Welcome
Structural Change in the Ruhr Area
Shaft of the former coal mine Schlägel & Eisen, shaft 3/4/7 in Herten., © picture alliance / Jochen Tack
For a century and a half, the prosperity of the Ruhr region relied heavily on the coal and steel industry. However, the late 1950s witnessed a coal crisis, causing prices to plunge and the demand for coal to decline.
In the 1970s, the steel industry also faced difficulties, and this crisis spread throughout the entire region. As the Ruhr region's economy was predominantly focused on coal mining and related sectors, the crisis affected the entire region, making transformation exceptionally challenging. As a result of the crisis, many coal mines were closed, and mass layoffs occurred.
Education, culture, landscape preservation, and recreational opportunities had long been overlooked in the Ruhr region. The absence of universities and limited access to quality education and vocational training had been the norm, as they were not deemed essential in the region's past. The natural environment was fragmented and damaged.
Starting from 1960, greater emphasis was placed on education and the service sector. Neglected areas such as art and culture, research and education, as well as environmental consciousness and quality of life, gained new significance. The suburban railway and road networks were expanded to create overall higher quality of life in the Ruhr region. This was achieved through the development of new regional recreational areas. Efforts were also made to improve air quality, allowing Germany's so-called “black lung” to breathe again. The development program also included the expansion and establishment of schools and universities. The founding of universities and colleges transformed the Ruhr region into a powerful educational and research hub.
The International Building Exhibition Emscher Park (Internationale Bauausstellung Emscher Park) played a significant role in the transformation of the Ruhr region. From 1989 to 1999, it developed new uses for former industrial sites, mines, coking plants, and steelworks. Under the motto “Working in the Park,” new business and service parks, as well as incubators and technology centers, were established on former industrial areas. The green spaces, accounting for 50% of the total area, are particularly important. Moreover, a high architectural quality is emphasized. Many former industrial structures now house museums, studios, and exhibition halls, such as the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex (Zeche Zollverein), which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Gasometer in Oberhausen, or the Dortmund U, a former brewery building in Dortmund.
To connect the most significant cultural landmarks, the Industrial Heritage Trail (Route der Industriekultur) was established starting in 1999. This tourist route spans 400 kilometers and includes the most important and attractive industrial heritage sites in the Ruhr region. The network consists of 27 anchor points - locations of exceptional historical importance and outstanding tourist appeal. In addition to these, there are 17 observation points, 13 settlements, and numerous thematic routes within the Industrial Heritage Trail.
The Zollverein Park is located on the grounds of the Zollverein Coal Mine (Zeche Zollverein). Countless bicycle and walking paths lead along the former railway tracks to shaft XII. They are part of the Industrial Heritage Trail (German: Route der Industriekultur) that links tourist attractions related to the industrial heritage in the Ruhr area in Germany. The trail network connects museums and exhibitions that present the industrial revolution in the Ruhr area. It includes 400 km of road network and about 700 km of bicycle tracks.
Did you ever swim in a work of art? At Zeche Zollverein you can! The Werksschwimmbad was created by the artists Dirk Paschke and Daniel Milohnic in 2001 as part of the art project “Contemporary Art and Criticism”. The 2.4 x 12 x 5 meter basin consists of two overseas containers cut apart and welded together anew and holds 130 cubic meters of water. As a “social sculpture,” the pool thematizes structural change in the Ruhr region.
The water is ice cold but very refreshing! And in keeping with the cultural mentality of the Ruhr region, no admission is charged and anyone who can swim can do so here at any time.
© Werksschwimmbad Kokerei CC-BY-SA | Diana Blinkert / EMG
The illuminated escalator of the museum at the Zollverein colliery showcases the magnificent winding tower of Zollverein colliery shaft XII.
Operating from 1851 to 1986, the Zollverein coal mine held the distinction of being the largest and most advanced hard coal mining facility globally. Today, it stands as an industrial monument, symbolizing a significant economic era, and an architectural masterpiece that reflects the design principles of the Bauhaus movement. Recognized for its historical and cultural significance, the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.
© picture alliance / imageBROKER | Stefan Ziese
The Gasometer Oberhausen, located in Oberhausen, Germany, is a remarkable transformation of a former gas holder into a captivating exhibition space. Standing as an industrial monument in the Ruhr area, it proudly holds the title of the tallest exhibition and event hall in Europe. Renowned for its versatility, the Gasometer has hosted numerous grand-scale exhibitions, including two extraordinary installations by the renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
Beyond its impressive stature and artistic offerings this iconic industrial landmark serves as a vital point of interest along both the European Route of Industrial Heritage and the Industrial Heritage Trail (Route der Industriekultur). Originating in the 1920s, the Gasometer withstood the ravages of World War II and was subsequently reconstructed to retain its architectural significance and historical legacy.
