NürnbergFürthErlangen

NürnbergFürthErlangen is a regional concept referring to the urban agglomeration in northern Bavaria that centers on the cities of Nuremberg (Nürnberg), Fürth and Erlangen, together with surrounding towns and districts in the Franconia region. The core cities lie in close proximity to one another, with Erlangen south of Nuremberg and Fürth adjacent to Nuremberg to the west.

Geography and structure: The area is located in Middle Franconia and follows the Pegnitz river through Nuremberg, with Erlangen and Fürth forming a continuous metropolitan corridor. It encompasses a mix of dense urban cores, suburban municipalities and rural districts, collectively functioning as a single economic and cultural zone for planning purposes within Bavaria.

History and development: The region has a long history as a center of trade, craft and science. Nuremberg, an Imperial City in the Holy Roman Empire, contributed to the area’s early significance, while Fürth and Erlangen developed as important industrial and university towns. In the postwar era the three cities grew closer in administration, infrastructure and research collaboration, culminating in the broader concept of a metropolitan region used for economic development and regional planning.

Economy and education: The region is a hub for manufacturing, engineering, information technology and life sciences. A key educational anchor is the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), formed in 1967 by the merger of Erlangen and Nuremberg universities, and supported by numerous research institutes including Fraunhofer facilities. The area hosts a variety of research campuses, tech companies and startups.

Transport and culture: The metropolitan area is well connected by rail, road and air, including the Nuremberg Airport and major motorways. Public transport networks link the core cities with surrounding municipalities. Culturally, the region offers a medieval historic center in Nuremberg, university and student life in Erlangen, and diverse cultural events in Fürth, contributing to its status as a major urban and economic center in Franconia.