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

Zollverein Mine Shaft. Source: Deutsch Welle.

Prominent industries of the Ruhr Valley, and of the Duisburg region in particular, included:
- Coal mines
- Steel mills
- Coke smelters
- Chemical plants
Waste disposal – which included slag dumping – was also a necessary component of industrialization.

The area enjoyed great economic success throughout the early part of the twentieth century, and was utilized heavily during both of the world wars.   The Allied forces hit the Ruhr Valley hard during World War II, and various postwar reconstruction plans called for the area’s industries to be dismantled. 

While formal dismantling plans did not continue past the 1950s, industry still declined rapidly during the postwar period; by the 1970s, most industries were shut down, and by 1980s unemployment had reached 30% in some parts of the valley.

The Duisburg-Nord steel plant (occupying the current the Landscape Park site) closed in 1985.  The site included a steel mill and three blast furnaces.