Solingen

The City of Solingen is located some 25 km east of Düsseldorf along the northern edge of the region called Bergisches Land and is part of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region in North Rhine-Westphalia, the western part of Germany. It is a member of the regional authority of the Rhineland. The city has an area of 89.45 square kilometres, of which roughly 50% is used for agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. It is home to around 163,000 inhabitants from more than 160 nations.

Solingen is one of the oldest industrial and trading cities in Germany and is known worldwide as the "Klingenstadt". Uniquely, the name "Solingen" is legally protected as a registered trademark for high-quality cutlery and scissors. To date, 90% of all cutlery companies in Germany are located in Solingen, and the metalworking industry continues to enjoy a high reputation. The city is also an important location for the electroplating industry, and the automotive supply industry and mechanical engineering are also important sectors.

Solingen is committed to the togetherness of all residents and in 2001 was one of the first cities in Germany to create a plan with tangible goals in all areas of integration. A vibrant civil society, extensive cooperation with associations, clubs and with migrant organizations ensure a high quality of life for all residents. Solingen also has much to offer tourists. Germany's highest railroad bridge, the "Müngstener Brücke", which together with 5 other large arch steel bridges in Europe, is to be designated a serial UNESCO World Heritage Site. The German Blade Museum and the world-famous museum "Center for Persecuted Arts" are particularly worthy of mention, too.

Since the establishment of the 3 D network in 2015, the city has been home to the strongest network for 3D technologies in Germany. In 2016 and 2018, Solingen was awarded the German Sustainability Award.
The award recognizes municipalities that are committed to the emergence of sustainable, innovative infrastructure in disadvantaged countries. The overall sustainability strategy for Solingen was adopted by the city council in 2018.
Solingen has the largest trolleybus network in Germany and its trolleybuses provide more than 60% of the public transport service as e-mobility, saving 5,000 tons of CO2 annually. The "BOB" (Battery Trolley Bus) project will develop a new type of battery technology and research how the approx. 100 km long trolley network can be used as a smart grid.