As part of the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park 1989-1999 (IBA), the Emscher Landscape Park began planning the development and upgrading of brownfield sites in the Ruhr region. The industrial forest project was one of more than 100 projects.

 

The start of the Industrial Forest project was a visionary step by planners who were far ahead of their time. They recognised the need for structural change and sought new answers to the challenges facing urban areas. Today, the urgency is even greater as the area faces pressing issues such as rapid urbanisation, climate change and biodiversity loss. Creating green oases in urban areas is more important than ever.  

 

The goals included: 

● creating recreational spaces close to nature

● providing social and cultural spaces for all age groups

● promoting and protecting biodiversity in the area

● providing environmental education

● raising awareness of nature

 

With the intention of developing green infrastructure in former industrial sites of the Ruhr metropolitan area, a forest area was created with the aim of establishing a forest management that allows the natural succession of all plant species and only intervenes selectively. In this way, an urban forest was created at low costs. By making the once fenced-off areas accessible to the public and offering environmental education by the forestry administration, an important basis for public acceptance, trust and interest was created. 

 

Selected fallow areas were left to succession, which, following the course of natural development, purposefully found their way into a forest. The foresters in charge from then on only intervene selectively to ensure the protection of designated forest paths or to preserve biotopes that are important for nature conservation. A former transformer station was repurposed as a workshop for the foresters, with tractors, chainsaws and brush cutters. The “Forest Station Rheinelbe” functions also as a visitor centre, offering environmental education. In some areas on the former Rheinelbe slag heap and on Zollverein, artistic sculptures were integrated into the forest landscape. The new accessibility of the area for the population has increased the quality of life in the neighbouring residential areas.  

 

The project has met broad acceptance, which is not least reflected in the change of name. From a "residual area project", the "industrial forest project" has developed into a "valuable wilderness" (Wilder Wald). Low financial costs made it possible to implement the project quickly. Allowing nature to work and thus enabling the natural development of forests largely without human intervention is both a programme and a method.

 

Regular monitoring on scientific test areas in the forest serves research on the one hand, and environmental education on the other. The project received funding from the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Urban Development. An important formal instrument was a forestry contract signed at the beginning of the project, which was later replaced by a cooperation agreement between the two ministries. This enabled a quick implementation of the measures and made the area accessible to the public. The basic supervision of the project by the forestry administration ensured a permanently stable expert control and maintenance of the industrial forest project. The visibility and good networking of the foresters within the urban landscape also contributed to the success of the project. Over the years, collaborations with day-care centres and schools were established, who use the forest  for environmental education and nature experience. 

 

Overall, the implementation of the industrial forest project in the Ruhr region was a lengthy and complex process that required the involvement of numerous stakeholders and the mobilisation of financial, human and technical resources. However, this project is a forward-looking approach to addressing the challenges of urbanisation and environmental degradation in an industrialised region. By harnessing the power of nature to promote environmental and social resilience, the project offers a vision for a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between people and the environment. 

 

 

 

The forestry department, typically focused on forests and chiefly on timber utilization, has ventured into a novel domain, redefining the forester's role in urban landscapes along with apt team members on-site. Effective communication, both internally and externally, has increased the perceived value of the industrial forest compared to its initial standing.

 

Initially, the approach to forest management that emphasised natural processes was a novel concept. Prioritising social forest functions such as education and art, along with the provision of ecosystem services including temperature control, biodiversity enhancement, and water retention, necessitated innovative strategies. These strategies were typically pragmatic and non-bureaucratic, always keeping the interests of people at their core.

 

The implementation of the project encountered a number of barriers and conflicts. The project team had to develop new strategies to manage this type of urban forest, as it was not a traditional forest in the sense of natural and pristine forest ecosystems. 

 

It remains a challenge to find equilibrium between recreation, education and nature protection. The project aimed to create a sustainable and multifunctional forest in the city, which can provide social forest functions and ecological benefits. However, conflicts arose between these two goals, as some visitors wanted to use the forest for recreational activities that could harm the ecosystem.

 

Additionally, the increased number of visitors and their activities could result in littering or noise pollution, all of which can have negative impacts on the ecosystem. To address these challenges, the project managers implemented several measures, e. g. zoning the forest into different areas with different levels of access and providing education and outreach programs to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the forest's ecological values. 

 

Despite these measures, conflicts remain, and they require ongoing management and consideration. It is a daily responsibility to find the right balance between offering social forest functions and protecting the ecosystem and this requires the contestant presence  of the foresters as well as ongoing conversations  and collaboration among all stakeholders. 

 

The industrial forest project in the Ruhr area has provided several valuable lessons that can be applied to similar projects in other regions. One of the key factors contributing to the success of the project was the establishment of a simple, self-sufficient structure. For example, the forest station is equipped with all necessary equipment to ensure traffic safety. This allowed for a streamlined decision-making process and a clear division of responsibilities. In addition, the project was guided by a clear philosophy, emphasising the importance of the social functions of the forest and the protection of natural processes.

 

The foresters in the city played a very important role in the development of the industrial forest project. They served as key figures in maintaining the integrity of the forest, promoting environmental awareness, and working with the community to address issues related to the forest.

 

Another key takeaway from the project is the importance of environmental education, particularly for young people. By providing research-based learning opportunities, the project is able to engage children in the natural world and foster an appreciation for the environment from an early age. This will not only help to cultivate a new generation of environmental stewards, but also serve as a valuable tool for promoting community involvement and acceptance for the project. 

 

Ballke, O. (2021) NRWeb.TV – das INDUSTRIEWALDPROJEKT, 22.01.2021, 14:30 Uhr, Wald & Holz. Available at: https://www.wald-und-holz.nrw.de/aktuelle-meldungen/nrwebtv-das-industriewaldprojekt

 

Die Internationale Bauausstellung Emscher Park in Zusammenarbeit mit Sachverständigen. (1995). Restflächen in der Industrielandschaft - Eine Expertise zur pfleglichen Entwicklung der Landschaft - Gelsenkirchen, März 1995

 

Die UN-Dekade zur Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen (2023) Die UN-Dekade zur Wiederherstellung von Ökosystemen | UN Dekade Ökosysteme. Available at: https://www.undekade-restoration.de/ 

 

Günter, R., Günter, J., & Liedtke, P. (2007). Industrie-Wald und Landschafts-Kunst im Ruhrgebiet: Ein Handbuch zu den Zusammenhängen von Wald - Industrie-Wald - Landschafts-Kunst (1. Aufl). Klartext. Essen.

 

Industriewaldprojekt (2019) BDF. Available at: https://www.bdf-online.de/waldgebiet-des-jahres/2019/tipps-und-projekte/industriewaldprojekt/  

‘Industriewald rheinelbe’ ausgezeichnet (2021) Wald & Holz. Available at: https://www.wald-und-holz.nrw.de/aktuelle-meldungen/industriewald-rheinelbe-ausgezeichnet 

 

Kowarik I.& Körner S. (Editors) (2005). Wild Urban Woodlands New Perspectives for Urban Forestry. Springer. Berlin.

 

Projekt Ruhr GmbH (Editor) (2005). Masterplan Emscher Landschaftspark 2010.  Klartext. Essen.