more often stem from legal complaints by residents than municipal decisions. She specifically denied allegations that the city council had opposed adding floors to particular developments, asserting that “everyone knows that everyone is treated the same” in the approval process.
While acknowledging the housing shortage, Polfer emphasised that resident objections to projects - though potentially delaying - represent a legitimate exercise of democratic rights.
The conflict between Luxembourg City and the Centre for Urban Justice (ZUG) has escalated, centring on two key transparency demands regarding urban infrastructure.
The dispute began with significantly different assessments of non-compliant pedestrian crossings - while ZUG claims 475 exist, the municipality acknowledges only 37. After the administrative court initially ruled in favour of ZUG’s request for access to safety documents, the city has appealed. Mayor Polfer referenced Luxembourg’s transparency administration law during Wednesday’s interview, explaining that unfinished or internal documents are exempt from disclosure.
The nonprofit’s additional request for access to the city’s utility mapping platform was firmly rejected by Polfer on security grounds. “That is not possible,” she stated, citing vulnerabilities demonstrated by attacks on France’s power grid and Spain’s blackout incidents as justification for protecting such sensitive data.
Polfer denied any attempt to conceal information, revealing she had arranged - and ZUG declined - an in-person meeting at city hall to discuss concerns. “This isn’t about winning or losing,” the mayor emphasised, “but about achieving clarity.”
