N a t u r e i n t h e P o s t - I n d u s t r i a l L a n d s c a p e

The Landscape Park redevelopment was guided by ecological principles from the start. IBA Emscher Park takes the approach that in order for the sites to be attractive to reinvestment by the neighboring cities and communities, the ecological functioning must be restored (a different approach than in Pittsburgh).

These guiding principles are from their from their planning strategy:

- Re-utilize land to prevent additional exploitation of "greenfields", or previously undeveloped land.

- Employ maintenance, modernization, and re-use strategies for existing buildings to extend the life of buildings.

- Incorporate ecologically-sound construction practices for both new buildings and adaptive reuse.

- Transform the region's production structure towards environmentally friendly production methods. (Source: EPA Case Study)

Image Source: Metropolis Magazine

In the case of the Landscape Park Duisburg-Nord, infrastructure that was severely contaminated was taken down, but the rest remains, and nature has been allowed to “seep in” to it.  In fact, in many cases, the reintroduction of natural processes (vegetation, drainage, phytoremediation, etc.) has been the solution to improving environmental health in extremely contaminated areas. 

The Landscape Park also demonstrates that carefully managed open space can be a viable brownfield reuse strategy, especially when contamination is a great concern.