Mayors of Luxembourg - Steinsel

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg consists of twelve cantons made up of 100 municipalities. Each municipal council is elected directly by its residents in municipal elections held every six years. The municipality’s mayor is then appointed from among the elected members of the municipal council.

In this series, Chronicle.lu spoke to a selection of the country’s mayors to discuss the challenges within their municipality, their daily activities, how projects are prioritised and how they communicate with residents.

The eighth in this series features Mayor Manon Kolber-Hoffmann, who represents the municipality of Steinsel.

Chronicle.lu: What is the size of your municipality, in population and number of nationalities?

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: At the moment we have around 6,300 habitants, including 89 nationalities

Chronicle.lu: What are the main challenges currently facing the municipality (housing, mobility, infrastructure, environment, demographic growth, etc.) and how is the administration working to address them?

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: There are many challenges in a municipality like ours, as we have to respond to the needs of people from different backgrounds, nationalities and age groups. Mobility and housing are ongoing challenges.

We are currently experiencing significant and housing are ongoing challenges. We are currently experiencing significant demographic growth, which naturally brings more traffic. In addition, a considerable amount of through traffic from the north of the country towards Strassen and Bertrange passes through Steinsel, putting extra pressure on our road network.

Our responsibility is to manage this growth in a sustainable way while preserving the quality of life that makes Steinsel such an attractive place to live. School development is another constant challenge, as we need to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace with population growth. At the moment, we are carrying out a major development project, including a new wing of the municipal administration building, a new public square designed as a meeting place, a park, a parking facility and a future building whose purpose will be defined following a public consultation.

We strongly believe that involving our residents in shaping these projects helps create places that truly meet the needs of our community.

Chronicle.lu: Please describe the daily activities undertaken by you, as mayor of the municipality of Steinsel and how you work in conjunction with the other members of your administration.

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: You can find me at the municipal administration every day of the week and, of course, I am available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in case of emergencies. I always tell my staff that my door is open, and I genuinely try to live by that principle. For me, maintaining close contact with my employees is essential, as it allows us to work together in complete transparency and mutual trust.

It is equally important to put aside personal interests or favours and focus solely on what is best for the residents of Steinsel. I strongly believe that good local government is based on teamwork, open communication and mutual respect. 

What I enjoy most about being mayor is that every day I can make a tangible difference in people's lives, whether through a major infrastructure project or simply by helping solve a resident's problem.

Each week also includes a number of regular meetings. On Tuesday and Friday mornings, we hold meetings of the College of Mayor and Aldermen, while Thursday mornings are dedicated to reviewing building permit applications.

Chronicle.lu: Please describe the challenges of being mayor of Steinsel and what makes your municipality unique in Luxembourg.

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: Being mayor is a highly challenging role because every day brings different issues and responsibilities. That is exactly what makes this position so rewarding: no two days are ever the same, and every decision has a direct impact on people's daily lives. 

Steinsel is regularly affected by flooding, and extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent. Preparing for these situations, preventing damage where possible and ensuring the safety of our residents are important responsibilities. Since I only recently became mayor, I have fortunately not yet had to deal with a major natural disaster.

What makes Steinsel unique is its exceptional location. We are only a few minutes from Luxembourg City, while at the same time being surrounded by nature. More than 80% of our territory consists of forests and agricultural land, and the Alzette River further enhances the natural beauty of the municipality. This allows residents to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside while remaining just fifteen minutes from the capital. I believe this balance between nature, accessibility and community spirit is what makes Steinsel truly special.

For me, what I love most in Steinsel is the summer months, when we can spend time outside, go to the many events we organise, get in touch with people I do not know yet and catching up with my friends. At the end of May it starts with the blues festival, in June we celebrate the “Kiermess” and “Notinalfeierdag” and many more interesting appointments.

What I love most about Steinsel is the summer season. It is the time of year when people come together, spend more time outdoors and really enjoy community life. I love attending the many events we organise, meeting people I have not had the chance to get to know yet and catching up with friends.

Our event season starts at the end of May with the Blues Festival, followed by the Kiermess and Luxembourg's National Day celebrations in June, as well as many other events throughout the summer. These occasions bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and create the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes Steinsel such a special place to live.

Chronicle.lu: As mayor, how do you select and prioritise which projects the municipality will undertake?

First of all, we receive a great deal of input from our residents. In addition, our Technical Department provides valuable expertise, particularly regarding infrastructure, maintenance and long-term planning.

Ultimately, prioritising projects also requires experience and good judgement. Some priorities arise from urgent situations, while others develop through experience or from the feedback we receive from our citizens.

Every decision must also be financially responsible. We have a duty to invest in today's needs while keeping future generations in mind.

That is why communication - both internally within the administration and externally with our residents - is essential.

Chronicle.lu: What are the key projects, developments and upcoming events that will shape life in Steinsel over the coming months and years?

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: The completion of the new town centre will certainly be a major milestone for Steinsel and will significantly improve the quality of life in the municipality.

In addition, we are currently studying the possibility of creating a shared space in the village centre to improve both safety and quality of life. Our objective is to keep Steinsel vibrant and attractive rather than allowing it to simply become a commuter town. We want to encourage sustainable development that respects future generations while preserving sufficient green and open spaces.

At the end of the day, every project we undertake should make everyday life better for our residents while preserving the unique character of our municipality.

Chronicle.lu: How does the municipality communicate with residents and encourage them to become involved in local life and decision-making? Do you use English in such communications?

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: We communicate through a variety of channels, including our municipal website, theGemengebuet magazine, local television, HOPLR, the Steesel App, public information meetings and social media.

Most of our communication is currently available in Luxembourgish and French. Especially for printed publications, we limit the number of languages in order to avoid unnecessary paper consumption.

However, as our international community continues to grow, we are increasingly providing information in English whenever appropriate, particularly online and during

public events. We want everyone living in Steinsel to feel informed and included.

Chronicle.lu: Please describe any initiatives / projects the municipality has in place to strengthen community relations, integration and volunteering.

Manon Kolber-Hoffmann: Our municipality has a wide range of clubs and associations that welcome everyone and play an important role in bringing people together. Like many municipalities, encouraging volunteering remains a challenge, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to find people who are willing to dedicate their time on a regular basis.

We have also signed the Pacte du Vivre-Ensemble Interculturel and are implementing various initiatives aimed at strengthening social cohesion and helping newcomers integrate into local life.

Integration is a shared responsibility. As a municipality, we can create opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas and become part of the community, but building a strong and vibrant municipality also depends on residents choosing to participate in local life.