Creative.Quarters

The driving force and source of inspiration here come from the various segments of the creative economy. They play a central role in this process of transformation. In collaboration with the municipal authorities and business development institutions of the Ruhr Metropolis, the ideal conditions are being established on behalf and - importantly - with the involvement of those actively involved in the creative economy. Ultimately, all major metropolises have one thing in common - they tend to exert a strong attraction on creative individuals and artists, motivating them to stay.

"Creative.Quarters" has been developed to encourage this process of urban renewal for the Ruhr Metropolis. The energy for the project comes from the collaboration of numerous partners. Ten cities have each set up a "Round Table" comprising all relevant local authority departments and representatives of the local creative industry. Communal urban areas are being defined in these bodies that are suitable for development as "Creative.Quarters". And empty premises are to be made accessible for use by artists and other creative talents without lengthy bureaucratic delays. These new urban areas will be publicised and discussed on the Internet. This will enable artists from all over Europe to be actively involved in this process, and it will also be possible for them to rent locations specially tailored to the requirements of their activity.

A few concrete examples reveal what lies behind the "Creative.Quarters" concept:

Dortmund

Kreativ.Quartier im Werden / photo: RUHR.2010

The Dortmund U, which covers an area of 80,000 square metres, is being established as the first centre for creative industries - primarily music and media arts. This is to be the focal point of exploration of new synergies resulting from the convergence of art, culture, the economy and education, thereby attracting international attention on the region. The Dortmund U stands atop this centre that will function as an experiential and experimental site for culture and the creative economy. The U tower is a symbol of fundamental regional change and an icon of present and, in particular, future trends in the creative economy.

Essen

In Essen there are two available areas - "creative quarters" - being developed by the creative industry. Ideally located between Essen and Düsseldorf and situated directly on a reservoir of the Ruhr, Scheidt'sche Hallen, a former worsted spinning mill in Essen-Kettwig, is suitable for knowledge-based service providers from the areas of advertising and communication. A concept for conversion of the mill sheds has been developed in a series of workshops with experts from the advertising industry.

And the former Wohlverwahrt colliery in the district of Essen-Steele has been transformed into the "Ruhr Musik Wohlverwahrt" site. The concept of artist Andreas Rochholl envisages a transformation of the former colliery into a regional venue for music, dance and festivals.

Bochum

Gelände City Tor Süd / Foto: RUHR.2010

A metropolis lives through its creative quarters and more highly charged urban spaces. In Bochum there are several areas that offer points of contact for the creative economy and where development is being driven forward.  In parts of the city such as Ehrenfeld, you can find private initiatives that have focused on the promotion of their district. The theme of "music" is being promoted around the old Prinz Regent colliery, and creative artists and companies are contributing actively to the revitalisation of the City Tor Süd area. It is also planned to involve the universities in Bochum and their student bodies more closely and link them to the Ruhr Metropolis.

Dinslaken

Lohberg colliery, Dinslaken / photo: Felix Engel/Silke Pollack

The Lohberg colliery in Dinslaken ceased production in 2005 after roughly 100 years of existence. The area is ideally suitable for sustainable and independent economic development. Whereas the creative economy tends to be seen as a phenomenon of major cities and conurbations, the example of the Lohberg colliery illustrates clearly that it can also be a driver of economic renewal on a smaller scale. Dinslaken with the Lohberg colliery provides an ideal example of what can be done with the right approach, answering questions such as: What characterises the creative economy in areas that lie between provincial and metropolitan? How does the creative economy fit in with the everyday life of smaller and medium-sized towns? What contribution can it make to the processes of cultural and economic modernisation? And indeed, such issues relating to the creative industry in the regions are now being discussed for the first time in Lohberg.

From Spring 2010 you can find out about the project, the ten involved towns and cities and the first premises assigned to creative artists at
www.2010lab.tv

The Creative.Quarters Project is sponsored by the Wirtschaftsförderung metropoleruhr GmbH business development institute and the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia.