Dudelange, a dynamic city
Dudelange, the country's fourth largest city, covers an area of over 21.3 km² and has a population of over 22,000 in 2024. This former steel-making town has successfully undergone conversion thanks to its dynamism and diversity, and has experienced strong demographic growth since the industrial era, thanks mainly to immigration. The factories employed a large number of foreign workers. Today, the foreign population accounts for more than 36% of the local population, with nearly 114 different nationalities represented. All these cultures coexist in perfect harmony, making Dudelange a fine example of a successful multicultural community. Dudelange boasts a number of assets: a healthy environment, generous natural surroundings, the presence of high-performance businesses, a wide range of sports facilities, a rich cultural life and an exemplary quality of urban life. Community life is structured by a dense network of associations.
Culture
Dudelange is very active on the cultural front, and has been organising jazz and world music concerts for many years. The range of cultural facilities on offer includes the regional "opderschmelz" cultural centre, the Dominique Lang and Nei Liicht contemporary art centres, the regional documentation centre on human migration, the local history museum, the Musée des Enrôlés de Force and the regional public library. At the same time, major festivals and events are organised on a regular basis. Events such as the Zeltik (Celtic music festival), the Fête de la Musique, the Summerstage, the Eat, Beat & Culture festival, the Fête des Cultures, the Butschebuerger Buergfest (medieval festival) and the traditional & medieval Christmas market attract large numbers of visitors every year.
NeiSchmelz
The town is developing at all levels, and large-scale projects are on the agenda, particularly in terms of urban development. For example, the Neischmelz project is focusing on brownfield sites. This site steeped in history will be converted into a new passive-energy eco-neighbourhood, dedicated to sustainable development and including housing, jobs and public meeting and leisure areas. Against this backdrop, the Fonds du Logement, in partnership with the City of Dudelange, organised an international urban planning competition in 2009. This new eco-neighbourhood will link the Schmelz and Italie districts and form part of an overall urban development concept for the town. The project will transform existing structures in an innovative way, while respecting Dudelange's economic, ecological and social values.
