Köln

Jobs in

Köln

in the area of planning & geography jobs

How Cologne is convincing as a place to work and live.

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Köln
Federal state:
North Rhine Westphalia
Population:
1,100,000
Known for:
Cologne Cathedral, carnival, Rhine
Economy:
Media, chemistry, services
Quality of life:
Lively, Rhenish joie de vivre

Working and living in Cologne

Working and living in Cologne: Your career location for environment, planning and geodata

An overview of the city

Cologne, the Rhine metropolis with around 1.1 million inhabitants, is the vibrant heart of the Rhineland and one of the most livable cities in Germany. As a media city, cultural metropolis and economic center between the Rhine and the Ruhr region, Cologne combines Rhenish joie de vivre with economic dynamism. The city on the Rhine impresses with its cathedral as a landmark, an open and tolerant urban culture and a unique mix of tradition and modernity. Cologne as a place of work stands out with a diverse economy ranging from media to insurance to logistics, renowned universities such as the University of Cologne and TH Cologne, as well as a corporate landscape that connects international corporations with creative start-ups. Living in Cologne means Rhenish lifestyle, carnival, a lively cultural scene, brewery culture and a city where you quickly feel at home. For professionals who want to combine a career in Cologne with Rhenish serenity and urban diversity, the cathedral city is an excellent choice.

Labor market for environmental and planning occupations

The Cologne job market offers excellent prospects for specialists in the environmental, planning and geodata sectors. As a growing metropolis, Cologne City Planning is working on a wide range of projects from district development to conversion of former industrial areas and barracks to climate-friendly urban development on the Rhine. The city is pursuing ambitious climate goals and focusing on sustainable mobility, cycling promotion and the development of green infrastructure. Inner-city developments and the expansion of public transport are continuously creating new career opportunities.

GIS Jobs Cologne benefit from the modern geodata infrastructure: The City of Cologne's geoportal offers comprehensive interactive maps and geoinformation. In addition, the Cologne district government with its Geobase NRW department is responsible for the basic geodata, state surveying and geodata infrastructure of the entire administrative district and offers a wide range of career opportunities for geodesists. Environmental planners in Cologne find a wide range of tasks in a city that, as a metropolis with millions of inhabitants, must reconcile economic growth with environmental protection and quality of life.

Geodata jobs in Cologne are created not only in administration, but also at the numerous engineering offices and planning offices based in the Cologne/Bonn metropolitan region. Cologne surveyors are in high demand, as construction projects, infrastructure projects such as the expansion of the light rail system and the digitization of geospatial data are constantly progressing. Umwelttechnik Köln benefits from the city's role as a logistics and industrial location as well as the focus on sustainable urban development.

Vacancies in Spatial Planning Cologne include positions in the city, the district government and at planning offices throughout the Cologne/Bonn metropolitan region. Geoinformatics Cologne is scientifically well positioned by the University of Cologne with its Department of Geography and TH Cologne with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology. The proximity to Bonn with its federal authorities and UN organizations significantly expands the labor market. The unique combination of a Rhenish metropolis, proximity to important government offices and a lively economy makes Cologne an attractive location for specialists in the environmental and planning sectors.

Quality of life and infrastructure

Working in Cologne means living in a city with a high quality of life and a Rhenish way of life. The cost of living is at the top of the range, but below those in Munich or Hamburg. Salaries are attractive. Living in Cologne is challenging: The housing market is tight and rents are high. The districts range from central districts such as Ehrenfeld, Nippes and Südstadt to Rhine banks in Deutz and Rodenkirchen to suburbs such as Porz and Chorweiler. Many professionals move to well-connected surrounding areas such as Bonn, Bergisch Gladbach or Leverkusen.

The transport connections are excellent: As a central transport hub, Cologne connects all important German and European cities via ICE. Cologne/Bonn Airport is conveniently located between the two cities and offers worldwide connections. The city and suburban rail network is well developed, and Cologne Public Transport (KVB) operates a dense light rail and bus network. The Rhine with its cycle paths offers excellent opportunities for bicycle commuters. Cologne's work-life balance benefits from the Rhine as a lifeline: The Rhine promenade, Rhine parks, Cologne's green belt and numerous parks offer relaxation in the middle of the big city.

