Heidelberg is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, and part of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, the city is also the home of many renowned scientific institutions. The city attracts many tourists due to the historical flair of this university city with its stunning setting on the river Neckar. 

The city has an international outlook thanks to its iconic Heidelberg University. It is Germany's oldest university and one of Europe's most reputable higher education institutions, educating nearly 40,000 students each year. It is also the seat of four high-performance medical centres with over one million patients annually and revenues in excess of €1 billion. 

Heidelberg strives to be a dynamic, innovative and international city that uses smart digital technology to offer a high quality of life for all its communities and to protect the unique character of the city. The city has been a pioneer in many fields, starting with medicine and education, and intends to bring this outlook into its digital transformation. 

Heidelberg was a participant city in the DCC.