Since 2018, we have been compiling the comprehensive Haselhorst Associates Smart City Ranking every year, which systematically records the progress of sustainable and digital transformation in over 400 cities. We analyze all German cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants, thereby creating a unique database.

The development of smart cities in Germany is an ongoing process. Cities must continuously adapt to new challenges and circumstances. Against this backdrop, our Smart City Ranking provides an in-depth analysis of the development status of individual municipalities, highlighting key drivers of transformation as well as current trends and innovations.

Thanks to the annual, continuous survey conducted since 2018, the Smart City Ranking makes an important contribution to the long-term observation and management of urban transformation processes. A look at the development of German municipalities shows a clear maturation process: while in 2018 many cities had barely recognizable approaches to targeted digitization or smart city concepts, this picture has changed fundamentally since then.

The development of smart cities in Germany is an ongoing process. Cities must continuously adapt to new challenges and circumstances. Against this backdrop, our Smart City Ranking provides an in-depth analysis of the development status of individual municipalities, highlighting key drivers of transformation as well as current trends and innovations.

The ranking serves as a strategic analysis and control tool that makes developments transparent, identifies white spots, and supports municipal and economic actors in the successful implementation of their journey toward becoming a smart city. In this way, we create a robust basis for data-driven decisions and the targeted planning and implementation of future-oriented measures in cities.

Further insights into the creation of the Smart City Ranking and the underlying methodology can be found here: