Networks and cooperations

Together with our networks, we think progressively about urban development

Cooperation is an important corner stone of our work. Innovative urban development does not happen if stakeholders go it alone. For that reason, we research and work in a network: with various partners from academia, society and institutions of urban development in Germany and abroad. With our pooled specialist expertise, we support and advise municipalities in making decisions.

Our trademark is the practical basis of our research. Therefore, were have particularly close communication and exchange with our partners in the “municipal family” – the cities and towns, municipalities and districts. It allows us to ensure that our research is based on the municipalities’ requirements. Furthermore, we are in intense contact with the municipalities’ umbrella organisations: Association of German Cities (Deutscher Städtetag), German Association of Towns and Municipalities (Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund) and German County Association (Deutscher Landkreistag).

Essential for our research: the international perspective

In light of global urbanisation, international perspectives are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, we are represented in international networks, above all on the European level, contribute our expertise to the international discourse on matters of urban development and seize new initiatives. The international orientation of our work also includes implementing EU projects as well as contacts, informational work and activities of Difu employees with and for foreign delegations.

Overview of our cooperation partners (in German)