General information
The ZUKUR project aimed to contribute to reducing socio-ecological inequality and increasing climate resilience in cities and neighbourhoods in the Ruhr region using a real-world laboratory approach. ZUKUR worked with politicians, administrators and locals to develop exemplary visions and objectives for the future-proof development of the Ruhr region. During the three-year project period from 2017 to 2020, the focus was on analysing current and future challenges and developing strategic approaches for the region, city and neighbourhood levels of action.
Target values
- Ecological
- Social
Content focus
- Urban / neighbourhood development
- Climate adaptation
Innovation type
- Ecological
- Social
Funding
- Public, federal government
Research orientation
Research design
As climate-friendly development can only be successful if neighbourhoods, cities and the entire region pursue a joint strategy, ZUKUR intended to present the Ruhr region as a three-level model based on the three network partners. The levels each represented backdrops for real-world laboratories in which change processes were initiated, supported and tested using participation formats and structures (future workshops, target group-specific workshops, ‘neighbourhood showcases’, etc.). The aim of the labs was to gain a better understanding of the interdependencies involved in implementing sustainable action and to derive strategic starting points for the implementation of specific measures on site.
Research questions
What will the climate-resilient Ruhr urban region of the future look like?
What needs to be done to cope with climate change in times of post-industrial and demographic structural change?
How can common goods of green and grey infrastructure be qualified in order to remain efficient?
How can politics and administration in the region, city and neighbourhood organise their cooperation in order to promote social participation and cohesion?
What should spatial planning look like that minimises the impact of climate-induced and environmental pressures in order to ensure fair living conditions for all?
Cooperation
Type of co-creation
The entire process is designed collaboratively. From start to finish, creative and participatory methods are used to establish a common understanding and take action. A core team that drives the process forward consists of a mix of individuals with relevant experience and specific expertise who provide appropriate and creative support and guidance.
Society involvement
Organized civil society and/or local society exchange ideas with the project managers. The decision-making power lies with the scientists.
Continuation of the project
- Keine Verstetigung vorgesehen
Constellation of actors
Scientific involvement
- TU Dortmund University
- European Planning Cultures (Faculty of Spatial Planning)
Actors in administration
- Regionalverband Ruhr/RVR
- City of Dortmund
- City of Bottrop
Organization and decision-making
Constellation of actors in daily project work
Day-to-day project work was characterised by good, trust-building and very constructive cooperation.
Result and effect
Results and impacts in terms of affordability and other ecological and social target values
ZUKUR contributed to how regional and municipal housing market monitoring can be further developed and what is needed to ensure the future viability and attractiveness of the Ruhr housing market in the face of changing climatic conditions and social changes in the long term and sustainably. This raised the questions of how predictable needs, demand patterns and price trends in cities and neighbourhoods are and how to deal with the different interests and logics of action of the stakeholders involved from administration, the housing industry, tenants and owners.
Further information