Aachen residents express greater satisfaction compared to other cities.

Community life undergoes a transformation: - Aachen residents express greater satisfaction compared to other cities.

In Aachen, residents rate themselves as significantly happier compared to other major cities. This city in western North Rhine-Westphalia ranks third in a list of the top 40 biggest cities with over 200,000 inhabitants. Erfurt and Kassel hold the first and second spots, whereas Rostock, Karlsruhe, and Wiesbaden occupy the lowest positions, as per the "Happiness Atlas" of the South German Lottery (SKL). Five cities in North Rhine-Westphalia rank in the top ten, which include Aachen, Krefeld, Munster, Dusseldorf, and Moenchengladbach.

The survey, conducted by the Institute for Demoscopy Allensbach, interviewed 25,557 residents between January 2021 and April 2024. Since all cities were assessed at the same time, the impact of the Corona pandemic is eliminated. Instead of evaluating objective criteria such as income, infrastructure, or greenery, the survey focused on how residents view their quality of life.

When comparing the happiness index with the chosen subjective indicators by the researchers, people in high-ranking cities reported a greater sense of happiness than what might be expected based on tangible measures. According to Bernd Raffelhüschen, the survey leader from the University of Freiburg, smaller, cozy cities predominantly populate the top of the happiness chart. These places aren't particularly wealthy, nor do they boast exceptional welfare indicators, but they create a small-town and family-friendly atmosphere, often harbor a student environment, tend to be relatively quiet, rich in green spaces, and boast superior environmental quality.

On the contrary, cities such as Munich, Freiburg im Breisgau, and Karlsruhe - which rank highly based on the "Happiness Atlas" objective criteria - are in the middle to poorer positions in the ranking. The researchers discovered that family- and education-friendly policies contribute most significantly to residents' contentment. Next to these, factors such as healthcare, purchasing power, and environmental quality follow in significance, while a higher GDP, increased cultural and leisure options, or better transportation infrastructure have a weaker impact, according to the findings.

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1. Residents in Krefeld, another city in North Rhine-Westphalia, also show high levels of satisfaction, placing them among the top ten happiest cities.
2. The survey findings suggest that municipalities in Hesse, such as Wiesbaden and Karlsruhe, could benefit from implementing more family-friendly and educational policies to boost resident happiness.
3. Despite ranking lower in the "Happiness Atlas," cities like Munich and Düsseldorf in North Rhine-Westphalia continue to attract tourists and remain popular destinations for those seeking exciting cultural experiences.
4. Researchers from the IfD in Kassel found that smaller cities, like Krefeld and Mönchengladbach, often provide a better sense of community life, which contributes to overall happiness.
5. The SKL's "Happiness Atlas" has sparked discussions among policymakers in cities like Rostock and Erfurt, encouraging them to focus on aspects affecting subjective well-being and improve their residents' happiness index.
6. The survey highlights the importance of social affairs for creating a sense of joy and satisfaction in urban residents, making it a critical area for policy-makers in cities like Aachen and Minster.
7. Cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as Aachen, Krefeld, and Düsseldorf, have taken steps to improve their environmental quality, making strides toward becoming more eco-friendly and contributing to higher happiness levels among residents.
8. In contrast to Aachen's high rank, cities like Freiburg im Breisgau, situated in Baden-Württemberg, excel in various objective measures but struggle to achieve the same happiness level reported by Aachen residents.
9. The research suggests that cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, not only focus on tangible indicators like income and infrastructure but also prioritize qualities that foster community cohesion and improve overall happiness.
10. To foster a sense of happiness, urban policymakers may want to consider implementing policies that address social aspects and environmental concerns, based on the examples and findings presented in the "Happiness Atlas" survey.

Source: www.stern.de