Regional and local governments are active participants in crafting regional and local growth strategies.
Gearing Up for the polis Convention: A Showcase of Innovative Urban Development Projects by Rhein-Berg's Cities
Get ready for an exhilarating display of urban development projects as the Rheinisch-Bergische Economic Development Corporation (RBW) teams up with the cities of Bergisch Gladbach, Rösrath, and Wermelskirchen to present the economic powerhouse of Rhein-Berg at the polis Convention in Düsseldorf on May 7 and 8.
For years, the idea of a joint booth for the region has been a staple, with Volker Suermann, RBW Managing Director, stating, "The polis Convention offers us, as a real estate fair, a platform for location marketing and professional exchange." The urban development projects in these municipalities are closely linked to their economic growth, and Suermann applauds the municipalities for their participation, stating, "I'm thrilled that the municipalities are seizing this opportunity to showcase their projects to specialists."
Projects in the Spotlight
Bergisch Gladbach, Rösrath, and Wermelskirchen will grace the polis Convention as co-exhibitors.
Bergisch GladbachThe Zanders site in Bergisch Gladbach, spanning 36 hectares, is their largest development project and the first post-industrial conversion of such scale in North Rhine-Westphalia. Over the coming years, an urban mixed-use quarter will gradually emerge on the former Zanders paper factory site. The goal is to create a socially diverse neighborhood that will be an innovative location for living, working, and education with regional impact. The transformation of the Zanders site is a project of REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand. Key figures involved include economic developer Jonas Geist, Oliver Brüggge, Managing Director of the newly formed Zanders Development Company, and First Deputy Mayor Ragnar Migenda.
RösrathRösrath plans to set new standards with two projects in the commercial development sector. The OekoTec Campus aims to create a sustainable and innovative industrial park, setting high standards for climate-adapted construction methods and sustainable energy development. The Bahnhofquartier in Hoffnungsthal targets a mixed-use area of residential and commercial properties, focusing on the unique transport situation and train connection. Innovative ideas in mobility are integral to this project. Kerstin Frey, head of the Planning, Building, Environment, and Mobility department, and Sabine Kainz, contact person for economic development topics, will represent Rösrath at the event.
WermelskirchenThe Rhombus site in Wermelskirchen will also be showcased. This new quarter, located directly in the city center, offers space for public uses, living, creative work, and services. The project's unique feature is the collaboration between the city and private owners, who are jointly developing the quarter on the 30-hectare site. The private sector's focus is on living, as well as medical and nursing care, and childcare. The municipal area will provide space for a house of associations, a new indoor pool, and the new headquarters of the Volkshochschule Bergisches Land. Furthermore, educational offers for companies, startup innovation spaces, and an innovation house are planned. A notable element of the area will be the newly created lake at the quarter's heart, serving diverse functions such as open space design, leisure value, rainwater management, and improving the microclimate. The project is also part of the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand. Mayor Marion Holthaus, Deputy Technical Director Hartwig Schüngel, and Florian Leßke, head of the Department of Urban Development, will be the local contacts for Wermelskirchen.
The polis Convention is a trade fair for urban, regional, location, and real estate development. Since its inception in 2015, the event has seen growing participant and exhibitor numbers. The RBW, the cities of Bergisch Gladbach, Rösrath, and Wermelskirchen will be present at the joint stand of the Region Cologne/Bonn e.V.
- At the polis Convention, the urban development projects in Bergisch Gladbach, particularly the Zanders site, will demonstrate an innovative approach to post-industrial conversion, focusing on creating a socially diverse neighborhood with a regional impact.
- To emphasize their commitment to sustainable and innovative urban development, Rösrath will present two projects, the OekoTec Campus and Bahnhofquartier in Hoffnungsthal, promoting climate-adapted construction methods and unique mobility solutions, respectively.
