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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

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, 09/01/2025

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

News, 04/29/2025

The city as a raw materials store – Why cities should act circularly

The circular city is not a utopia, but the future of urban living. Municipalities can and should set the course now – for greater resilience, quality of life and independence. Circular principles create ecological, economic and social added value. read more

News, 12/16/2024

The digital provision of public utilities & services is a shared task

Without access to digital services, it is difficult to organise many necessary tasks. The digital provision of public utilities and services is therefore a basic service for which the responsibilities of the federal government, federal states and municipalities need to be clarified. read more

News, 09/19/2024

Climate Adaptation Act – Everything can, little must

For the first time, Germany’s Federal Climate Adaptation Act (KAnG) provides a nationwide legal framework for adapting to climate change. It is now in the hands of the regional federal states as to whether this will lead to the municipalities being able to prepare for climate change in good time. read more

News, 06/05/2024

Without housing provision: essential basis for integration is missing

A long-term and independent perspective for housing, which ensures privacy and security, is an important requirement for integration. When they have strong and motivated partners municipalities can make a contribution to solving this issue. read more

News, 03/27/2024

Standstill instead of necessary modernisation of the Traffic Act

The reform of the German Road Traffic Act [Straßenverkehrsgesetz] has been put on ice, meaning the municipalities’ scope to implement future-orientated measures for the necessary transport transition has been blocked. read more

News, 05/24/2023

Deploying artificial intelligence is attractive for municipalities

Recent months have been dominated by the debates around the possible risks and loss of control caused by the rapid further development of artificial intelligence. At the same time, the potential is huge as is already shown today by its increasing deployment in the municipalities. read more

Press release, 05/12/2023

OB Barometer 2023: Refugee aid is currently the most important task

According to the OB Barometer 2023, refugee aid is currently the most urgent task for the municipalities. However, with a look to the future, the town and city leaders undisputedly name climate topics as the most important areas for action. read more

News, 03/23/2023

Impulses For A Change Of Thinking

Child and youth welfare services must remain capable of acting, ensure child protection as their primary duty and properly integrate future duties in terms of quality and quality. To do so, sufficient professionals are urgently required. read more

News, 03/23/2023

Impulses For A Change Of Thinking

Child and youth welfare services must remain capable of acting, ensure child protection as their primary duty and properly integrate future duties in terms of quality and quality. To do so, sufficient professionals are urgently required. read more

News, 12/07/2022

Municipalities: key stakeholders in a successful heating transition

The heating transition is imperative — for climate change mitigation, security of supply and also for the affordability of energy. For it to work, the municipalities will be given an important coordinating role. read more

News, 10/11/2022

Municipal budgets in the age of sustainability

Sustainable development in the municipalities must include budgetary measures. The socio-economic transformation will struggle to succeed without more purposeful control of budgetary resources and funding streams. In this regard, municipalities are reliant on partners. read more

News, 06/21/2022

OB-Barometer: Climate is currently the most important municipal task

The annual survey by the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu) shows that compared to the previous year significantly more mayors regard climate as the municipalities’ most important current area of action. read more

News, 03/11/2022

Europe is not a luxury: If you're not at the table, you're on the menu

For many German municipalities having a European network is still not a given. Yet, the municipalities should be key players! For only as part of a network can they help shape legislation, funding opportunities and regulations. read more

News, 01/27/2022

‘Kiezblocks’ for Berlin: thinking beyond bollards!

Barcelona led the way with its ‘Superblocks’, and Berlin followed suit two years ago with its controversial ‘Kiezblocks’ – a modern take on low-traffic neighbourhoods to drive the transport revolution and sustainable urban development. read more

News, 12/06/2021

Tackling big challenges in urban development policy and law

Climate change, the energy revolution and securing social solidarity require focus to be placed on the stock in the settlements and the consistent application of a suitable legal framework. read more

News, 08/25/2021

Climate change adaptation: Glory in prevention!

The recent flood disaster in Germany has made it painfully clear to all of us how essential effective climate change adaptation measures are. Prevention plays a key role. Preventive measures must be construed as an ongoing responsibility for society as a whole. read more

News, 05/28/2021

Climate change mitigation becomes increasingly important for cities

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, climate change mitigation and mobility are the most important points on the municipal policy agenda for the mayors of the German cities and towns. Urban development is increasing in importance. These are the findings of the survey "OB-Barometer 2021". read more

News, 02/18/2021

Town and city centres: Should we use taxes to control or shape them?

