Employment Generator Through Tourism Sector?
The Rhineland Mining District in Germany is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from a brown coal-based economy towards a green economy. This change is being spearheaded by the BioökonomieREVIER initiative at Forschungszentrum Jülich, which is implementing innovative projects like digitalized, climate-resilient agriculture and the use of marginal lands from former mining sites to cultivate plants for eco-friendly industrial products [1].
In the realm of tourism and leisure, the future of the Rhineland region is shaping up to be a fusion of environmental recovery, innovative green economy activities, and sustainable leisure opportunities. This vision involves repurposing post-mining landscapes, such as the large Hambach open-pit mine, into attractive, sustainable leisure and tourism destinations. The focus is on ecological restoration, recreational spaces, and cultural heritage sites, while preserving the regional identity shaped by its coal mining history [1][3].
The goal is to create green spaces and new landscape uses that invite outdoor activities, ecological tourism, and educational opportunities related to sustainability and environmental conservation. This approach aims not only to create jobs and economic prospects outside coal mining but also to enhance the quality of life and appreciation for nature within the region [1][3].
The Rhine Lake Landscape project, a significant focus in the region, is coordinated by Rhein-Erft Tourism e.V. and includes partnerships with various districts and cities, such as Düren, Euskirchen, and Heinsberg districts, Rhein-Erft district, Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Aachen region, Mönchengladbach city, Grünmetropole e.V., indeland Tourism e.V., Neuland Hambach GmbH, Zweckverband Landfolge Garzweiler, and Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier [2].
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports this tourism project in the Rhineland Mining District. A joint declaration was signed by the heads of administration in various districts and cities, including Mönchengladbach, on 22 March [2].
To keep the community informed about social developments, culinary arts, art, and culture in Neuss, a subscription to a newsletter is available. This free newsletter promises in-depth information and is available under the privacy policy [4]. A tourist coordination and networking office is also planned [5].
The mining and industrial history of the region will remain experienceable in the new tourism development. The region is receiving € 15 billion to facilitate this transition from a coal-based economy to a "green" one [6].
With almost two-thirds of respondents in a 2021 online survey seeing the greatest potential in the creation of the Rhine Lake Landscape, the future of the Rhineland Mining District as a future-oriented, climate-friendly, and barrier-free holiday destination by 2050 seems promising [7].
[1] Digitalized, climate-resilient agriculture and eco-friendly industrial products in the Rhineland Mining District
[2] Joint declaration for the development of the Rhineland Mining District
[3] Sustainable leisure opportunities in the Rhineland Mining District
[4] Subscribe to the newsletter about the Rhineland Mining District
[5] Tourist coordination and networking office in the Rhineland Mining District
[6] € 15 billion for the transition of the Rhineland Mining District to a green economy
[7] Online survey reveals potential in the Rhine Lake Landscape project
- The BioökonomieREVIER initiative at Forschungszentrum Jülich is planning to use marginal lands from former mining sites to cultivate plants for eco-friendly industrial products, such as home-and-garden items, in the Rhineland Mining District.
- The Rhineland Mining District, with its €15 billion investment, is transforming its economy from a brown coal-based industry towards a green economy, which includes the finance sector focusing on sustainable projects like digitalized, climate-resilient agriculture.
- A shift in lifestyle is evident in the Rhineland Region, with initiatives like the Rhine Lake Landscape project aiming to create green spaces for outdoor activities, ecological tourism, and educational opportunities about sustainability, promoting a greener and more eco-friendly energy future.
