Centre for work and culture in the urban district
(North-Rhine Westphalia)
Photography: J. Boll, Dortmund
The urban district of Lohberg, in the north of Dinslaken (pop. approx. 69,000), is located away from the main part of the city in an isolated location with an almost village-like character. It came into being around 1910 as a generously laid out, green working-class settlement inspired by English garden towns and located right next to the mine with the same name. The settlement was fully modernised in the 1990s and the uniform character has been maintained until today. However, high unemployment and supplementary benefit figures, high numbers of foreigners, increasing unoccupied housing, a diluted infrastructure and integration problems have led to increased need for action. In the end, Lohberg was accepted for the programme "Stadtteile mit besonderem Erneuerungsbedarf NRW" (“Urban Districts with a Special Need for Renewal NRW”) in 1999.
Photography: M. Vollmer, Essen
The integrated action concept for the renewal of the urban district involves the conversion and reusing of a former “Ledigenheim” (home for unmarried miners) at Lohberg’s central market square. This will strengthen the local economy, reduce infrastructural deficits and improve the image and identity of the urban district. The building, with its 6,400m² of usable space, was erected between 1913 and 1915 as a home for unmarried miners. It has been used for other purposes since 1970: a branch of the Sparkasse bank, a Turkish grocery, a take-away and a pub can be found on the ground floor. The remaining space is either empty or has only been used temporarily.
In order to make the building, which is currently mainly frequented by inhabitants with a migration background, attractive for the whole population, and with that to help the German and Turkish population live together, the concept for a commercial, cultural and social centre was developed as part of the urban district work. The building is being modernised and converted, while respecting its listed status. Afterwards, retailers, service providers, German and Turkish associations, the Volkshochschule (adult education centre) and the district library will open there. The large hall will be reactivated for cultural events, celebrations and festivals and be connected to a new restaurant. The City of Dinslaken and the Forum Lohberg e.V. (a committee made up of active citizens and the urban district office) played a leading role in the development. In joint idea and planning workshops, involved business people and members of interested associations also contributed their suggestions for the conversion.
The Ledigenheim project is embedded in further measures to stabilise and improve the urban district (open areas and schoolyard improvement, making the weekly market more attractive etc.). In order to institutionalise the anchoring among citizens and in administration, politics and economics, the charitable “Stiftung Ledigenheim" (Ledigenheim Foundation) was founded. This is the organisation in charge of the project and later will operate the centre.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Decision for "Integriertes Handlungskonzept Lohberg" (“Integrated Action Concept for Lohberg”) and acceptance for the programme "Stadtteile mit besonderem Erneuerungsbedarf NRW" (“Urban Districts with a Special Need for Renewal NRW”) |
| 2000 | Founding of "Forum Lohberg e.V.", opening of an urban district office |
| 2001 | Beginning of the project development for the Ledigenheim |
| 2002 | Feasibility study and funding applications for the federal state and the European Union |
| 2004 | Founding of "Stiftung Ledigenheim" (Ledigenheim Foundation) as a project organiser |
| 2004 | Beginning of the conversion work |
| 2006 | Start of operation (planned) |
Photography: M. Vollmer, Essen
Photography: J. Boll, Dortmund
Funded by the programme "Stadtteile mit besonderem Erneuerungsbedarf NRW" (“Urban Districts with a Special Need for Renewal NRW”) (now called "Soziale Stadt NRW" (Social City NRW)) and a project of "Initiative ergreifen" (“Take the Initiative”) NRW
Photography: M. Vollmer, Essen
Thanks to the involvement of citizens, associations, administration and the economy, it was possible to develop a new purpose for a listed building. This equally promotes the local economy and the multi-cultual life in the urban district. The citizens’ centre, run by a foundation, offers space for culture, gastronomy and work, and enhances the urban district in general.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 46537 - town: Dinslaken - street: Stollenstraße 1.
Record inserted on 01.10.2004 by Lehrstuhl für Planungstheorie und Stadtplanung, RWTH Aachen and updated by theFederal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).
Last update: 19.08.2008