The townscape and cityscape will change after the coronavirus pandemic, and not in a good way. A regeneration of town and city centres will be necessary. Some retailers and restaurateurs will not survive the pandemic. read more

Publication, 2018

2016 and 2017: Spotlight on two years of intensive work at Difu

Publication, 2009

Making the Follow-up Costs of Settlement Development Transparent

Cost-benefit analysis tools and models read more

Publication, 2009

Cities and Towns in the European Constitutional System

Report documenting the Joint Convention of the German Association of Cities and Towns and the German Institute of Urban Affairs, Berlin, 28 May 2008 read more

Publication, 2008

Status Report. The Programme "Social City" (Soziale Stadt)

Summary read more

Cover: Circular land use management in cities and urban regions - a policy mi...

Publication, 2008

Circular land use management in cities and urban regions - a policy mix utilizing existing and newly conceived instruments to implement an innovative strategic and policy approach

Cover: Integrated Urban Development - a Prerequisite for Urban Sustainability...

Publication, 2007

Integrated Urban Development - a Prerequisite for Urban Sustainability in Europe

Background Study on the "Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities" of the German EU Council Presidency read more

Publication, 2007

Can Technology Keep Us Safe?

New Security Systems, Technological-Organizational Convergence, Developing Urban Security Regimes read more

Cover: Circular Flow Land Use Management: New Strategic, Planning and Instrument

Publication, 2006

Circular Flow Land Use Management: New Strategic, Planning and Instrumental Approaches for Mobilisation of Brownfields

Cover: Creating Favourable Health Conditions in Municipalities – Local Agenda 21

Publication, 2006

Creating Favourable Health Conditions in Municipalities – Local Agenda 21 in Practice

Cover: Planning for the Unplanned: Tools and Techniques for Interim Use in Germa

Publication, 2006

Planning for the Unplanned: Tools and Techniques for Interim Use in Germany and the United States

Publication, 2006

Public Private Partnerships: Principles, Opportunities and Risks

Publication, 2006

Public Private Partnership Projects in Germany

A survey of current projects at federal, Land and municipal level read more

Cover: Monitoring - German implementation of Article 10 SEA Directive and ...

Publication, 2005

Monitoring - German implementation of Article 10 SEA Directive and practice test of the regulation

Cover: Contents of the Environmental Report - Practice test of the German ...

Publication, 2005

Contents of the Environmental Report - Practice test of the German Building Act in six German towns

Cover: Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Development – A New Model Project of Experi

Publication, 2005

Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Development – A New Model Project of Experimental Housing and Urban Planning (ExWoSt)

Publication, 2003

Everything Anytime? Cities on their Way to Continuous Activity

Cover: "New Media" and Urban Development - Virtuality and the Formation of ...

Publication, 2003

"New Media" and Urban Development - Virtuality and the Formation of New Spatial Patterns in Urban Areas

Cover: Garden Shows: Motor for Landscape Management, Urban Development ...

Publication, 2003

Garden Shows: Motor for Landscape Management, Urban Development and Industry

Cover: Cover: Socially Integrative City Programme – An Encouraging Three-Year Ap

Publication, 2002

Socially Integrative City Programme – An Encouraging Three-Year Appraisal

Publication, 2002

Preservation in Germany and the Study on Cultural Assets in Europe

Publication, 2002

Migration Processes - Challenges for German Cities

Publication, 2002

Vision on ICT and Space - Vision on the relationship between Information and Communication Technologies and Space

Cover: Berlin 2000. A Selective Assessment of Developments after German Unificat

Publication, 2001

Berlin 2000. A Selective Assessment of Developments after German Unification and Prospects for the Next Decade

Cover: Recycling Derelict Land in U.S. and German Cities

Publication, 2001

Recycling Derelict Land in U.S. and German Cities – Transatlantic Sharing of Approaches, Strategies and Visions

Publication, 2001

The Urban Audit as an Instrument of Comparative City Analysis -

The Example of Berlin, Helsinki, and Stockholm read more

Publication, 2001

Neighbourhood Management - A Key Instrument in Integrative Urban District Development

Cover: E-Government and E-Commerce - German Experience in the Construction of Vi

Publication, 2001

E-Government and E-Commerce - German Experience in the Construction of Virtual Town Halls and Market Places

Cover: Contrasts and Parallels – Cultural and Political Approaches to Identity..

