Expo Real in Munich is Europe’s largest property fair: it’s where forward-looking projects are presented and important contacts made. The district of Düren was on location with several mayors, presenting projects and plans from the region with high levels of appeal.
“Showing our pioneering plans within the context of structural change to a large group of interested people means a great deal of added value for us,” states District Administrator Wolfgang Spelthahn.
An attractive canal connection between open-cast mining lakes
One such trailblazing project is the possible seven-kilometre long canal linking between the future open-cast mining lakes of Indesee and Hambachsee. Susanne Dettlaff, Head of the District Department, and Frank Rock, District Administrator of the Rhine-Erft district, presented the results of a feasibility study for the project to the large auditorium in Munich.
The study shows that the canal could in principle be realised, and the attractiveness of the region would be considerably enhanced in terms of quality of living, local recreation options and work conditions. For example, smaller passenger ships and pleasure craft travelling on the canal, a cycle path along the waterway and much more.
Future Mobility Park: a sustainable industrial zone
Another innovative project is the new Future Mobility Park commercial zone on the former site of the Emil Mayrisch Colliery in Aldenhoven and Baesweiler, which is geared towards climate neutrality and sustainability and is intended to create around 3,600 new jobs. One focus is on environmentally friendly mobility concepts and vertical mobility, for example with the development of vertical take-off aircraft. The signing of a joint declaration of intent by the chief administrative officers of the six local authorities involved means that the foundation stone has already been laid.
“The economic perspective has tremendous importance, and it’s all about creating as many new jobs as possible,” emphasises District Administrator Wolfgang Spelthahn.
Prominent visits to the Aachen 1a stand at which the Düren district was involved included NRW Minister of Municipal Affairs Ina Scharrenbach.
