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Event, 12/10/2026

Mobility Transition: Role Model Paris?

From school streets to speed limits, Paris has been transforming its street space through amibitious measures. Taking a look behind the scenes, the WebSeminar explores how the city managed to achieve these measures – and what German municipalities can learn from the French capital. read more

News, 06/22/2026

Local authority budget shortfalls and opportunities for a fresh start

Local authorities are under financial pressure: expenditure is rising, revenue is falling, and investments are not being realised. At the same time, there is growing pressure to organise tasks, responsibilities and funding structures. A fresh start is needed – but not just with more money. read more

Event, 05/21/2026

Is the housing of tomorrow in line with the SDGs of today?

Municipalities don’t just manage housing markets - they shape them. This session will show what works and what doesn’t: effective municipal tools, persistent structural constraints, and what SDG localisation actually can deliver beyond rhetoric. read more

News, 05/07/2026

BBC The Inquiry: Is it time to swap four wheels for two?

Rising gas prices can encourage people to choose bicycles over cars. However, this decision also depends on other factors, such as where people live and the availability of public transportation. Difu researcher Levke Sönksen discusses how bicycle use is influenced in Germany. read more

News, 04/08/2026

Clone of Clone of Local strategies required for handling data centres

The rapid increase in data centres requires an examination of the regional economic effects, energy needs and space management. Municipalities should help shape development at an early stage. read more

News, 04/08/2026

Local strategies required for handling data centres

The rapid increase in data centres requires an examination of the regional economic effects, energy needs and space management. Municipalities should help shape development at an early stage. read more

News, 12/12/2025

New visions of the future instead of constant crisis rhetoric

When political discussions are overshadowed by laments about a crisis, there is less room for shaping the future. What is needed is a redefinition of our narratives – and a vision of the city of 2035 that provides courage, guidance and priorities. read more

Project, 10/2025 until 12/2026

Impulses for the Future of Decentralized Cooperation

Difu explores innovative governance concepts for sustainable development through international cooperation and municipal partnerships. The focus is on effective tools and forward-looking initiatives in city diplomacy that promote decentralized international cooperation. read more

News, 09/22/2025

Against the silent danger: Heat protection – a task for us all

Germany is experiencing increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves: the early summer of 2025 began with temperatures reaching 40 degrees and two heatwaves, making June 2025 the hottest June ever recorded in western Europe. read more

News, 09/02/2025

Against the silent danger: Heat protection – a task for us all

Germany is experiencing increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves: the early summer of 2025 began with temperatures reaching 40 degrees and two heatwaves, making June 2025 the hottest June ever recorded in western Europe. read more

News, 09/01/2025

OB-Barometer: Finances are the dominant issue for cities

Difu’s annual survey shows that finances are becoming considerably more significant as an issue. Housing, accommodating/integrating refugees and climate change mitigation were ranked much lower. Democratic scepticism and right-wing populism were identified as pressing issues for the first time. read more

News, 08/06/2025

Public transport – what will the new legislative period bring?

Safeguarding achievements, implementing the coalition agreement – and thinking ahead at the same time: to make public transport fit for the future, we must maintain and expand services while finding viable financing solutions. read more