Cologne is a cultural highlight: Cologne Cathedral as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a lively museum landscape with the Ludwig Museum, and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, first-class theaters and operas, and the legendary music scene characterize the city. Carnival as the fifth season, the brewery culture with Kölsch, the tolerant and cosmopolitan atmosphere and events such as Christopher Street Day or Rheinkultur make Cologne a special city. For families, Cologne offers good schools, international educational institutions and a family-friendly environment. The Eifel, Bergisches Land and the Rhine Valley are right on the doorstep.

career prospects

Cologne's job opportunities for specialists in the environmental, planning and geospatial sectors are very good and benefit from the scientific diversity of Cologne's higher education landscape. The University of Cologne is one of the largest and oldest universities in Germany and offers excellent research and teaching in geoscientific disciplines with the Department of Geography, the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy and the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology. The focus areas include human geography, physical geography, urban geography and climate research.

TH Köln (Cologne University of Technology) offers practice-oriented study programs in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology with a focus on transportation, water management and environmental planning. This density of universities creates a dynamic environment for the career of environmental engineer Cologne and provides access to research projects and scientific networks.

Job offers for spatial planning Cologne will continue to increase as the city and region pursue ambitious goals in the areas of climate protection, sustainable mobility and urban development. As a major state authority, the Cologne district government offers additional career opportunities in regional planning, environmental protection and geodata infrastructure. The proximity to Bonn with federal authorities such as the BfN and the BKG as well as UN organizations significantly expands the possibilities. Professional associations and close networking between universities, authorities and industry offer excellent networking opportunities. For qualified specialists, Cologne is therefore not only an attractive place to work with a Rhenish lifestyle, but also a city with diverse career opportunities in one of Germany's largest metropolitan regions.

Top employers in Cologne

Leading employer for environmental, planning and geospatial professions in Cologne

Cologne offers a diverse and attractive employer landscape for specialists in the environmental, planning and geodata sectors. The Rhine metropolis combines city and district administration, state authorities, innovative Cologne companies, renowned universities and specialized planning offices to form a dynamic career ecosystem. The concentration of employer Cologne in the areas of geodesy, urban planning and environmental planning as well as the strong demand for environmental jobs Cologne and GIS companies Cologne make the cathedral city the ideal location for specialists in these industries.

Public employers and authorities

City of Cologne — City Planning Office
The City Planning Office of the City of Cologne is shaping the future of Germany's fourth-largest city and the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia. The challenges include housing construction in a growing city, district development, conversion of former barracks and industrial areas, climate-friendly urban development on the Rhine and the integration of green infrastructure. Urban planners, spatial planners, traffic planners, geoinformatics specialists, architects and urban developers work on a wide range of projects in one of Germany's most dynamic cities. Cologne Jobs City Council offers the opportunity to help shape urban development in a cosmopolitan, livable city with a Rhenish way of life.

City of Cologne — Office for Real Estate, Surveying and Cadastre
The Office for Real Estate, Surveying and Cadastre operates the Geoportal of the City of Cologne as a central access to interactive maps and geoinformation. The office is responsible for surveying, property cadastre, land regulations and geoinformation. Surveyors, geodesists, geoinformatics specialists, GIS developers and cartographers work here to provide geodata, manage the real estate register and develop specialized GIS applications for the megacity. The Cologne Surveying Office offers secure career opportunities with modern geodata infrastructure.

City of Cologne — Office for Environmental and Consumer Protection
The Office for Environmental and Consumer Protection is responsible for environmental protection, climate protection, nature conservation, immission control, soil protection, water protection and waste management. The authority is working on implementing climate goals, developing strategies for air pollution and climate adaptation, and is responsible for nature reserves and urban biodiversity. Environmental planners, environmental engineers, biologists, landscape ecologists, climate protection managers and immission control experts work on a wide range of tasks here. The Cologne Environment Agency is shaping the sustainable transformation of the Rhine metropolis.

City of Cologne — Office for Landscape Management and Green Spaces
The Office for Landscape Management and Green Spaces is responsible for urban green spaces, parks, cemeteries and Cologne's green belt. The office plans, designs and maintains the city's green infrastructure. Landscape architects, landscape planners, horticultural engineers and arborists work on the development of urban green spaces and climate adaptation through urban greening in a growing metropolis.

Cologne District Government
The Cologne district government is one of the largest state authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia and is responsible for the administrative district of Cologne with over 4.4 million inhabitants. It performs a wide range of tasks in the areas of spatial planning, regional planning, environmental protection, water management, nature conservation, pollution control, traffic and construction supervision. Spatial planners, environmental engineers, hydraulic engineers, nature conservation experts, traffic planners and administrative lawyers work on approval procedures and planning approvals for one of Germany's most important regions. The district government offers secure career prospects in the public sector with demanding tasks.

