Situated in the centre of Europe, Nuremberg is one of Europe’s most capable and versatile economic regions. A wide range of sectors characterize the city. Nuremberg is a base for market research and call centres, the home of toys and writing utensils, the location of work on the energy supply of the future, and the source of high-tech power electronics and automation components for exporting all over the world. Here, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of the City of Nuremberg, describes Nuremberg’s numerous economic advantages.

In 1361, upon bringing the Imperial relics to Nuremberg for the first time, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV referred to the city as “the most noble and best situated city in the Empire”. What the Emperor appreciated 650 years ago remains one of Nuremberg’s fundamental assets – it is an attractive economic site in a prime location. However, where transportation is concerned, Nuremberg has long since left the Middle Ages behind. Thanks to the excellent infrastructure in Germany’s economically vibrant south, Nuremberg can be reached easily and quickly via trans-European roads, train and via thee Albrecht Dürer Airport.

Modern Nuremberg is a site known for its technology, industry and innovative services. With a population of half a million, the city is the core of the European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg, one of the ten largest business centres in Germany and home to more than 3.5 million residents. With a heterogeneous and stable economic structure and 25,000 companies, the regions is among the most dynamic high-tech hubs in Europe. It has a lively start-up sector as well as a wealth of global players and hidden champions in all of the high-tech and industrial sectors. It also hosts a significant number of dynamic service providers, modern production sites and small enterprises.

The investments made in Nuremberg signal the trust the corporate sector places in this business hub. Datev, for example, invested €100 million in IT-Campus 111; Conti Temic microelectronic spent more than €10 million expanding its research facilities; and TeamBank funded the €45-million construction of the easyCredit building.

Economic power and the dynamics of innovation
Around the world, innovation is becoming increasingly dynamic. As an economic region, Nuremberg has succeeded in meeting the demands of global markets with key future-oriented technologies. The strengths of the European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg lie in the IT, transportation, automation, medical, healthcare, energy and environmental industries. Technology-driven services and the cultural and creative sectors are becoming more and more relevant. Competences in key cross-sectional technologies including digitalisation, embedded systems and power electronics provide new impetus for innovation across industries.

With close to 10% of their working populations employed in the information and communications technology industry, Nuremberg and Munich compete for the two top spots among the 20 most technologically advanced cities in Germany. Core competences of the region’s ICT sector include communications technology, embedded systems, and open-source technologies as well as software solutions for automation, medical and general business applications. Nuremberg ranks third in the patent quota in the European ICT sector.

As the leading industrial segment, the energy sector characterises the city and the European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg. Revenues of €27 billion are generated by 14,500 energy technology companies with a total workforce of 111,500. Nuremberg has made a name for itself with its underlying expertise in power plant construction, power electronics, efficient building services, engineering and renewable energies. In Nuremberg, research and technology transfer in the energy sector go hand in hand with networking and incorporation. Coupled with the strong industrial base, this competence supports the turnaround in energy policy in the region.

The city and the region of Nuremberg are hubs for the development of transportation industry solutions that have become role models throughout the country, including drive engineering and automotive, railway technology and intelligent traffic control. These focal areas originated in the concerted efforts of enterprises and diverse research and development institutions based in the city or the region. As model regions for the design of hybrid locomotives, for example, Nuremberg and Franconia drive the use of innovative railway technologies.

A meeting point for the creative sector
Leading global trade fairs, including BioFach, Spielwarenmesse®, Embedded World, SPS IPC Drives, and international congresses taking place in Nuremberg provide meeting points for creative minds. Because of its good connections to public transportation networks, attractive conference venues and hotels, and ideal environment for side programmes, Nuremberg is acknowledged the world over as a highly desirable site for trade fairs and congresses. Including Hall 3A, the first trade fair hall designed by the renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects and inaugurated in 2014, the Nuremberg Fairgrounds offers close to 170,000 sqm. of exhibition space. Hall 3A was the first trade fair hall in the world to be presented with the Gold Award, the highest award conferred by the German Sustainable Building Council.

Always a step ahead in innovation
Nuremberg is where ground-breaking answers to the challenges of the future can be found – from ongoing global change and digitalised economies to the increasing scarcity of resources. Moreover, Nuremberg is the birthplace of talent urgently needed by the economic sector. The varied portfolio of studies available in the region connects natural sciences, technologies, the economy, the media, social issues and liberal arts across market segments.

Always with future developments in mind, the city relies on qualified young professionals to enrich its corporate sector with fresh ideas and a substantial amount of curiosity. This innovative energy is fostered by the region’s scientific institutions, universities and colleges and by Energie Campus Nürnberg. Application-driven research and development facilities motivate innovation in the economy in the entire region.

An industry-based research and development centre for the future-oriented energy and urban infrastructure markets is evolving in the western part of the city; professional research at the Nuremberg Campus of Technology focuses on Engineering for Smart Cities. This nucleus will be expanded over the next 20 years to include further application-oriented technical departments for Friedrich-Alexander-Universität-Erlangen-Nuremberg and will create a northern-Bavarian pivot for energy, environmental and sustainability technologies. In the medium term, Nuremberg will be complemented by up to 50 departments, 850 researchers and 5,000 new students in 12 attractive fields of study. The former AEG grounds will be converted into a high-tech campus – a home for technology-oriented businesses and start-ups. The resulting pool of scientists and creative minds will further boost Nuremberg as a site of high tech expertise.

Nuremberg’s success is based on balance
Nuremberg owes its energy to its balanced mix of historical significance, architectural grandeur, culture, and innovation – a novel, future-oriented mindset conscious of traditions. In opposition to the history of its role in National Socialism, Nuremberg has taken a stance as the City of Peace and Human Rights. Founded in November 2014, the International Academy of Nuremberg Principles is a global forum for cutting-edge topics in international criminal law.

Nuremberg is a great place to live and work amidst tradition and innovation, urban culture and intact nature. The city will continue to evolve into a capital of innovation for future-proof technologies and research and development to merge comprehensive economic potential with premium quality of life – the best prospects for turning opportunities into successes.

Dr. Michael Fraas
Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs
Contactwww.economy.nuremberg.de