How attractive are German city centres from the perspective of passers-by? Why do they visit — and what would need to change for cities to become ideal meeting, shopping, and recreational places again? The latest IFH passer-by survey (Autumn 2024, 107 centres) provides reliable data for the first time since the pandemic. Result: City centre usage is largely returning to pre-crisis levels, and shopping remains the top reason. However, alternative reasons for visits are gaining importance — with implications for urban development, retail, and urban planning.
Key Points at a Glance
- Shopping remains the main reason to visit city centres (61%), although its relative importance is gradually fading.
- Gastronomy, leisure, and experiences are becoming more important – especially for younger target groups.
- Pedestrian frequencies are stabilising, nearly back to pre-crisis levels.
- Cities receive average scores (Ø 2.5), but satisfaction varies significantly depending on city size and mix of offerings.
- Multifunctionality is key: Retail alone isn’t enough, combined offerings generate traffic and attractiveness.
- Cities need locally adapted strategies, as successful factors differ significantly with size and structure.
- Quality of stay, green spaces, mobility, and infrastructure are crucial for sustainable city centres.
Results of the IFH study
Downtowns almost back to pre-crisis levels
- Visitor frequency is now almost back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the study.
- The age structure of visitors reflects the population as a whole on average; the average age is 46.1 years — slightly younger than in the previous study.
- The surveyed 107 centres received an average grade of "C" (2.5) — identical to the year 2023.
Shopping remains the main motive — with slight decline
- 61 percent of respondents cited shopping as the main reason for their visit to the city centre. Therefore, retail remains by far the most important reason for visits.
- At the same time, the data point to a gradual loss of importance — the relative proportion of shopping as a motive is decreasing, albeit moderately.
Leisure, gastronomy, and experience motives gain weight
- Around 40 percent of city visitors state that they come to the city with the goal of gastronomy; among those under 30 years of age, this proportion rises to 44 percent.
- Satisfaction with gastronomic offerings is rated positively (average grade: 2.2); leisure offerings, on the other hand, are often considered expandable.
The multifunctional city center needs cooperation, management, and above all, solution-oriented stakeholders.
Anne-Kathrin Tögel
-- Director Department for Urban Development and Land Policy
Cities with top ratings: Winners in different categories
In various size categories, certain cities achieved above-average ratings — an indication that local factors and city structure play a strong role.
- Large cities (> 200,000 inhabitants): e.g., Chemnitz, Erfurt, Leipzig
- Medium-sized cities (50,000–200,000): e.g., Arnsberg-Neheim, Bocholt, Lüneburg
- Smaller cities (< 50,000): e.g., Brühl, Freiberg (Saxony), Landsberg am Lech
Consequences for cities, municipalities, and downtown strategies
Strengthening multifunctionality
Retail alone is no longer enough: To keep city centres alive in the long term, additional frequency drivers are needed. According to the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), targeted interaction between retail, gastronomy, services, public infrastructure, education, health care, and government locations is worthwhile.
Vacancy and infrastructure as fields of action
Market and vacancy development, parking spaces, mobility, local supply, and stay quality are key factors. Respondents emphasise: Pedestrian zones, greener and more inviting designs as well as improved infrastructure are central to the future viability of city centres.
Differentiated approaches based on city size and local profile
The very different ratings of small, medium, and large cities show: There is no "one-size-fits-all" model. Successful city centre development requires tailored strategies — depending on population size, structure, location, and regional environment.
Importance for municipalities, IHKs and politics
- Planning and steering: Urban development policy should focus on multifunctionality and ensure that retail, gastronomy, services, public infrastructure, and local supply interact.
- Creating framework conditions: Good accessibility — for example, through sustainable mobility concepts — as well as attractive urban design (pedestrian zones, green spaces, quality of stay) are important levers.
- Developing locally adapted strategies: Municipalities and IHKs should develop individual measures based on IFH data — depending on city size and regional characteristics.
- Understanding inner cities as a location factor: Vibrant centres are not only important for retail — they are also key to location attractiveness, talent retention, and urban quality of life.
About the study
More details from the study, an infographic, and information on obtaining the publication can be found on the IFH Cologne website.
- Relevant in topic:
- Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik
- Key areas:
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- Handel
Released 14.02.2025
Modified 25.02.2026
Contact
Anne-Kathrin Tögel
Director Department for Urban Development and Land Policy