Lippepark
Aerial view of Lippe Park
History of the site
The core area of today’s Lippe Park was created on the former “Schacht Franz” coal mine site. Between 1923 and 1994, the site was home to a 42-hectare coal shaft and its associated slag heap. The shaft was abandoned in 1994 and sealed eight years later in 2002. The above-ground conveyors were demolished the following year. Afterwards, the site lay fallow and was inaccessible to citizens. In 2009, planning began for the project “Im Westen was Neues” (Something New in the West), during which the site was opened to the public. Today, the area of the former colliery site is a central part of the “Lippepark Hamm” park concept, which connects the districts of Pelkum, Bockum-Hövel and Herringen with parks, cycle paths and bridges.
Citizen participation in structural change
Genuine citizen participation played an extremely important role in the planning of the Lippe Park in Hamm from the very beginning. A citizens’ advisory board was set up and easily accessible participation formats such as citizens’ forums were created. For example, the central recreation area with BMX routes, a skate area and sports facilities was co-designed by teenagers. Other citizens’ initiatives designed a place for interreligious encounters and a “place of mining history” – an open-air museum which illuminates the history of the site and the people who once worked there. During the planning, an attempt was made to meet as many of the citizens’ needs as possible: from the location of the children’s playgrounds to the accessibility of the park. The extraordinary citizen participation was recognised in 2018 with the “Engaged Cities Award” in New York.
The 10 metre high orange tower, clearly visible from afar as landmark of Lippe Park
Place for interreligious encounters
Structural transformation of the site
It was clear from the beginning that the former colliery site was not to be used for new industrial and commercial spaces. Residential space was also not urgently needed. Instead, it was decided to create a central recreation area with many green spaces. A central aspect of the new park was to be the connection of the three neighbouring districts. The separating character of the colliery site was to be transformed into the opposite by the park. This has been excellently achieved – the park is now a popular meeting place for citizens from all neighbouring districts.
Focus
Interview with Damian Chatha, Chief of Staff of the City of Hamm
How were the citizens involved in the projects?
The citizens were intensively involved in the planning processes. In particular, the ideas, wishes and impulses of the residents were considered as valuable and helpful. This is extremely important because the new places that are being created are to be used intensively by the citizens and are also to be co-designed by them.
Skaters in Lippe Park