© picture alliance / Jochen Tack
“Extraschicht: The Night of Industrial Culture” is a vibrant cultural festival that encompasses the entire Ruhr area Drawing in a staggering 200,000 visitors, the event takes place across nearly 50 remarkable venues spanning up to 24 cities, all within the span of one unforgettable night. Since its inception in 2001, Extraschicht has served as a captivating celebration, passionately showcasing and interconnecting the industrial heritage of the region.
This cultural festival was conceived with the vision of making the Ruhr area's industrial legacy visible and forging intentional connections among its various elements. It has successfully evolved into a momentous occasion that brings together locals and visitors alike, immersing them in the rich tapestry of the region's cultural and industrial heritage.
© picture alliance / Jochen Tack | Jochen Tack
The Innenhafen (Inner Harbour) in Duisburg, Germany, is a captivating district intricately linked to the Rhine River, spanning an expansive 89 hectares (220 acres). In its heyday, during the peak of the Industrial Revolution, it served as the thriving central harbor and bustling trading hub of the city for over a century. However, starting from the mid-1960s, the significance of the harbor waned, eventually falling into disuse for two decades before revitalization plans were set in motion.
Through a remarkable transformation process, this former industrial area underwent a profound metamorphosis, propelled by its inclusion in the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park (IBA) from 1989 to 1999. The blueprint for its development was established in 1994 by the visionary British architect, Norman Foster.
Since then, the Inner Harbour has evolved into a vibrant district that seamlessly integrates employment, residential spaces, cultural attractions, and water-based recreational activities. Today, it stands as a testament to both its industrial heritage and serves as a prominent highlight along the Industrial Heritage Trail, showcasing the region's rich history of industrial innovation and progress.
© Jochen Tack
The Jahrhunderthalle, situated in the Stahlhausen district of Bochum, stands as a magnificent event hall with a rich history. Originally constructed in 1902 by the Bochumer Verein for the Düsseldorf Industrial and Commercial Exhibition, it later found new purpose as a blower machine hall for the blast furnaces of the same company. Over time, the hall underwent multiple extensions, eventually encompassing an impressive area of 8,900 m², and is now commonly referred to as the Jahrhunderthalle.
Adjacent to the hall, in the picturesque Westpark of Bochum, lies the captivating water world adorned with the cooling towers, forming a striking visual composition. In 2003, the Jahrhunderthalle underwent a revitalization led by Karl-Heinz Petzinka and Thomas Pink, who tastefully added a modern porch to the structure. Since its renovation, the Jahrhunderthalle has become a versatile venue, hosting a wide array of events ranging from the prestigious Ruhrtriennale to trade fairs, as well as captivating concerts featuring rock, pop, and classical music.
This remarkable facility stands as a testament to the adaptive reuse of industrial spaces, breathing new life into historic structures while accommodating diverse cultural experiences for visitors and residents alike.
© picture alliance / blickwinkel/S. Ziese | S. Ziese
During the winter season, the Zollverein ice rink presents an enchanting spectacle, spanning an impressive 150 meters alongside the majestic coke ovens and chimneys of the coking plant. As the sun sets, an artful installation blankets the rink in mesmerizing atmospheric light, creating a truly magical ambiance. To further enhance the experience, cozy stands beckon visitors with a delightful array of refreshments, including steaming hot drinks and delectable snacks, ensuring that both warmth and indulgence are readily available.
Drone flight over the Zollverein coal mine
© picture alliance / imageBROKER | Jochen Tack
As the evening descends, a captivating transformation unfolds at the Zollverein coking plant in Essen, Germany. The chimneys and belt bridges, bathed in the gentle embrace of evening light, become a sight to behold. Against the backdrop of industrial architecture, these structures stand as iconic symbols of the plant's rich history and technological prowess.
As dusk settles in, the Aquarius water tower in Mülheim an der Ruhr becomes a wonderful spectacle. This architectural marvel, which houses the Water Museum, exerts an enchanting attraction at any time of day.
Nestled within the Duisburg-Nord landscape park, the fan building of the former Thyssen steel mill stands as a captivating architectural gem. This remarkable structure, infused with historical significance, emanates a sense of grandeur and intrigue. Once an integral part of the bustling steel mill, it now finds itself transformed into a mesmerizing focal point within the park's sprawling landscape.
In the heart of the Duisburg-Nord landscape park, a testament to industrial prowess emerges in the form of the former Thyssen steel mill.
Event at the amphitheater of Nordsternpark near the Rhein-Herne-Kanal.
In Dortmund-Hörde, a mesmerizing cinematic experience awaits against the backdrop of the former Phoenix-West blast furnace plant. Amidst this historic industrial site, a drive-in cinema emerges, blending the nostalgia of classic movie screenings with the grandeur of the towering blast furnace remnants.
Tiger and Turtle – Magic Mountain is an art installation and landmark in Duisburg, Germany, built in 2011. It was designed by Ulrich Genth and Heike Mutter and resembles a roller coaster, but is a walkway with stairs. The large sculpture stands on the site of a former zinc smelter which was shut down in August 2005.