Throughout Dessau’s tumultuous history, its transportation was first largely influenced by its position as an industrial powerhouse, and later by its position as a shrinking city. It first established public transportation with the use of the rail in the 1800s, which aided in the growth of industry in Dessau. As much of Dessau was destroyed in World War II, the city had to rebuild and had the opportunity to correct traffic issues. Post-war planning led to wide roads, connections from the suburbs to the inner city, and the implementation of pedestrian-only zones. Currently, the aging population of Dessau drives its transportation planning - they need a robust, multi-modal transportation network to best serve their largest demographic.
Citation: Image: "Bike Riding Twice as Popular in Inner Sydney." http://www.sydneycycleways.net/bike-riding-twice-as-popular-in-inner-sydney/