After Stadt + Handel Beckmann und Föhrer Stadtplaner PartGmbB from Dortmund was commissioned to update the city center concept in 2022, 1,671 retail businesses with a total sales area of 433,000 square meters and around 1,500 supplementary functions within central locations such as services, gastronomy, culture and public administration were recorded throughout Bonn in 2023. Extensive information was collected by business and political representatives on tours of Bonn city center and the district centers of Bad Godesberg, Beuel and Duisdorf.

There were also two online surveys: 1,105 questionnaires were completed in the local supply survey and around 800 in the center survey on the three city district centers. The survey is supplemented by the "Vital inner cities" study, in which around 1,000 citizens took part in 2022 and gave their opinions on Bonn's city center.

In the subsequent analysis phase, the planning office evaluated further statistics, existing concepts and plans as well as legal bases; current trends such as online retail were taken into account. An assessment of retail development since the last update with a full retail survey in 2008 was carried out. The number of retail businesses in Bonn has fallen overall, while sales space has increased. This reflects the nationwide trend towards more chain stores and fewer small specialist stores. The purchasing power level - an index value that indicates the retail-relevant per capita purchasing power compared to the German average of 100 - fell by two points to 105.

The retail and center concept continues to provide for a four-level hierarchy of central supply areas. In addition, local supply locations are also to be included in order to meet the objective of a city of short distances.

The first level is Bonn's city center with its extensive retail trade and, in line with the upper central function of the City of Bonn, a catchment area that extends beyond the city limits.

In the second level of district centers (formerly B centers), the district centers of Bad Godesberg, Beuel and Duisdorf continue to be represented with catchment areas beyond the respective city district and a correspondingly diverse retail offering, including goods for medium to longer-term needs (e.g. clothing and electrical appliances).

The district centers (previously C centers) have retail structures relevant to local supply with partial offers for medium-term needs (clothing and shoes).

The local supply centers are mainly limited to retail structures relevant to local supply with a smaller catchment area.

The city administration, together with the commissioned office, will provide information on the draft update at the information events in the city districts on the key topic of local supply. The aim is to discuss the results with citizens and local businesses at borough level.

The draft report will then be finalized and discussed in the political bodies with the aim of public interpretation. As in an urban land-use planning procedure, suggestions can be submitted again before a final draft concept is presented to politicians for a decision. A digital information event is also planned during the public display so that the draft concept can be presented in its entirety and open questions can be clarified.

The final draft resolution on the update of the retail and center concept is to be presented to the council and its committees at the beginning of 2025 for consultation and resolution. Finally, a so-called attestation from the Cologne district government is required as part of the state planning objectives.