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3.3.1 Emscher Landscape Park
3.3.1 Emscher Landscape Park
The concept of Emscher Landscape Park was idealised during the International Building Exhibition (IBA 1989-1999). The Emscher Landscape Park, which is being created over an area on 450 square kilometres, consisting of seven “Regional Green Corridors” and links a series of district parks. The park has a length of around 80 kilometres, and it is following the Emscher River. It is connecting 17different towns along the river valley. Among them, 3-5 cities belong to each green corridors, and they have joint planning, projects and measures for all (Metropole Ruhr, 2010).
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Figure 11: Emscher Landscape Park (Regionalverband Ruhr, 2013), Graphical Modification by Author
Realising the planning process and developing exemplary projects was the objective for the first decades (1989-1999) of the Emscher Landscape Park project. Establishing the implemented structures was the goal for the second decade (2000-2010). In this phase, the local municipalities worked continuously, and with public support, the projects started to create its impact powerfully on the region. The third decade (2010-2020) is aiming at rebuilding the River Emscher along with the landscapedevelopment in new Emscher valley in parallel (Lethmate & Spiering).
While the coal and steel industry closed down its production for good, it left behind a polluted landscape with industrial wasteland, spoil and waste tips, massive unused industrial structure; often they were located just near to the residential area. This Emscher Landscape Park project transformed those areas into a unique landscape of Industrial heritage, where more and more people are re-discovering their industrial culture every day. Former industrial buildings are an attractive location for living, working, studying, leisure or cultural recreations. Old factory sites,