For centuries, Heidelberg has been a university city whose future lies in its role as an internationally renowned hub of scientific research. Of the city’s 160,000 inhabitants, about 40,000 are students and almost 40 per cent of the population are younger than 30. This has a strong impact on urban development, for example on the real estate market.

At the same time, the success of scientific institutions depends a lot on how attractive the research environment is – for example in terms of transport links and spatial capacities. To be able to collaborate successfully in scientific areas, policy-makers and administrators need to know and understand the needs of scholars.

From 2012 to 2022, the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Heidelberg was active throughout the city under the motto 'Knowledge Creates the City'. The IBA initiated, advised and helped implement urban development and architectural projects that are exemplary for the knowledge society. For example, it supported the development of a model for the Bergheim university campus. In addition to upgrading the green and open spaces within the campus, the model also takes into account its connectivity with the neighbouring urban spaces.

The City of Heidelberg has responded to scientific institutions' need for land in order erect new buildings. It has made former military land available for the university and for the construction of an innovation park for companies in fields such as information technology and artificial intelligence.

Its exchange with the university and other institutions is bilateral, as well as semi-institutionalised. It includes regular meetings between the Mayor and the heads of these institutions.

In order to keep young graduates in the city after they graduate from university, the municipality supports start-ups in a variety of ways, including pitch nights, during which start-ups present their business idea and come into contact with potential investors..

Within the framework of scientific projects, the municipality concludes contracts with the university for the mutual use of data, such as geoinformation systems.

To make the relationship between the municipality and locally-based academic institutions a closer one, among other things a strategic approach is required that institutionalises exchange formats. Policy-makers have an important role to play in making everyone aware that scientific institutions contribute significantly to positive urban development, and therefore require appropriate attention.

Closer communication also leads to the availability of information on locally relevant research projects, and the sharing of scientifically relevant data collected by the municipality.