Experiences to share? The transformation and regeneration of the two former mining regions Ruhrgebiet and Erzgebirge in Germany

Abstract

Purpose: Analyzing the post-industrial transformation processes of mining regions in Germany, we (1) conclude general potentials and approaches for managing sustainably the structural change/crisis, and (2) discuss spatial differences underpinning or hampering the regions’ future development. Methods: We base our arguments on a long-term analysis of two contrasting case studies in Germany, analyzing their transformations and regeneration approaches along the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, socio-cultural and ecological development. The analysis refers both to primary and secondary data. Results: General and effective approaches of overcoming the structural crisis are identified, namely: public-private partnerships for research and development clusters; projects to increase the regional quality of life, especially in terms environmental/ecological aspects and urban qualities; projects to re-interpret, re-use and celebrate” the mining legacies as cultural heritage; massive public/private investments in the afore-mentioned spheres, reflecting on the locally differentiated potentials and needs. Apart from that, however, the chances of mining cities to sustainably develop in future, differ in at least two respects: with respect to the profoundness of their transformation as well as with regard to intra-regional differentiations. Scientific novelty: The scientific value consists in empirically contributing to the corpus of comparative studies on the sustainable development of former mining regions, reflecting in particular the post-socialist and non-socialist context of mining regions as well as intra-regional factors.