Stadtkreis

Stadtkreis, literally city district, is an administrative division used in Germany to describe a city that is not part of any surrounding rural district (Kreis) and that assumes the responsibilities of both a municipality and a district. In such cases the city government handles tasks that would otherwise be performed by a Landkreis, such as regional planning, social services and other district-level functions, within the framework of state law. The term is used to distinguish these cities from rural districts and from districts that contain multiple municipalities. In many states the equivalent concept is referred to as a Kreisfreie Stadt (district-free city), and the usage of the terms can vary by state.

Administration in a Stadtkreis is headed by a city government, typically led by an Oberbürgermeister or Bürgermeister, and a city council. The council enacts local regulations and budgets, while the city administration implements them and provides public services to residents. The exact competencies and organizational structure are regulated by state law, so the precise powers of a Stadtkreis can differ between states. Some states continue to use the term Stadtkreis officially, while others primarily use Kreisfreie Stadt.

Historically, the distinction between Stadtkreis and surrounding districts emerged with reforms in local government during the 19th and 20th centuries and has been shaped further by later administrative reforms. Today, Stadtkreise exist in several federal states as the administrative form for major urban centers, embodying the urban counterpart to rural districts.