The development of the municipality of Kayl is centred around the new district of Kayl North (Toussaintsmillen) where 700 homes will be built in the future. The municipality is already preparing to welcome these new arrivals by improving its infrastructure.

Located in the south of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in the region that has been called "The Mining Basin" for more than a hundred years, the Commune of Kayl is in the midst of a revival. Located on the French border, its territory is bounded by the Communes of Rumelange, Esch/Alzette, Schifflange, Bettembourg, Dudelange, Volmerange-les Mines and Ottange. This central position between the main poles of the south of the country ensures that it is now increasingly attractive to people looking for a small, forward-looking commune.

If the decline of the steel industry in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in Tetange, led to a loss of jobs and a decrease in the number of inhabitants, this is now history. Today, Kayl is a very attractive place to live with almost 9,000 inhabitants, a good road network and a very modern infrastructure. "We counted 8,776 inhabitants on 15 September 2016, of which 5,034 were in Kayl and 3,742 in Tétange," says John Lorent, the mayor of the municipality. These figures are constantly increasing.

700 new homes in the pipeline

To ensure its harmonious development in the years to come, the commune has just launched the production of its General Development Plan (PAG). In the works since 2014, it provides for a major urban extension to the north of the commune. "This plan has enabled the reclassification of certain areas and all eyes are now on the new district of Kayl North (Toussaintsmillen) where 700 new homes will be built in the future." For the time being, the project is in its infancy. A gradual development, by sector, is planned. "Everything depends on the willingness of the landowners to move forward with us in this ambitious project, on the basis of the Special Development Plan (SDP)," continues the mayor. In the long term, around 1,500 residents should join the municipality and contribute to its development. This large area between Rue de Schifflange, Rue de Noertzange to the east and the south-north collector road should accommodate flats and single-family houses, with a minimum of 30% of low-cost housing.

From an economic and employment point of view, the municipality is ideally situated halfway between Dudelange and Esch-sur-Alzette. "We also have a direct bus link to the capital via the RGTR 197 line," explains John Lorent, whose objective is to increase the attractiveness of his municipality. "A craft and commercial zone will be created between Tétange and Rumelange, on the site of the former factory slag heap, which has been abandoned. Until now, we have lacked space for this type of activity. This zone should attract new shops and small craftsmen from the region.

Restructuring of school provision

In recent years, the municipality of Kayl has focused much of its efforts on schools and school infrastructure. The new halfway house, on the site of the "Um Widdem" campus, is currently under construction and is expected to open its doors at the beginning of the 2017 school year. "More than 200 children, from pre-school to primary school, will be able to be accommodated there in excellent conditions," says the mayor. "Youth is one of our priorities. A new school and a learning pool will be built on the site of the former Faubourg school. We have also worked hard on the relocation of neighbourhood schools. Our predecessors at the head of the municipality had wanted to centralise the school offer, but this causes numerous traffic problems. Instead, we want to bring schools closer to the neighbourhoods, reduce travel and provide a better living environment for everyone, parents and children. In the near future, in collaboration with the private sector, the municipality will also have a local medical centre. It will be located in Rue Neuve, not far from the Cactus.

Between nature, history and culture

With the cessation of mining activity in 1978, the landscape of the commune still bears some of the scars of human activity. However, nature has quickly repaired all or part of these wounds. The abandoned territory has become a space worthy of extensive protection due to the presence of all kinds of pioneer species. The "Haard" nature park in the east invites the inhabitants to relax in harmony with nature. A new nature reserve area is also being developed in the northwest with the protection of the "Lalléngerbierg" and "Brucherbierg" areas (municipalities of Schifflange, Esch/Alzette and Kayl).

The area near the National Miners' Monument, known as "Léiffrächen", with its impressive face, is also a very special place, allowing the geological history of the Paris Basin to be retraced over 170 million years.

Lovers of nature and industrial history will enjoy visiting the municipality of Kayl. Numerous local associations contribute to the quality and diversity of the cultural and leisure activities on offer for young and old alike.