Cologne District Government — Geobase NRW
Department 7 “Geobase NRW” of the Cologne District Government is responsible for basic geodata, state surveying, real estate cadastre and geodata infrastructure for the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia. The department provides basic geodata, maps, aerial photographs and elevation models and coordinates the NRW Geodata Infrastructure (GDI-NRW). Surveyors, geodesists, geoinformatics specialists, photogrammetry engineers and GIS specialists work to collect, manage and provide geodata for the most populous federal state. Geobasis NRW is one of Cologne's largest employers of surveyors and geodesists in the region and offers secure career prospects in the state service with cutting-edge technology.

private companies

MWM planning group — Aachen/Cologne
The MWM planning group is an interdisciplinary planning office with locations in Aachen and Cologne, specialized in urban planning, transport planning, landscape planning and environmental planning. The office works on integrated planning solutions for sustainable urban development, district development and mobility concepts. Urban planners, traffic planners, landscape planners, environmental planners and architects work on projects for municipalities and private clients in the Rhineland. The Cologne planning office combines professional expertise with regional know-how.

Factor green — Landscape Architects bdla
Faktor Grün is a nationwide landscape architecture firm based in the greater Cologne area, specialized in landscape planning, open space planning, environmental planning and environmental reports. The office prepares landscape conservation accompanying plans, green planning, environmental impact studies and designs public open spaces. Cologne landscape architects, landscape planners, biologists and environmental experts are working on demanding projects ranging from infrastructure support to urban open space design.

PBS Planners + Engineers — Cologne Region Location
PBS is an interdisciplinary engineering firm with projects in the Cologne region, specialized in urban and transport planning, environmental planning and water management. The company is working on integrated planning solutions for sustainable mobility, urban development and infrastructure. Urban planners, traffic planners, environmental engineers and hydraulic engineers work on projects for municipalities and private clients.

RheinEnergie AG
RheinEnergie is the municipal energy provider for Cologne and the region and supplies the city with electricity, gas, district heating and drinking water. The company invests in renewable energy, electric mobility and the energy revolution. Energy engineers, environmental engineers, supply engineers, urban planners and sustainability experts are working on the climate-neutral energy supply of the future. RheinEnergie is an attractive employer with regional responsibility and innovative projects.

Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG (KVB)
KVB is the public transport operator in Cologne and operates light rail, bus and additional mobility services. The company is working on expanding the light rail network, electrifying the bus fleet and innovative mobility solutions. Traffic planners, civil engineers, electrical engineers and mobility experts are shaping the transport revolution in the Rhine metropolis. KVB offers secure jobs with social relevance.

Ports and Freight Transport Köln AG (HGK)
The HGK is the operator of Cologne's ports, the port railway and other infrastructure. The company provides logistics services, port management and rail transport. Civil engineers, traffic planners, environmental engineers and logistics experts are working on sustainable logistics, handling and port development. HGK combines tradition with innovation.

Research and education

University of Cologne — Department of Geography
The Department of Geography at the University of Cologne is part of one of the largest and oldest universities in Germany and offers excellent research and teaching in human geography, physical geography, economic geography and geography didactics. The focus areas include urban geography, climate research, geomorphology and cultural geography. Geographers, climatologists, urban researchers and landscape ecologists conduct research on topics such as urbanization, climate change, resource use, and human-environment relationships. The University of Cologne offers scientific offices in Cologne with access to research and international networks.

University of Cologne — Department of Geology and Mineralogy
The Department of Geology and Mineralogy offers comprehensive research and teaching in geosciences, geology, paleontology and mineralogy. Geoscientists, geologists, paleontologists and mineralogists conduct research on Earth history, georesources, natural hazards, and environmental geology. The institute offers scientific career opportunities with access to collections and laboratories.

University of Cologne — Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology
The Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology researches atmospheric physics, climatology, remote sensing and planetary physics. Meteorologists, climate researchers, geophysicists and atmospheric scientists work on climate modelling, weather forecasting and Earth observation. The institute offers research positions in Cologne in highly topical topics.

TH Köln — Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology
TH Köln offers practice-oriented study programs and applied research in civil engineering, environmental technology, transportation and water management. The Institute of Building Materials, Geotechnical Engineering, Transport and Water researches sustainable infrastructure, transport planning, public transport systems and water management. Civil engineers, traffic planners, environmental engineers and hydraulic engineers find applied research projects and teaching opportunities here. TH Köln cooperates closely with regional businesses and municipalities.

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