Publication, 2000

Contrasts and Parallels – Cultural and Political Approaches to Identity in Succeeding East German Generations

Publication, 2000

The Future of Work in the City

Publication, 2000

City & Region – Cooperation or Coordination? An International Comparison

Publication, 2000

Scenarios and Potential for Settlement Development with Economy of Space and Preservation of the Countryside

Publication, 1999

Model Cities: German Experience with Best Practice Competitions

Publication, 1999

Time Structures of the City

Publication, 1998

Space Demand and Traffic Development

Publication, 1998

Suburbanisation and Urban Development in Germany

Publication, 1998

Planning Cities for Children and Youth

Publication, 1997

Local Climate Protection Policy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Publication, 1997

Fields for Decision-Making on the Future of the City

Publication, 1997

Growing Discrepancies in Current German Urban Development

Publication, 1995

Major Cities and their Peripheries: Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Region

Tobias Klein

Department

Mobility

Research Associate, Project Leader

Uta Bauer

Department

Mobility

Team Leader

Sandra Wagner-Endres

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Research Associate, Project Leader

Ludwig Meißner

Department

Administration

HR Officer

Jan Abt

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Research Associate, Project Leader

Sylvia Koenig

Department

Further Training

Event Management Administrator

Cynthia Hofmann

Department

Administration

Finance and Controlling Officer

Jan Vohlmann

Department

Further Training

IT Administrator

Niko Hübner

Department

Administration

External Fund Management Officer

Marco Peters

Department

Environment

Research Associate, Project Leader

Robert Riechel

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Research Associate, Project Leader

Eric Bauermeister

Department

Further Training

Database Administrator

Data protection

Jan Hendrik Trapp

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Team Leader

Ricarda Pätzold

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Contact

Media library

Anne Klein-Hitpaß

Department

Mobility

Head of Department

Ulrike Vorwerk

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Andreas Weindl

Department

Administration

Finance and Controlling Officer

Anna Hogrewe-Fuchs

Department

Environment

Research Associate, Project Leader

Steffen Ehlers

Department

Further Training

Web Developer

Siiri Flatow

Department

Further Training

Student Assistant

Peter Gröning

Department

Further Training

IT Administrator

Kerstin Landua

Department

Further Training

Research Associate, Project Leader

Bettina Leute

Department

Further Training

Event Management Administrator

Steffi Hauschild

Department

Administration

HR Officer

Maic Verbücheln

Department

Environment

Research Associate, Project Leader

Carina Heinz

Department

Mobility

Cornelia Rösler

Department

Environment

Head

Christina Bloedorn

Department

Editorial Department

Corporate Design Coordinator

Stefan Schneider

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Research Associate, Project Leader

