The Urban Zero initiative marks the world's first attempt to transform an urban neighborhood within a few years (by 2029) into a state that has no impact on the biosphere. With the goal of transforming the Duisburg-Ruhrort district sustainably and thus making it fit for human consumption, the ambitious project is now entering the implementation phase.
2021 marks the start of a forward-looking project for Duisburg-Ruhrort. Ruhrort is a densely populated district whose historical development is closely linked to that of the port and which is probably familiar to non-Duisburg residents primarily through crime scene detective Horst Schimanski. However, the real special charm of the historic district with its approximately 5,700 inhabitants lies not only in its numerous architectural monuments, but above all in its location: the Rhine and Ruhr flow together here. Despite urban design efforts, however, there are still structural deficits today. One thing is clear: The Ruhrort district needs a perspective.
This is where a group that has taken up the cause of Ruhrort's future comes in. The initiators Haniel, greenzero and Heimaterbe are looking for cooperation with experts from science and practice - university and group city. This is also where GEBAG comes on board, which with its 501 apartments, together with Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH and four other players, is one of Ruhrort's largest real estate portfolio holders. Together, they have formulated a clear goal for the development of Ruhrort: by 2029, the port district is to become the world's first environmentally neutral neighborhood.
Fair to people and the environment
The term environmental neutrality goes beyond the familiar climate neutrality and, in addition to climate protection, also includes issues such as safeguarding biodiversity and protecting soil and water. The goal is to ensure that human activity in Ruhrort no longer negatively impacts the environment from 2029 onwards. In this way, above all, Ruhrort residents themselves will enjoy a better quality of life and an improvement in their economic and social situation.
This requires innovative concepts and strategies that not only apply to new developments, but can also be transferred to the existing housing stock. High demands are placed on the housing industry: Neighborhoods of the future should be smart, urban, resilient, sustainable, energy-saving and climate- orCO2-neutral, as well as family-friendly, barrier-free or low barrier, flexible and affordable.
Urban Zero is intended to be proof of the successful interaction of ecology, social responsibility and economic development, and thus proof of the success of a "thinkable" transformation of the environment for future generations. This can only succeed through the interaction of private and public sectors.
To implement the project, a project company was founded in 2022 in which GEBAG, as a municipal subsidiary of the City of Duisburg, will act as majority shareholder with 51 percent of the shares. The aim is to make the project a blueprint for other Duisburg districts once it is completed - and far beyond.
The Urban Zero initiative marks the world's first attempt to transform an urban neighborhood within a few years (by 2029) into a state that has no impact on the biosphere. With the goal of transforming the Duisburg-Ruhrort district sustainably and thus making it fit for human consumption, the ambitious project is now entering the implementation phase.
