Innenstadt (Braunschweig)

The Innenstadt is the central Stadtbezirk of Braunschweig, Germany. The district consists of five formerly independent city precincts, and is surrounded by the river Oker and in area mostly identical with the medieval city of Braunschweig.HistoryIt wasn't until the 19th century, when industrialisation caused rapid population growth, that Braunschweig was enlarged beyond its medieval fortifications and the Oker. Therefore, up to that point the history of Innenstadt is identical with that of the city itself.From the Middle Ages up to the early modern period, Braunschweig's population ranged between about 15,000 and 25,000 people, making it one of the largest German cities at the time. Today 13,500 people live in the Innenstadt. Due to the city's growth since the 19th century, the district today therefore is home to just about 5.5% of Braunschweig's population, and makes up only 2.1% of its current area.During World War II the allied air raids destroyed 90 percent of Braunschweig's inner city. A small section of the Altstadt survived the bombing, and since the 1990s there also have been increased efforts to restore and reconstruct historic buildings that had been destroyed in the war.PoliticsThe district mayor, Ines Werner, is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.