Gelsenkirchen Germany - The City of Attractions

Gelsenkirchen, Germany is a city with ambitious plans to improve its quality of life. It has joined the United Nations Agenda 2030 and is committed to implementing sustainable development principles at the municipal level. In addition, the city features a harness racing track and theme park with attractions inspired by films and TV shows, such as a 4D cinema show, time travel ride and Old West town.

History

Gelsenkirchen is one of the main hubs for production and services in North Rhine-Westphalia. It's an important industrial city with excellent infrastructure. Gelsenkirchen was the largest coal mining town in Europe during the early 20th century. Due to its nightly burning of mine gases, Gelsenkirchen earned itself the nickname "the city of a thousand fires”. From 1920, employment in the coal, iron and steel industries saw a precipitous decline. This was especially devastating for Gelsenkirchen, whose economy relied heavily on these sectors.

The town's unemployment rate is high, and its population has decreased since 1960. Furthermore, it's a highly multicultural city, with more than half its inhabitants hailing from non-German backgrounds. At the 2000 census, Gelsenkirchen had an estimated population of 259,700 individuals. Of this number, 71,000 were of non-German ethnicity or origin. Gelsenkirchen is home to an abundance of German nationals, the three predominant groups being Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. Despite this diversity, most residents of Gelsenkirchen identify themselves as ethnic Germans. As a result, most public institutions, schools, and other cultural organizations within the city are German-run.

Gelsenkirchen recently experienced a dramatic shift in its political party landscape. On September 13th, the SPD, which had long held the majority of votes here, fared poorly, taking in just 35 percent of the vote. Conversely, smaller parties experienced an uptick in their relative strength. For instance, the Greens saw their support surge from 6 percent in 2014 to 12 percent by 2016. The AfD, a relatively new political force in Germany, performed well, garnering 13 percent of the vote. Like other parties across Germany, they are banking on disenchantment with traditional politics--and they hope to send a message to the SPD. Many of the people I spoke to in Gelsenkirchen were born and raised elsewhere, yet felt their lives weren't being sufficiently represented by traditional parties. They said they needed a party that reflected their values.

Economy

In 1840, coal mining began in Gelsenkirchen. This transformed the region and made it one of Europe's foremost heavy industries. Later on in the 19th century, steel production also played a significant role in local economies. A shift from large industrial companies to more manageable, robust small businesses, start-ups and the development of a digital network is currently reinvigorating the city's economy. Furthermore, creation of regional green corridors and expansion of cycle paths on former railway lines are increasing environmental awareness. Gelsenkirchen's economic success can be attributed to its proximity to the Ruhr river and position in Germany's northernmost state, North Rhine-Westphalia. The area boasts several international companies as well as an encouraging export-oriented business climate. 

Gelsenkirchen's low incomes and high unemployment have drawn criticism. A recent survey revealed that it ranks as Germany's lowest-income city, boasting one of the highest rates of child poverty, making it an unattractive destination for families with young children. Gelsenkirchen stands out among other German cities for its diverse economy that is not dominated by large corporations. Instead, the city boasts a range of small but reliable businesses. Furthermore, it places great importance on research & development (R&D) activities as well as the sustainable development of its industrial landscape. Gelsenkirchen's science park, for instance, promotes research into renewable energies and clean technologies. Additionally, it houses businesses that create and implement sustainable energy strategies.

Gelsenkirchen is a solar city that has several post-industrial sites converted into climate friendly housing estates. Additionally, the city has adopted a legally binding “landscape plan” that strives to preserve nature using nature conservation and landscape management practices. Gelsenkirchen's urban development has been guided by the concept of “Learning City”, with a goal to foster an environment in which all citizens can benefit from one another. The city strives to promote integration, with special attention paid to young people from ethnic minorities.

Environment

Gelsenkirchen's environment has been shaped by its history as a coal mining and steelmaking city. The city boasts an array of old industrial buildings and renovation projects that help keep its heritage alive today. While the town is known for its industrial past, it also strives to become a forward-looking city. That is why several initiatives are underway to foster sustainable development in the region. This plan calls for improving water quality and reducing pollution levels, as well as building a new train station and upgrading public transport links.

Another significant initiative is the creation of a landscape plan for the entire region. This initiative strives to protect and conserve the area's ecological balance as well as its biological diversity. Gelsenkirchen boasts numerous parks and recreation areas, including Gelsenkirchener Park, a city-owned park featuring a pond, children's playground and aviary. The park is divided into seven zones, each themed after a popular film or TV show. Each zone boasts its design with attractions like 4D cinema shows for Ice Age and Walking Dead-inspired time travel rides as well as mazes modeled after Hollywood studio sets. Gelsenkirchen has a proud industrial past, yet strives to become an environmentally friendly city. That is why there are various projects underway to make the area more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Two major construction projects are currently underway in the city: Veltins Arena, home of Schalke 04 football club, and a railway station upgrade. These initiatives aim to attract more visitors and boost tourism by creating more jobs in the region. Gelsenkirchen is renowned for its green parks and forests, in addition to the main tourist attractions. Some of these reserves, such as Riegelberg or Bocholt-Recklinghausen nature reserve, are protected by law. When traveling by car in Gelsenkirchen, it is essential to adhere to the city's air-quality regulations. Beginning July 1st 2014, all vehicles with Euro-4 emissions (diesel) or Euro-1 emissions (petrol) must display a green plaque on their windscreen; failing to do so could result in a fine of up to 80 euros.

Culture

Gelsenkirchen boasts an eclectic culture and boasts several noteworthy museums. Popular attractions include the German Architecture Museum, Botanical Gardens and Gelsenkirchen Art Gallery. Plus, there are plenty of cultural events throughout the year, like concerts or theater performances, making Gelsenkirchen truly a haven for culture vultures! The city offers plenty of outdoor activities, from parks to a large lake. Its historic buildings and architecture also draw tourists in droves. Plus, Musiktheater (MIR for short) is situated here, an ideal venue to watch concerts or ballet performances. Another notable landmark in the city is the Science Park, built during the 1930s and won a German architecture prize for its innovative design. Additionally, there are some intriguing museums like Gelsenkirchen Castle and the museum of industrial history.

Gelsenkirchen is a city that proudly displays its past. Many of the old mine towers and shafts in the town have been renovated to become architectural landmarks. These rehabilitations serve to honor the town's rich industrial past. They serve as a reminder that it was once a major coal mining and oil refining hub. Gelsenkirchen's residents are proud of their city's industrial past, and there is a movement underway to move away from coal mining and towards clean energy sources. This includes converting an old coal-fired power plant into a science park and encouraging energy efficiency renovation of the city's building stock.

As a multi-ethnic city, one of the primary challenges is how to ensure coexistence between different cultures. That is why the city has developed an “integration concept” which emphasizes working together and living in harmony. Gelsenkirchen boasts a vibrant and diverse community, and its residents are immensely proud of their city. This mix of older generations who cherish it's past as well as younger people dedicated to its future are testaments to Gelsenkirchen's strength.