The Alsace Rhin Brisach Community of Communes (CC Rhin) is going through a pivotal period in terms of regulations and territory. Between public inquiries, cross-border mobility projects, and cultural programming, the decisions made in recent months will shape the daily lives of residents for years to come.
Heritage of Neuf-Brisach: a public inquiry that impacts local urban planning
The most significant topic at the moment for CC Rhin concerns the Heritage and Architecture Enhancement Plan (PVAP) of Neuf-Brisach. This document was adopted by a resolution of the community council on October 20, 2025, and pertains to the Remarkable Heritage Site of the city.
The public inquiry takes place from October 5 to November 4, 2026. The PVAP will frame the protection and enhancement of urban heritage, with direct effects on urban planning permits, rehabilitations, and construction projects within the protected perimeter.
For property owners, this implies reinforced constraints on materials, facade colors, and architectural modifications. For the community, the scheme serves as a lever for tourism enhancement around the Vauban fortifications, which are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Field feedback varies on this point: some elected officials view the PVAP as a hindrance to renovation, while others see it as a long-term protection tool. Following the news on CC Rhin allows residents to know the dates of the commissioners’ public inquiry sessions and the participation modalities.
Fessenheim PLU and public consultation: what changes concretely
A compatibility adjustment procedure for the Fessenheim PLU is underway alongside the Neuf-Brisach file. The preliminary consultation was opened on July 20, 2026, for a minimum duration of three months, and a first public meeting was held on September 11, 2026, at the headquarters of CC Alsace Rhin Brisach.
This type of procedure, called “project declaration involving compatibility adjustment of the PLU,” occurs when a community project requires modifying the existing land use regulations. The available data does not allow for a conclusion on the exact nature of the targeted project. However, the established participation mechanism (public meeting, consultation register) indicates a significant planning issue.
For the residents of Fessenheim and neighboring municipalities, this consultation remains the only way to influence the chosen directions before the final approval of the document.
Cross-border mobility and soft transport: transport issues on the Rhine
The issue of cross-border mobility regularly comes up in discussions in the Rhine territory. The rail connection between Alsace and Baden-Württemberg, particularly on the Colmar-Freiburg axis, is among the topics raised by local stakeholders. If such a project were to materialize, it would change commuting flows throughout the Rhine area, providing an alternative to road transport. The available data does not specify the timeline or the current stage of this file.
The development of cycling routes at the intercommunal level is also under consideration. Local authorities are seeking to complete the existing network to make short trips between municipalities more bike-friendly, particularly for home-to-school and home-to-business commutes. The timeline for implementation and funding for these developments remains to be clarified.
CC Rhin cultural events: the Musicales du Rhin and local associative life
The Musicales du Rhin are offering 29 horn quartet concerts for their opening. This format remains atypical in the landscape of Alsatian festivals. The schedule and detailed program were published in mid-September.
The territory also hosts fairs and exhibitions organized by the local associative fabric, aimed at artisans, merchants, and intercommunal professionals. These events include activities for families and aim to highlight the local economy, a focus supported by CC Rhin in its territorial development strategy.
The intercommunal magazine ARB Infos number 11 has also been published. This publication serves as the main channel for institutional information from CC Alsace Rhin Brisach, covering ongoing projects, decisions from the community council, and the calendar of upcoming events.
Daily life and services for residents in the Rhine territory
CC Rhin maintains a network of local services that evolves with needs. Welcome places dedicated to families with young children offer spaces for socialization and exchange among parents. The “September Move” initiative invites residents to take on sports challenges in their respective municipalities.
Health initiatives aimed at seniors are organized in several municipalities in the territory, and collective sophrology sessions are offered in Beinheim, in the neighboring Rhine Plain area. These actions reflect the desire of Rhine intercommunalities to diversify their offerings beyond historical competencies (water, waste, urban planning) to meet concrete needs for well-being and social connection.
The public inquiries on the heritage of Neuf-Brisach and the Fessenheim PLU engage the medium-term urban planning future of the territory. Participation in the ongoing consultations remains the most direct way for residents to influence these directions before their final approval.