Sybille Wenke-Thiem

Department

Press and Public Relations

Head

Patrick Diekelmann

Department

Editorial Department

Editor

Katrin Adam

Department

Further Training

Assistant

Thomas Preuß

Department

Environment

Team Leader

Beate Hollbach-Grömig

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Wolf-Christian Strauss

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Bettina Reimann

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Team Leader

Franciska Frölich v. Bodelschwingh

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Thomas Franke

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Stephanie Bock

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Team Leader

Synke Wenger

Department

Administration

Team Leader

Ralf Winkler

Department

Further Training

Web Editor

Doris Reichel

Department

Further Training

Web Editor

Silvio Richter

Department

Further Training

IT Administrator

Ines Fauter

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Daniela Michalski

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Vera Völker

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Franziska Wittkötter

Department

Environment

Research Associate, Project Leader

Jessika Sahr-Pluth

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Assistant

Garnet Glaser

Department

Administration

Team Leader

Luise Willen

Department

Environment

Research Associate, Project Leader

Bianca Lüdtke

Department

Administration

External Fund Management Officer

Ivonne Jäkel

Department

Administration

Event Management Administrator

Martina Hertel

Department

Mobility

Research Associate, Project Leader

Institute

Emma Michot

Department

Institute Management

Martin Hofer

Department

Press and Public Relations

Matilda Sonntag

Department

Environment

Andre Loraj

Department

Mobility

Cecilia Buchner

Department

Environment

Judith Mülders

Department

Institute Management

Emily Schwab

Franka Franzen

Naomi Schmitz

Thomas Morawski

Department

Mobility

Irazleth Montserrat Martinez Gomez

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Gergő Hornburg

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Julia Henke

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Felix Zierz

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Laura Schöngart

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Janin Leis

Department

Further Training

Nils Trabinger

Department

Mobility

Lukas Zinnecker

Moritz Frese

Department

Environment

Bela Gudermuth

Department

Environment

Wiebke Hartmann

Department

Press and Public Relations

Michaela Müller

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Jana Lange

Department

Environment

Jasmin Koller

Department

Environment

Linus Goericke

Department

Environment

Benedikt Waizenegger

Department

Environment

Christina Ortlepp

Department

Administration

Elke Jumpertz

Department

Environment

Sophie Fedler

Department

Environment

Ines Teichert

Department

Administration

Marie Munzert

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Karoline Krenn

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Solveig Kahnt

Department

Institute Management

Jonas Schulz

Department

Institute Management

Stefanie Beiersdorf

Department

Press and Public Relations

Kai Jaeger

Department

Environment

Katrin Purps

Department

Administration

Linn Jansen

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Esther Biro

Department

Environment

Lisa Ruhrort

Department

Mobility

Nicole Rogge

Department

Environment

Nikola Hefner

Department

Environment

Rachel Bourauel

Department

Environment

Jannik Lohaus

Department

Mobility

Thorsten Geyer

Department

Further Training

Jan-Philipp Mesenbrock

Department

Mobility

Victoria Reichow

Department

Mobility

Ina Seegers

Department

Mobility

Miriam Aust

Department

Administration

Mascha Overath

Department

Environment

Sabine Wagner

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Felix Braun

Department

Environment

Elena Plank

Department

Environment

Lisa Dreier

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Bianka Kuznik

Department

Administration

Magnus Krusenotto

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Carolin Fischer

Department

Environment

Sarah Wolf

Department

Environment

Stella Radulovic

Department

Administration

Anne Eckelmann

Department

Environment

Gesine Stingl

Department

Administration

Stephanie Frank

Department

Environment

Annual Review

Luise Wiesenmüller

Department

Administration

Lilly Schnell

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Student Assistant

Julia Burgold

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Betül Türkeri

Department

Environment

Louis Gabriel Pfitzinger

Department

Mobility

Moritz Ochsmann

Department

Environment

Lilli Cohrs

Department

Environment

Alexandra Bensler

Department

Mobility

News

IT Administrator

Marcus Sielaff

Department

Administration

Technical Services, Caretaker

Maria Saddington

Department

Mobility

Assistant

Nele Meyer

Department

Environment

Funding Consultancy Officer

Katja Tschiersch

Department

Administration

Receptionist

Vera Gutofski

Department

Press and Public Relations

Assistant

Sinje Hörlin

Department

Editorial Department

Editor

Ludmila Galimzanow

Department

Administration

Administrator

Sabine Wacker

Department

Institute Management

Research Officer

Paul Ratz

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Andreas Butke

Department

Administration

Receptionist

Julia Krebs

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Assistant

Kerstin Wunderlich

Department

Administration

Legal Officer

Andrea Fischer-Hotzel

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Philipp Reiß

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Henri Bödeker

Department

Further Training

Event Organisation Assistant

Mareike Hansel

Department

Environment

Event Management and Funding Consultancy Officer

Susanne Puls

Department

Administration

HR Administrator

Martina Swierczynski

Department

Administration

External Fund Management Officer

Britta Czerney

Department

Environment

Assistant

Research Associate

Oksana Zakhariya

Department

Institute Management

External Fund Management Officer

Julia Diringer

Department

Urban Development, Law and Social Affairs

Research Associate, Project Leader

Anne Bahr

Department

Administration

External Fund Management Officer

Paul Simon

Department

Administration

External Fund Management Officer

Elke Bojarra-Becker

Department

Environment

Research Associate, Project Leader

Jennifer Weiner

Department

Further Training

Documentalist, Librarian

Taina Niederwipper

Department

Environment

Research Associate

Luise Adrian

Department

Institute Management

Commercial Director

Björn Weber

Department

Environment

Team Leader

Vivien Bua

Department

Administration

HR Team Leader

Luisa Müller

Department

Environment

Trainee

Bianca Behrens

Department

Administration

Administrator

Henrik Scheller

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Team Leader

Anne-Katrin Sielaff

Department

Administration

Administrator

Katja Kies

Department

Environment

Valeska Liedloff

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Student Assistant

Oliver Peters

Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Research Associate, Project Leader

Institute Management

Head

Institute Management

Head