The Ruhr region – one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe – comprises 53 cities and is home to more than five million people, many of them with a family history of migration. Major university cities are Dortmund, Duisburg, and Essen, with around half a million inhabitants respectively, as well as Bochum, with a population of more than 365,000. While its industrial heritage in coal mining and steel production is still visible in places, the Ruhr area has undergone a profound transformation into one of the densest science hubs in Europe, characterised by extraordinary diversity –social, cultural, and academic.
International recognition of the region increased when the “metropolis Ruhr” was elected European Capital of Culture in 2010, and the city of Essen was the European Green Capital in 2017. Among the characteristics that single out this region as a living environment are its cultural versatility and diversity, the unique mixture of urban landscapes and green spaces, and the short distances between its cities and points of interest.
Located in the west of Germany in the Federal State of North-Rhine Westphalia, the Ruhr region lies at the centre of Europe. From here, other German university cities such as Düsseldorf, Cologne, or Münster are within short reach thanks to a dense public transport network. A few hours’ travel will also take you to several destinations in bordering European countries Belgium, the Netherlands, France, or Switzerland.
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The Ruhr region has the densest higher education and research landscape in Europe: three major universities (forming the University Alliance Ruhr), four universities of applied sciences, one university of the arts, and six private universities are based here, educating more than 190,000 students altogether. One distinction of the region is the extraordinarily high proportion of first-generation academics.
Adding to its character as a research hub, several internationally renowned research associations and societies – Max Planck, Leibniz, Fraunhofer, and Helmholtz – have institutes in the Ruhr area.
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UDE / eventfotograf.in
A vivid cultural and artistic scene has been thriving in the Ruhr region for decades, gaining substantially in international attention when the “metropolis Ruhr” became European Capital of Culture in 2010. Dense networks between cultural institutions – such as 21 art museums and 11 theatres – have formed across city borders, enabling joint events and exhibitions. As a result, the cultural landscape is both broad and rich in variety, covering a wide range of sectors and styles.
With the Ruhrtriennale, the region hosts a renowned international festival of the arts attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. Further cultural attractions are the philharmonic orchestras of Bochum, Dortmund, and Essen, hosting several international guest ensembles each year, as well as the internationally renowned Museum Folkwang with its impressive 19th and 20th century art collection. Not to be overlooked, the Ruhr area also harbours a lively scene of urban culture and performing arts, independent cultural societies and clubs, art cinemas, and diverse venues for music shows and festivals of all styles.
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CC BY SA: Svenja Hanusch
Contrary to common prejudice linked to its industrial past, the Ruhr area has a distinct “green side” that is worth exploring. Both within its cities and in the outskirts, you will find a unique patchwork of urban green spaces and natural areas, ranging from parks and botanical gardens, to rural landscapes with farmland and pastures, to meadows and extensive woodlands. The region accommodates a wide range of outdoor activities, and numerous hiking trails invite visitors to discover the landscape. Adding to the scenic charm, the Ruhr, its reservoir Lake Baldeney in Essen, or Lake Kemnade in Bochum are well suited for water sports and cycling or walking along the banks. The Ruhr area can also be explored easily by bike owing to a network of cycle paths, partly along former railways.
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CC-BY-SA Dennis-Stratmann
Apart from its cultural diversity and green spaces, several other aspects make the Ruhr region attractive as a living environment. Compared to other metropolitan areas in Germany, the average rent level is relatively low, while the infrastructure for all necessities of daily life, such as shopping facilities, restaurants, and medical services, is well developed. Mobility is ensured through widely accessible public transportation and complementing services such as carsharing. Due to the short distances between cities and to bordering regions, there is a remarkably wide range of cultural and leisure activities to choose from.
Not only on account of housing costs, the Ruhr area offers a family-friendly environment. Numerous primary and secondary schools (public and private) are available, including several with a special “Europe” profile as well as a few international schools teaching in English and offering international degrees. Childcare and early childhood education have been expanded significantly in recent years. Activities offered specifically for children and young adults include sports as well as musical and cultural education.
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CC-BY-SA / Ruhr-Tourismus, OLFF APPOLD
