The Zollverein industrial complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. Located in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, it consists of the complete infrastructure of a historical coal-mining site and coking plant, now acting as a site where heritage and creative industries meet. It hosts a university department, a museum, visitor and exhibition facilities, stage performances, international festivals and events, a business park with incubation facilities for the design and creative industries, as well as sporting and recreational facilities for visitors. [1]
The site was first utilized to mine coal in 1847. Zeche Zollverein was once the largest coal mine in the world and its buildings, designed in 1932, are deemed to be a masterpiece of industrial architecture, influenced by the Bauhaus school. The site, including former mining shafts and the coking plant, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and today it is a symbol of the area’s transformation from a coal mining complex to a cultural hub. [3]
At Zollverein, an industrial heritage site is turned into a cultural centre that supports creative businesses and attracts international visitors. [1] The industrial landscape, which covers approximately 100-hectares, has become a mix of art installations, museums, dance, music and theatre, blurring the lines between heritage and cultural innovation. Zollverein also hosts a university department, visitor and exhibition facilities, international festivals and a business park with incubation facilities focused on design and creative industries. In addition, it also offers facilities for leisure activities, such as a swimming pool, ice-skating rink, industrial nature, restaurants and cafes. [2] Zollverein attracts around 1.5 million visitors per year [1].
The majority of buildings are owned, managed and developed by The Zollverein Foundation. This non-profit foundation is established and financed by the city of Essen, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland Regional Council. The foundation is responsible for the preservation of the buildings for future use and the promotion of cultural activities. It acts in cooperation with the regional and local historic monument conservation authorities to ensure sustainable development of the site. Some parts of the site are owned by both public and private bodies, including for example NRW.URBAN Service GmbH (publicly owned urban development agency), RAG AG (coal mining corporation) and Regionalverband Ruhr RVR (regional development association). [1;2;4]
The preparation of the site, as well as the maintenance and conversion of buildings, has been financed by the state and federal governments, as well as grants from the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR) and other funding bodies. Between 1990 and 2014, a total of approximately €316.000.000 has been spent.
The site is now partly self-financed by the income generated by activities that take place on-site. In 2014, the main revenue streams came from rentals, management fees and tourism-related activities. Together with its partners, the Zollverein Foundation is looking for new projects and investors for the future in order to sustainably support the preservation of the World Heritage Site Zollverein. [1]
Culture for Cities and Regions, Successful investments in culture in European Cities and Regions: A Catalogue of Case Studies, nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/Catalogue_09112016-2.pdf, accessed on 08/10/21
Zollverein – organisational website, www.zollverein.de, accessed on 08/10/21
PUBLIC SPACE, Zollverein Park (2019), available at www.publicspace.org/works/-/project/k127-zollverein-park, accessed on 08/10/21
UNESCO Nomination File, Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen (2001), available at: whc.unesco.org/en/list/975/documents/, accessed on 13/12/2021