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Address: https://www.dresden.de/en/city/statistics/municipal-citizen-survey.php Last revision: 01.02.2023 10:51:03 Uhr Printed on: 07.12.2023 08:55:20 Uhr

Municipal Citizen Survey 2022 (KBU)

In spring 2022, the City of Dresden approached a random sample of 18,000 local citizens and asked them to participate in its 14th Municipal Citizen Survey (KBU). Around 6,000 of those contacted actually completed and returned the questionnaires. This response rate of 33.5 per cent was comparable to that achieved by the last citizen survey two years ago. The City of Dresden thanks all those who responded for their participation.

The following thematic complexes were addressed by the Municipal Citizen Survey in 2022: Housing, financial situation, characterisation of the city, the environment, public security, urban mobility, community involvement, leisure and health, as well as local government and politics. Brief summaries of the results in a few key areas can be found below.

Desire for spacious and affordable housing

The citizens of Dresden continue to view their housing situation positively. The levels of satisfaction with accommodation are practically unchanged since the last Municipal Citizen Survey (2022: 36 per cent “very satisfied”, 50 per cent “satisfied” – 2020: 35 per cent “very satisfied”, 50 per cent “satisfied”). The survey respondents indicated similarly high levels of satisfaction with their residential buildings, and local residential environments again achieved an above-average score (39 per cent “very satisfied”, 43 per cent “satisfied”). At the same time, Dresden is for the vast majority of its citizens a pleasant city in which to live (22 per cent “very satisfied”, 55 per cent “satisfied”).

The availability of affordable housing was once more characterised as inadequate. The average scores recorded on the two relevant scales (1 “very important” to 5 “not important at all” and 1 “very satisfied” to 5 “very dissatisfied”) paint an unambiguous picture. Considerable importance was attached to the subject of affordable housing (average grading 1.7), but this was not matched by a corresponding level of satisfaction (average grading 3.2). It is interesting to note that exactly the same average gradings were returned by the 2020 survey.

It is furthermore conspicuous that the interest in spacious apartments remains strong. Among those with plans to move, 62 per cent named a larger home as their primary motivation. The second most common reason given was the desire to live in a home with more modern amenities (43 per cent).

Satisfaction with cultural offers and parks

The cultural offers in the city received an overall positive rating from the survey respondents. A clear majority expressed satisfaction with the city’s museums (10 per cent “very satisfied”, 41 per cent “satisfied”). Similar percentages were satisfied with the public libraries.

Dresden’s parks and green spaces are generally found to be well-tended (average grading 2.4 on a scale from 1 “very satisfied” to 5 “very dissatisfied”). An identical average level of satisfaction was recorded in 2020. In addition, the respondents valued the greening measures in their immediate neighbourhoods. In the city districts Loschwitz and Schönfeld-Weißig, in particular, the public green spaces are highly rated (30 per cent “very satisfied”).

Dresden’s cemeteries are likewise perceived as well-tended green environments (80 per cent). Many citizens are also in favour of converting cemeteries which are no longer in use into so-called “quiet parks”, which would allow these spaces to be used for recreational purposes (79 per cent).

Health and fitness are as important as ever

The majority of Dresden’s citizens described themselves as healthy (61 per cent “good”). Both physical health status (58 per cent) and personal well-being (61 per cent) are still rated as positively as in the past. School pupils, young trainees and students, in particular, are satisfied with their physical fitness (79 per cent). The vast majority of the survey respondents reported that they engage regularly in sporting activities (16 per cent “almost daily”, 39 per cent “2 to 3 times per week”). It is interesting to note that a large proportion of those in full-time employment are also very active in sports (11 per cent “almost daily”, 29 per cent “2 to 3 times per week”).

Mobility transition gaining further traction

Across Dresden, more and more people are going about their daily errands on foot. The already high proportion recorded in 2020 (44 per cent “daily” or “almost daily”) has increased yet again (2022: 48 per cent). Cycling is also an extremely popular option. A significant number of local citizens indicated that they use this climate-friendly means of transport on a regular basis (2022: 22 per cent “daily” or “almost daily”). One well-received alternative to cycle ownership is the so-called “MOBIbikes” bicycle sharing scheme. Most survey respondents have already come into contact with the distinctive yellow bicycles (79 per cent). Cyclists were also asked for their opinion on the acceptance of cyclists by other road users. The vast majority were very critical in their judgement (14 per cent “very dissatisfied”, 28 per cent “not satisfied”, 31 per cent “partially satisfied”).

Private motor vehicle use has declined slightly over the past two years. The survey showed that the local citizens are using their cars somewhat less frequently (2022: 22 per cent “daily” or “almost daily” – 2020: 28 per cent “daily” or “almost daily”). The number of motor vehicles on the road, however, has remained more or less constant (2022: 65 per cent – 2020: 66 per cent).

Full findings for reference

The findings of the latest Municipal Citizen Survey are published in two brochures. The brochure “Hauptaussagen” (Main Statements) evaluates and interprets the data collected by the survey and illustrates the results by way of informative diagrams, tables and maps.

Detailed statistical analyses of the responses to all survey questions are to be found in the brochure “Tabellenteil” (Tables). These tables provide a transparent basis for evaluation of the results according to selected socio-demographic factors and for each of 17 defined neighbourhoods (adjoining city districts with similar settlement structures).

Both brochures, and similarly those relating to previous Municipal Citizen Surveys, are available for download.

Brochure 2022

Kommunale Bürgerumfrage 2022 - Tables (*.pdf, 5 MB)

Municipal Citizen Survey 2022, german publication
Kommunale Bürgerumfrage 2022 - Main Statements (*.pdf, 7 MB)

Municipal Citizen Survey 2022, german publication

Dresden interactive

You can view selected results in the interactive KBU Atlas application. The presentation is on the level of the 17 city areas (summarized city districts) and shows the KBU data on the amount of basic rent, income and many other topics on a Dresden map and via various graphics in a descriptive way. The KBU atlas contains the data of all KBU since the year 1993. You can reach the KBU atlas with the following link:

KBU Atlas