Citizens' budget makes science visible

In future, special green traffic light symbols will be visible at three pedestrian lights in Jena: Instead of the usual traffic light man, the green signal shows a running microscope. The new symbols were implemented as part of the city of Jena's citizens' budget and reflect Jena's importance as a science and research location.

The scientific traffic light men can be found at the following locations:

- Fürstengraben / Zwätzengasse (near the main university building)
- Carl-Zeiss-Promenade / Lichtenhainer Straße (near Ernst Abbe University)
- Winzerlaer Straße / Hermann-Löns-Straße (near Beutenbergcampus)

The red pedestrian signal remains unchanged. Only the green signal has been replaced by the new symbolism. Kommunalservice Jena was able to successfully program the installation and implement the citizen's budget proposal.

Science as part of society

With the scientific traffic light men, a citizens' budget proposal is being implemented that makes the city's special identity as a research and science location visible in public spaces in a creative way. The proposal received 291 votes in the citizens' budget vote and was therefore selected for implementation. The costs for the implementation amount to around 1,500 euros.

Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche welcomes the implementation of the proposal:

"Jena is a city where the university and society are very close. The population is interested in scientific topics. It is therefore no wonder that the city submitted a proposal as part of the citizens' budget to install these very special traffic light figures in the immediate vicinity of Jena's main scientific sites, i.e. directly at the main building of the Friedrich Schiller University. There is no better way to show how close the city and the university are."

University President Andreas Marx agrees:

"Science doesn't just take place in laboratories, lecture halls or research facilities. The new Ampelmännchen are a small but eye-catching sign of how present science is in our city."

The proposal was submitted by Dana Strauß, who, as a citizen but also as an employee at the university, is delighted that the idea is now visible in the city:

"I think it's great that we've been able to create a small, shining moment in everyday life with the science traffic lights. They remind us that science is part of our society and remains connected to it in many different ways."

Successful effect of citizen participation

Kathleen Lützkendorf, the department head responsible for citizen participation, sees the project as a successful example of the impact of citizen participation:

"Citizen participation shows its value especially when an idea becomes a concrete reality. The scientific traffic light men show what can happen when commitment and municipal implementation come together through the citizens' budget. The citizens' budget is an important instrument of civic participation and will continue to contribute to taking up good ideas from urban society and making them visible."

The proposal phase of the 2026 citizens' budget is currently underway and residents have until 31.07.2026 to submit new ideas and projects for Jena. Information is available on the city's participation platform at mitmachen.jena.de.