The reason
Saarbrücken has 200,000 residents, the Stadtverband (the region) 300,000. The inner city of Saarbrücken holds four districts (the city originated from the twons of Saarbrücken, St. Johann, Malstatt and Burbach, which grew together). As the regional capital, the city is strong in retail, services, administration, education and leisure time activities

Saarbrücken is an Objective-2 area for the European Union. Most of the former mines and former steel industries collapsed. The city has experienced a decline in population for years. There are a couple of areas of deprivation, with Burbach as the largest concentration of social problems of the city. Although Saarbrücken housed the steel industry, it has always been more of a commercial centre and administrative city. The heavier industry was located downstream in towns such as Völklingen, and Dillingen, respectively in the North or East (Neunkirchen, St. Ingbert, Homburg /Saar). Except for Burbach and rural communities in the North (commuters), with altogether 5,000 layoffs in 15 years, most of Saarbrücken did not suffer directly from the steel industry’s collapse.

Saarbrücken has numerous white collar jobs, but 60 % of the people who work there, do not live there. There is a problem of selective migration. People, mostly families with children, 35+, second child, higher income move out of the city centre to the periphery, for instance south to the suburban residential areas. However, even though apartments are small and often not meeting modern standards, the city centre still attracts people who seek culture and accept smaller apartments. For families with children, there is hardly any supply though. Also, there is a widespread culture to build one’s own house in Saarland. The city wishes to bind people who work here. Actually, one of the few new housing sites in Saarbrücken’s inner periphery, the Artillery Barracks, offers the possibility to build an own house on a plot of land, in an attempt to bind families to the city’s population. (Actually, the original plan was for commerce and leisure. Newcastle and the ReUrbA inspired the city to build more housing here.)

In the field of promoting economic growth in the second sector (production, trade), Saarbrücken focuses on retaining business in the city area, preventing them from moving to nearby France or rural communities in the North. Just across the German / French border, commercial / industrial land costs only 10 – 15 % of what it would cost in Saarbrücken. Also trained, but cheaper labour force is available. The French stopped with coal mining in 2000 (whereas in Saarland there is still mining going on), so there are many former minig workers which offer skills, that are in demand in construction or car suppliers. Also construction and building material are cheaper. Many Saarland companies move as far as 15 km beyond the border. On the other hand, roughly 20.000 commuters come from France to work in the Saarland every day. Saarbrücken’s strategy is to compete on added value of developped land, not on price. Therefore, the City does not seek development all at once and of uniform sites. Instead, it develops sophisticated sites as the Saarterrassen, aw hallen or IT Park Saarland. The tactic is to develop atmosphere, synergies and image.

Saarbrücken has the problem that is has no clear niche profile in the larger region (Metz = The city of Light, an architectuarl gem; Luxembourg = Finances, media, EU; Trier = oldest German City, the Roman heritage; archbishopric; tourism). Also, while projects have been going on at the edge of the city, such as the Saarterassen, the inner city has been neglected for over 10 years. Metz did invest in its inner city; with the result that today it is a tourist magnet. It is clear that mobility is growing and allows people in the region to make more widespread choices. 20% of the shoppers in Saarbrücken are French (in some electronic stores up to 40 %), because CDs, electronic goods and long term goods are cheaper in Germany. Then again, many people go from Saarbrücken to France for purchasing wine, cider, pâté, vegetables and fruits; even though it is more expensive. People go and buy them because of their better quality.

Also, Saarbrücken is losing its influence in the region. Formerly, there were many insurance companies, but many of them left. The Daimler Chrysler’s SMART factory decided to locate close to the 20 km afar French village Hambach, rather than in Saarbrücken. One of the city’s three theatres is now about to close. The second on is going to cut down its range of archtistic disciplines. However, Saarbrücken still has importance, because it is the government capital. Also, the new TGV connection from Frankfurt to Paris might create new economic support. Deutsche Bahn is planning to rebuild the old train station hall. Also, an important asset is the Saarbrücken University. It has 20,000 students who mostly come from the region. It is a typical commuter university, which lies north of the city, in the forest area. It is the number one university in computer science in Germany. It is going to be remodeled from a traditional full-scale university into a specialized one with its focus on nature science and enigineerings.

Saarbrücken’s most important assets are:
• the only first grade centre (“Oberzentrum” / “Central Place”) in the Saarland (Seat of government, administration, education, retail, culture)
• French or Mediterranean lifestyle, lively cafe-culture due to high density of cafes, bars and ‘Kneipen’; many openings of pubs, clubs and intermedium use venues in the last 18 months
• series of festivals that attract thousands of people from France and the German part of the Region: Saar Spektakel, Altstadtfest, Nauwieser-Viertel-Fest, Verkaufsoffene Sonntage (some of national significance: Max Ophüls Fol Festival, Perspectives French Theatre)
• attractive natural resources around the city (mixture of forest and open architectural land)
• proximity to France (leisure time, shopping for quality food)

South-western Germany culture is easy going. As said, people like to build their own houses, and to own their house with a garden. This, to a certain extent, has historic reasons: In the 18th century, the Prussian minig administration granted special loans as well as benefit payments to its workers so they would built their own house (according to standardized plans), the so called “Prämien Houses”. They were intended to reward miners, but also to make them more loyal to the Minig Company. A major difference with France, Great Britain and other German Mining and Industrial areas, where miners used to live as tenants in settlements that the mining companies had built. The Prussian mentality was to stimulate ownership. Also, because of the century-long tradition of the Saarland as a site for heavy industry and minig, the labour force is still very skilled in all kinds of trade. Especially in the rural areas, many build their house on their own, with the help of friends, collegues and neighbours. It is important to have ample space around its premises.