The StädteRegion Aachen is an innovative association of the cities of Aachen, Alsdorf, Baesweiler, Eschweiler, Herzogenrath, Monschau, Stolberg and Würselen as well as the municipalities of Simmerath and Roetgen. Since 2009 it has taken the place of the district of Aachen and combines many services around the themes of learning, living, social and leisure time with the aim of continuously improving the standard of living of its inhabitants. Since 21 October 2009, the StädteRegion has been the legal successor to the district of Aachen, which was discontinued and whose nine municipalities together with the independent city of Aachen form the new Städteregion. The StädteRegion Aachen, consisting of eight cities and two municipalities, stretches from the city of Baesweiler in the north over approximately 50 kilometres to the city of Monschau in the south. Approximately 2,200 employees work in the administration of the StädteRegion in about 1,700 positions. The former district hall (now "House of the StädteRegion") on Aachen's Zollernstraße is the headquarters of the StädteRegion Aachen.