Evaluation

IBA Emscher Park is a successful project where many of the objectives have been met. One major reason for this success is the effective collaboration of planners, economists, ecologists, architects, landscape architects and the public. The Park now incorporates a variety of design elements which combine to support the project as a whole. The various elements include:

• an ecological water park
• a comprehensive network of paths and cycleways connecting cities
• a number of gardens celebrating the area's industrial heritage
• effective preservation of the industrial structures

The achievement of these elements within Emscher Park have been a result of a combination of the following points:

• an increase in public awareness of the area's industrial significance
• successful implementation of policy and land use planning
• an openness to technical innovations and new approaches to economic and social development
• throughout the project 'optimum results' have always been the ultimate goal rather than 'maximum results' which is often the case

With all of these successes and ultimately the creation of a popular sustainable public amenity, Emscher Park can serve as a model for simialr projects around the world.