Essen, the ninth largest city in Germany, boasts a population of approximately 571 000 residents. Situated in the heart of the Ruhr area, Essen has successfully transitioned from its industrial past to emerge as a model of urban regeneration and sustainable development. The city has introduced extensive green and blue corridors, emphasising its commitment to green infrastructure, most notably showcased through the development of the Krupp Belt.
Essen's plans for its municipal forests focus on sustainable woodland management, aiming to promote forestry practices that align with environmental conservation goals. Additionally, the city is actively identifying and encouraging the growth of tree species that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Recognising the critical role of street trees in adapting to climate change, Essen has engaged the public through educational tours, raising awareness about the environmental benefits of urban greenery.
In terms of noise pollution management, Essen implemented a strategic noise map in 2011, covering road, rail, tram, aircraft and industrial noise sources. Citizen participation played a significant role in shaping these noise reduction plans. Innovative initiatives, such as an online platform, allowed residents to pinpoint noisy areas on the map, submit suggestions for improvements and provide feedback on proposed measures. Essen's noise management strategy includes ambitious targets, such as ensuring that designated quiet zones are located within 300 meters of where at least 51% of the population lives or works.
Read more
For more information on Essen's sustainability efforts and achievements, you can explore Essen's application and Essen's presentation, which detail the city's initiatives and progress. Additional insights can be found in the EGCA Technical Assessment Synopsis Report – Award Cycle 2017 and the Jury Report – Award Cycle 2017, both of which evaluate Essen's performance across various environmental criteria. To get a comprehensive overview of the city's green initiatives, refer to the Essen – European Green Capital Brochure 2017 in English or in German, as well as the Essen EGCA 2017 Brochure (EN) and Essen EGCA 2017 Brochure (DE). For a retrospective look at the city’s progress, the 5-Year Report on Essen (available in German) provides valuable updates and reflections on ongoing projects.
Citizen Diaries - Essen
Würzburg native and now Essen resident, Dominique Ellen van de Pol, operates in the field of sustainability, fashion theory and communications. The modern conscious consumer has required brands and manufacturers to examine their ethos, processes and approach to sustainability.
At the start of 2017, Essen had ten community gardens and in just a few months this has increased to fifteen! Three more are currently in development with a total of twenty expected by the end of Essen’s European Green Capital year.
Essen native Nils Mosh has a creative way of capturing life in the European Green Capital 2017: he records sounds around the city and posts them on his blog, soundofessen.com.
Teresa Deckert moved to Essen five years ago to undertake her Masters in Urban Culture, Society and Space at the University of Duisburg-Essen – a fitting topic to have studied in a European Green Capital!