Innovating Regional and Environmental Planning in GermanyFrom Industry to Innovation – from Grey to GreenTitle

The paper gives an idea about innovations in German regional and environmental planning at the example of the current development of Germany’s largest agglomeration, the Ruhr region, which has led to a fundamental paradigm shift. The heavy industry has gone and was successfully replaced by innovative technologies; the region’s appearance turned from grey to green, and new urban development projects contribute to an enhanced life quality, which makes the region competitive for the future.