Heidelberg is the most sustainable city in Germany
According to a study, Heidelberg is ahead of all other major German cities in terms of sustainability. The sustainability index includes economic, ecological and social factors, according to the study published on Thursday by IW Consult in collaboration with the internet portal Immobilienscout24 and Wirtschaftswoche.
For example, the city on the Neckar is home to Germany's oldest university, attracts many tourists to the old town and is also particularly future-oriented, according to the report. Heidelberg came out on top in the economy category because of its research institutes and efficient digital infrastructure. Ingolstadt and Wolfsburg followed in second and third place. Baden-Württemberg is also strongly represented in the top ten with Ulm (5th place), Freiburg (6th place), Stuttgart (8th place) and Karlsruhe (9th place).
The annual survey also compares the current situation (level) and rates of change (dynamics) of various indicators of 71 independent cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Factors such as economic structure, labor market, real estate and quality of life are analyzed.
As in the previous year, the state capital Stuttgart came third in terms of economic strength (level). Ulm, in ninth place, was another city from the south-west in the top ranks. Freiburg and Karlsruhe landed in 15th and 16th place respectively.
According to the survey, Freiburg is the most dynamic city in the southwest. The city from the Breisgau region came in 12th place, while the metropolis of Stuttgart, which is so strong in terms of level, only came in 57th place.
The biotech location of Mainz was once again the most dynamic in Germany. The Rhineland-Palatinate state capital once again benefited from increased tax revenue due to the success of the coronavirus vaccine manufacturer Biontech. Munich continued to lead the level ranking in the evaluation.
Heidelberg's economic strength, in part, contributes to its position as the most sustainable city in Germany, highlighted by its top rank in the economy category. The economic situation of municipalities plays a significant role in the sustainability index, as demonstrated by Heidelberg's research institutes and advanced digital infrastructure.
Source: www.dpa.com
