European Future Congress
The cultural landscape of the Ruhr metropolis in 2010
Zollverein colliery rail tracks / Photo: RVR/Maier-Jantzen
Once just a vision of the future, it now represents real structural change. In the two decades since its establishment, the Emscher Landscape Park has become the largest regional park in Europe. An international congress of experts looks at the park’s future as a model for the transformation of urban cultural landscapes.
Artistic skill and top-quality landscape design were used to systematically transform the urban core area along the Emscher River into a post-industrial landscape and popular recreation area that is increasingly drawing tourists to it. The quality of life for the residents and the quality of the location for business have steadily improved. Projects such as the Tetrahedron steel monument in Bottrop, the North Duisburg Landscape Park and the former mining slagheap Halde Hohenward in Herten/Recklinghausen have become landmarks of the Ruhr Metropolis and key elements of its landscape design. Now the Emscher Landscape Park enters a new stage with the reconstruction of the Emscher system of waterways and the steadily advancing development of the New Emscher Valley.
Taking place at the Zollverein World Heritage Site in Essen from 30 September to 1 October 2010, the "European Future Congress: The cultural landscape of the Ruhr Metropolis in 2010" looks to the future and discusses the Emscher Landscape Park as a European role model for developing a metropolis through open spaces. The programme includes in-depth discussions of the urban cultural landscape and new perspectives for the next decade of the park. The role of art and culture in the development of the park is examined with reference to the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010.
International academics and practical experts from the fields of architecture, landscape design, urban and spatial planning and the arts have been invited. The programme includes contemporary, visionary presentations, initial findings from "future workshops", insightful excursions and the integration of cultural events in the supporting programme.
Project sponsor: RVR
Partners: State of North Rhine-Westphalia, scientific institutions, universities and the 20 local authorities of the Emscher Landscape Park: Duisburg, Oberhausen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Bottrop, Gladbeck, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Herten, Herne, Bochum, Recklinghausen, Castrop-Rauxel, Waltrop, Dortmund, Lünen, Werne, Bergkamen, Kamen, Bönen and Holzwickede
30 September to 1 October 2010
Every day from 9 a.m. (all day)
Zollverein World Heritage Site, Shaft XII, Hall 12
For further information, please visit:
www.rvr-online.de