Revierparks 2020+: Sustainable transformation with Vestre urban furniture brings new quality of life to the Ruhr region

Year: 2023
City: Germany
Client: Regionalverband Ruhr
Landscape architect: Landschaft planen + bauen NRW GmbH
Application: Park

The Revierparks 2020+ program has transformed five major parks in Germany’s Ruhr region — Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen/Gelsenkirchen, Herne, and Oberhausen/Bottrop — into inclusive, climate-resilient public spaces. Originally built in the 1970s, the parks have undergone a €28 million redesign, driven by ecological restoration, social inclusion, and modern infrastructure. At the heart of this transformation is a unified concept for urban furniture supplied by Vestre — designed for accessibility, durability, and a timeless aesthetic.

The challenge

When first created, the Revierparks were intended as local recreation areas to improve quality of life in one of Europe’s most industrialized regions. Decades later, their infrastructure and design no longer met the needs of a diverse, modern public. The parks required an upgrade to address climate adaptation, improve accessibility for all ages and abilities, and strengthen community engagement. The Green Infrastructure NRW initiative set the framework for the transformation, with a focus on ecological enhancement, revitalization, and the integration of disadvantaged groups.

The solution

In 2020, a centrally developed furnishing system was created through collaboration between landscape architects, accessibility experts, and local citizens. Vestre was chosen for its long-standing reputation for high-quality, durable, and socially sustainable furniture. The result is a coherent furniture language across all five parks — barrier-free tables and benches with back- and armrests, modular seating systems for flexible use, bicycle racks, and waste bins in park-specific colors. All elements are weatherproof, produced from recycled or climate-neutral materials, and designed to invite visitors to stay, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.

Beyond furniture

The project also brought extensive ecological upgrades. Over 20,000 square meters of sealed surfaces were removed to make way for new plantings of shrubs, perennials, and wildflower meadows. Themed nature trails — such as the Insect Loop, Bee Loop, Rain Loop, and Beech Loop — offer opportunities for education and discovery, while “Green Rooms,” semi-sheltered outdoor spaces, provide areas for learning, rest, and observation. Educational signage in German and English, tactile maps, and a barrier-free information system make the parks more accessible than ever before.

Result

Today, each of the five parks has its own distinctive theme, from water-based play areas to urban gardens, fitness facilities, and sports fields. Despite these differences, the unified design language and shared values of inclusivity and climate resilience tie them together. The transformation has preserved the spirit of the 1970s parks while reimagining them for the 21st century. Vestre’s contribution demonstrates how urban furniture can act as social architecture — helping to create spaces that are vibrant, inclusive, and built for generations to enjoy.