Uploaded on 2019-05-05 by Dr. Timo Munzinger

Urban Design: The most famous building in Cologne is the cathedral. Due to the massive war destruction, many buildings are from the 50s and 60s. These were inadequately renovated and maintained, so that the overall impression (with the exception of the cathedral) does not stand up to international comparison with other cities. The public places should be better cleaned and maintained. Private property owners should be encouraged to maintain their buildings through advice and support. Safety: Safety in Germany is very high by international standards. However, the untidy look of the city and the high number of unemployed (compared to other German cities) create a subjective impression of insecurity. A more cultivated cityscape can be achieved by structural measures. In addition, public paths and squares should be better visible and illuminated. A higher police presence would also increase the impression of security. Form of government: With a democratic form of government, I would rate Germany highly. Although there are other countries where democracy seems to work better - New Zealand, for example. This is more or less a national issue. At the local level, the involvement of citizenship could be improved.