More satisfaction in Mannheim? Quality of life and safety survey!

More satisfaction in Mannheim? Quality of life and safety survey!

A current survey on the quality of life in Mannheim and the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, which was carried out in May 2025, shows a partly encouraging and partly worrying picture. The study, which was led by employees of the TransforMA project, brought together 718 participants, including 487 from Mannheim and 231 from the surrounding region. The result: 76 percent of Mannheim residents feel “very” or “fairly comfortable” in their city, but only half of those surveyed from the metropolitan region share this feeling. According to uni-mannheim.de, many citizens still have a worried sense of security.

The survey particularly highlighted the security situation in the city. While 56 percent of Mannheim residents say they feel safe where they live, the figure is only 39 percent in the metropolitan region. This difference can also be attributed to several incidents, such as the fatal knife attack on a police officer and a shooting spree, which significantly impaired the population's sense of security, explains Astrid Kickum, co-project manager of the evaluation.

Urgently felt problems in Mannheim

In Mannheim, concerns about crime, dirt and noise as well as social inequality are at the top of the list of the most pressing problems. Overall, 34 percent of respondents see crime as the most pressing issue, followed by 33 percent who complain about noise and dirt and 32 percent who point to poverty and inequality. In the surrounding region, however, the focus is on transport and infrastructural aspects at 37 percent and living and rental costs at 35 percent hs-mannheim.de.

The surveys are part of a broader initiative aimed at improving citizens' quality of life. A new project called “RegioRadar” aims to determine citizens' opinions on socio-political challenges. These anonymous surveys typically last about three to four minutes and are available until May 31, 2025. The results should not only contribute to improving the subjective well-being of the population, but also identify areas of action for future projects.

Links to other initiatives

The TransforMA project, which is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with around 12 million euros over five years, combines the competencies of the Mannheim University of Technology and the University of Mannheim to support the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region in transformation processes. This includes cooperation between science, business and civil society to develop child-friendly solutions. Universities and research institutes are often in close contact with local communities and institutions isi.fraunhofer.de.

Interested citizens have the opportunity to actively participate and cast their vote via the survey. If you have any questions, you can contact Astrid Kickum or contact the universities' press contacts to find out more about the ongoing projects and their impact on the region. The initiative promises not only a platform for feedback, but also a guide for future social dialogues and changes in Mannheim.