Away from big cities
Germany is more than Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Things that make smaller towns and cities attractive.
Topic of the week: New country life
New prospects
Susanne Dähner of the Berlin Institute for Population and Development explains why rural life in Germany is becoming more attractive.
Where the countryside lives and breathes
Many Germans dream of country life. Here we present three regions that are popular for very different reasons.
Yen for country life
Most people in Germany live in cities, but many are drawn to the countryside. Seven facts about a trending topic.
Böblingen instead of Berlin
Almost every third German lives in a medium-sized city - and the trend is rising. What makes small places attractive?
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Small campus, big opportunity
Close exchange, special subjects: why many young people choose to study at a small university.
Many small hotspots
The international cultural scene looks not only to Berlin but also to Kassel, Bayreuth and Recklinghausen.
Re-urbanization – small towns are back again
They don’t have the glamour of metropolises, but they do have quite a few good ideas: three little-known cities and their appeal.
Quick facts
77
percent
of Germans live in cities or urban areas.
15
percent
of Germans live in villages with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.
79
large cities
are to be found in Germany. These are cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
4
very large cities
with over a million inhabitants are to be found in Germany: Berlin (3.5 m), Hamburg (1.7 m), Munich (1.4 m) and Cologne (1.05 m)
9
people
live in Germany’s smallest independent municipality, Hallig Gröde.
44
percent
of Germans would prefer to live in the countryside.
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Urban versus rural living
Big cities are thriving and villages are dying out? The situation is not quite that simple. Here are some facts and trends about urban and rural living in Germany.
Where do we want to live?
According to a recent study, small and medium-sized towns are in vogue.
Direct link to citizens
Daniel Zimmermann became one of Germany’s youngest mayors at the age of 27. He tells us of his work running a city.
Germany needs more housing
Housing is becoming scarce and expensive. Cities with the highest rents, and how the state is promoting housing development.
Discover Frankfurt’s new old town
Impressive craftsmanship: Frankfurt has brought a piece of history back to life with the reconstruction of its old town centre. See for yourself on this 360° tour.
Lots of new neighbours
Altena has taken far more refugees than it was assigned, and has integrated them in exemplary fashion – even winning an award from the German chancellor in the process.
Germany’s smartest cities
Where parking spaces announce they are free and city maps show what’s going on. Welcome to the urban laboratory.
The city of the future
A short interview with Professor Dr Armin Grunwald, physicist and philosopher.
The reinvention of cities
People worldwide are being drawn to cities. Germany is preparing for this far-reaching change with smart solutions.
Renaissance of historic city centres
Pull down or rebuild? German cities long preferred the wrecking ball. But things have changed.
Housing in Germany
What is German Gemütlichkeit? Find out what a typical living room looks like and which piece of furniture is a must.
Discovering German living rooms
How do people in Germany live? And is there a typical German living room? Take a look here!
Long live the provinces
Not only Berlin and Cologne are worth a visit: if you want to discover the real Germany, you’ll find it in the provinces.
Where German people live
A glance at the map of Europe’s most populous country shows that Germany’s 82 million inhabitants live in a multitude of different towns and communities.
