Districts of Germany - Responsibilities

Responsibilities

The districts are responsible for the following:

• According to federal and regional laws:
  • The building and upkeep of B roads
  • Other building plans which cover more than one local authority's area
  • Caring for national parks
  • Social welfare
  • Youth welfare
  • The building and upkeep of hospitals
  • The building and upkeep of state schools of secondary education
  • Household waste collection and disposal
  • Car registration
  • Electing the Landrat or Landrätin, the chairperson of the district

• According to local laws: (differ in each region)
  • Financial support for culture
  • The building of pedestrian zones and bicycle lanes
  • Financial support for school exchanges
  • The building and upkeep of public libraries
  • Revitalisation of the economy
  • Encouraging tourism
  • The management of Volkshochschulen (state run adult education colleges)

All these tasks are carried out by local (municipal) authorities operating together. Urban districts have these responsibilities and also those of the municipalities.