Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
of untreated or mechanically treated wastewater
was stopped; biological treatment was re-located
within the Emscher catchment to de-centralize the
wastewater system and prevent the discharge of
sub-standard effluent into surface waters. With the
decline of traditional industries that had dominated
the catchment for 80 years unemployment grew
rapidly. This and the associated increase in derelict
land prompted questions about how to regenerate
the region and attract new employers.
to achieve these improvements. An important
factor in creating an attractive environment for
business, people and nature was rehabilitation
of the Emscher River and re-generation of the
surrounding area (Emschergenossenschaft, 1991,
1992, 1999; Semrau
et al
., 2008, 2009).
Restoration of the Emscher and its tributaries
as an urban river system is part of an integrated
river basin management plan within the spatial
plan for the Emscher region. The objectives and
programme of work fulfil the requirements of
the Water Framework Directive (WFD; Council
of the European Communities, 2000). In 1991,
several years before the WFD, an ambitious river
restoration programme began, comprising (i)
construction and improvement of four wastewater
treatment plants (now completed); (ii) building
423 km of wastewater sewers by 2014 (211 km
of which have been completed) and combined
storm water overflow measures; and (iii) ecological
rehabilitation of 326 km of open watercourses
by 2020 (58 km of which have been completed
- (Plate 23)). Full details can be found elsewhere
(Emschergenossenschaft,
The Emschergenossenschaft
The Emschergenossenschaft (Emscher River
Association) is the oldest of 11 water boards in
the Northrhine-Westfalia region of Germany.
It was founded in 1899 to solve problems
caused by the combination of industrialization,
increasing volumes of sewage, associated public
health hazards and coal mining in the Emscher
catchment. The Emschergenossenschaft is a self-
managed, non-profit making public association
that is controlled by its members. Since 1926 the
Emschergenossenschaft has worked together with
another water board, the Lippeverband (Lippe
River Association). Both water boards have special
legislative obligations related to: (i) the treatment
of sewage, municipal and industrial wastewater;
(ii) flood protection and storm water management;
(iii) maintenance and ecological improvement of
water bodies; (iv) the supply of water for industrial
purposes; and (v) the management of drainage and
sewage systems.
1991,
1992,
1999;
Semrau
et al
., 2008).
The budget for this improvement work is 4.4
billion euros over 30 years, of which 2.1 billion
euros had been spent by September 2010. These
actions will considerably improve water quality in
the Emscher River, and because the watercourse
will no longer receive wastewater the associated
odour and visual problems will be alleviated as
well.
Creating space for a living river
-
Masterplan Emscher:future
Spatial and integrated river
basin management
The first step in creating a living river Emscher
was to develop a plan,
Masterplan Emscher:future
.
The
Masterplan
represents an integrated spatial
planning tool for water management, urban and
landscape development and river restoration. The
main objectives of
Masterplan Emscher:future
for the
new river are: (i) to provide an informal planning
mechanism without any formal commitment; (ii)
to set 'milestones' for a long-term process and
Regeneration of the Emscher region required
a strategic spatial plan and funds to finance
the priority work. The aim of all the planning
partners in the region was to solve economic and
environmental problems not only by re-developing
areas, but also by improving the overall quality
of the region to make it attractive to investors
and businesses. Various actions need to be taken
