Transforming a Post-Mining Landscape into Liveable Open Spaces

The Rhine district of Neuss is one of Germany’s most densely populated lignite mining areas. Open spaces in the district are constantly evolving. Lignite mines shift, slag heaps are piled higher and some areas have been recultivated. Structural change will bring further transformations to the area; the open space concept will develop ideas for redesigning the landscape.

We created six thematic maps to characterise the area and show existing concepts and plans for the district. The open space concept will bring together these elements along with the ideas and needs expressed by local citizens, the district authorities and other stakeholders.

The participation process was launched in spring 2022 with a stakeholder workshop for representatives from the local, district, regional and state administrations, as well as stakeholders from the fields of business, planning and nature conservation. Grevenbroich, Jüchen and Rommerskirchen, the communities most affected by structural change, are the focus of the open space concept. Local experts and representatives from the three municipalities took part in workshops on the various process stages. In addition, a multidisciplinary supervisory group was set up to coordinate and monitor the process.

Over a three month period, almost 500 local residents contributed their ideas for a liveable open space development via a map-based online participation process. Participants marked out important routes for walking, hiking, jogging, cycling and horse riding. We also asked them for their views on the value and benefits of open space. What should the objectives be for developing the open spaces in the area? We mapped out 1,954 special sites and ideas relating to local outdoor spaces.

The results from this participation process have served as the basis for developing objectives for the open spaces and enhancing their current uses. Open spaces have great potential for improving quality of life for local people. At the same time, they can also help increase biodiversity and provide opportunities for innovation in climate protection and agriculture. This has provided inspiration for ideas and visions for the future of the district. How can the district’s characteristic open spaces be developed? The outskirts? The open landscapes? The spaces shaped by lignite mining? We presented these ideas and visions for the future in narrative graphics – a form that is easy to understand, even for people who have no experience of landscape planning.

Pilot projects are designed to transform ideas into reality within a short period of time and this can have an impact on the entire region. The ideas for the pilot projects were developed together with the local authorities based on the results of the participation events. The Open Spaces Future Workshop invited local residents to express their views on which of the pilot projects should be developed. This was then finalised in a further workshop.

In addition to the pilot projects, the open space concept will also outline other opportunitieis to make these visions a reality. The final concept is due to be completed in 2023.