Gelsenkirchen and Herten are well on their way to become InnovationCity Ruhr
Solar City Gelsenkirchen and h2-City Herten enter the finale together
Majors Frank Baranowski and Uli Paetzel
Gelsenkirchen and Herten's common application was shortlisted, so both cities are still in the race of the project „InnovationCity Ruhr“. This was decided by Initiativkreis Ruhr in Essen. Their competitors are Bochum, Bottrop, Essen and Mülheim.
Major of Gelsenkirchen Frank Baranowski and his counterpart from Herten Dr. Uli Paetzel were glad to have come so far:
"It turned out that both cities are well-positioned in regard to future energies. We are happy to be supported by RAG Montanimmobilien."
The pilot area is located around the former mine Lippe and includes the districts of Hassel, Scholven, Buer, Bertlich, Westerholt, Paschenberg, Langenbochum and Herten-Mitte. Its structure is ideal in terms of population, muli-centricity, basic structure of buildings, housing developments and open spaces.
The area is characteristic for the structural change of the Ruhr and needs various measures, from energy-efficient renovations to appealing designs.
Besides their technical knowledge both cities are supported by the energetic and open-minded population.
Geographic center is mine Westerholt, closed in 2008, which is located on the administrative areas of Gelsenkirchen and Herten. The concept drafts plenty of potentials for urban development such as the construction of educational institutions for technological innovations, a location for "green industry" and the coversion of a former brownfield into a nice park amongst others. Further, a new stop in the railroad track between Muenster and Essen is to be built and the mining waste dump in Scholven is to be prepared for wind energy.
"We are looking forward to taking the one-time chance to get the subsidies and private investments to our cities" declared the two majors.
Source: City of Gelsenkirchen