Emscherpark – Industrial Heritage Done Right

Last weekend we went for a tour to the Emscherpark, which is meandering between Duisburg and Hamm, with an approximate length of 70 km (straight trajectory Duisburg – Hamm). The objective of this trip was to get a feeling how a huge and dispersed park can work. We are working on a similar project in the greater London area at the moment for or office maxwan, which sponsored this trip.

The concept of the Emscher Park aims at preserving the industrial heritage, weave a green-blue network into Europe’s largest industrial area and add a new identity as culture and design centre to the defunctional coal and steel industrial areas.

An interdisciplinary team developd the plan over a period of 10 years. The first stage concluded with the opening of the Internationale Bauausstellung Emscherpark (IBA), stage 2 (of 3) is in progress now.

The Park consists of several big attractors as the Zeche Zollverein and the Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord combined with distinctive parks. The best way to experience the park is to rent a bike and follow one of the designated industrial tours. Guided tours through the former coal production facilities are highly recommendable as well.

Our personal favourite was an indoor ski centre, an ugly infrastructure (camouflaging itself as an alpine village) sneaking up a waste hill. You can use the elevator and just roll up, but don’t get caught.

See a full picture seection below or visit our recently added photo area (which is still a little bit rough).