Street, house number, postcode, place name - this is what a classic address looks like. Not so in the Lower Saxony Hilgermissen. In the eight districts of the community, the houses are numbered - according to an arbitrary seeming system - official street names do not exist. For years it is discussed whether one should change that, proponents and opponents can not agree.

In 2013, the citizens of the 2190-inhabitant community voted against the introduction of street names. But it did not stay that way: After a working group for village renewal had asked to improve the findability, an institute of the University of Osnabrück was commissioned to develop suitable measures - among others it proposed to introduce street names. In the summer of 2018, the local council just barely decided.

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Hilgermissen: Where The Streets Have No Name

But even then, some residents did not want to resign and initiated a referendum. On Sunday, February 3, will be retuned. Wilfried Imgarten is an honorary community director. The 57-year-old hopes that the vote will bring the disputes to an end.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mr. Imgarten, how much does the debate about street names pollute village life?

Wilfried Imgarten: Lately the discussion is getting sharper and this is generally felt to be very stressful. The arguments are exchanged and still there are still some for street names and others against. The rift goes through the village community and also through families. It is discussed intensively - sometimes it becomes personal. For the sake of peace, it would be good if it were decided and the result accepted by all. Regardless, this decision binds the community for two years.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What arguments do opponents of street names propose?

Imgarten: They want to stick to their old district designations. They have existed for over 150 years. One has become accustomed to house number and district name and would not like to give that. Besides, they say it's unnecessary to change anything. The effort is too big, especially the cost of new signs.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: And what speaks in the eyes of the proponents of street names?

Imgarten: The better findability. Parcel services, freight forwarders and especially guests who head for a holiday accommodation would find it easier if they could orientate themselves to street names. It happens that the courier has to ask where a particular house is located.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Have there ever been major problems because of the missing street names? For example, advocates call emergency services.

Imgarten: They are gladly led. The rescue service tells us that it would be nice if street names were there, but it also finds any address without this change.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What do you think, how will the vote go?

Imgarten: I can not say that. Last time it was 60 to 40 percent against street names. At the moment there is still a lot of discussion, arguing that videos are being published on the Internet - it's hard to predict what that will do.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: And you personally? Are you for or against street names?

Imgarten: I want to stay neutral. We, the administration, will implement the decisions, but I would not like to influence opinion.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Are there any ideas how the streets should be called?

Imgarten: Some streets have already got names locally. Everyone knows which road is meant when you say Bäckerweg. These grown street names would probably also be put into practice. Incidentally, we would like to install the district names in the streets. For example, the road that goes through Wechold could be called Wecholder Ortsstraße.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What do the disputes about street names cost your community?

Imgarten: The implementation of the referendum is expected to cost about 5000 euros. The 2013 citizens' poll has cost a little less. The immaterial costs, the whole dispute, but I consider much more serious.