The German Association of Cities was founded in 1905 in Berlin. Thus, a development at the Reich level was completed, which had been prepared since the 1840s by spontaneous creation of loose city connections at provincial and state level. At that time it was necessary to introduce and consolidate the idea of ​​self-government, which had grown up with Stein's reforms, into the state structure - a task that has remained up to date in their day.

In 1933, the compulsory association with other municipal umbrella organizations to the German community day took place. After its dissolution by the Allied Control Council, the German Association of Cities was formed again in 1945. His first representative was the then Lord Mayor of Cologne. Hermann Pünder, as "provisional chairman of the German Cities Association in the British Zone".

Tasks

• The German Cities Association actively represents local self-government. It fulfills the interests of the cities vis-à-vis the Federal Government, the Bundestag, the Bundesrat, the European Union and numerous organizations.
• The German Association of Cities advises its member cities and informs them about all locally significant events and developments.
• The German Association of Cities establishes the exchange of experience between its members and promotes it in numerous committees.