Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg is celebrated for its high quality of life, charm, and strong sense of belonging—residents often return and take pride in their city. It balances tradition and innovation, though this duality also creates tension. Long-established families sometimes feel threatened by newer, younger residents who push for modernization. The city hosts a university with 13,000 students, adding to its youthful energy. However, short-term thinking often overshadows strategic planning, and partnerships are underdeveloped. Bamberg aspires to foster a more inclusive and forward-looking urban identity while preserving its cultural heritage.

Despite its affluent residents, Bamberg’s municipality is financially constrained due to a narrow tax base and inefficient, opaque budgeting processes. Austerity measures dominate, and financial decisions are often made unilaterally, reflecting tradition rather than strategic goals. Politicians are reluctant to make bold, potentially unpopular decisions. Green policies frequently face backlash, perceived as overly normative or political. Trust in government has eroded, especially since COVID-19, with weekly protests and growing support for right-wing movements. Citizen participation is limited, and many feel unheard. While smart city initiatives are more easily accepted, broader democratic and green transitions face resistance.

Bamberg is working to reform its budgeting system to align funding with strategic goals and make processes more democratic and transparent. The city aims to foster cross-departmental collaboration and build a shared vision across the administration. Efforts are underway to engage citizens more meaningfully, even when it involves risk. GreenDEMO supports these efforts by promoting “bottom-to-bottom” exchanges with other European cities facing similar challenges. The initiative focuses on rebuilding institutional trust, encouraging openness to innovation, and supporting procedural reforms that can bridge the gap between tradition and transformation.