SAUL / SAUL Plus in Saarland

Saarkohlenwald

Deep rooted structural change is fundamentally altering the Saarland. Despite early industrialisation and the scars of its former coal mining and steel industries, the Saar conurbation still has exceptionally high tree cover which takes up more than 40% of the core agglomeration. The withdrawal of mining and heavy industry is leaving many derelict sites in their wake. Through SAUL the Saarkohlenwald project has encouraged access to forest and wilderness areas, former mining landscapes and feudal gardens on the basis of a shared spatial vision, engaging citizens through local projects, events such as the Saarkohlenwald Week, installations and exhibitions. The emphasis was on using innovative approaches to creative design and spatial planning to enhance the natural potential and industrial heritage and create a relaxed city region able to face the challenges of being a ‘shrinking region’.

Future Warndt

In the Saarkohlenwald the advantages of spatial visioning, which engaged many stakeholders and citizens, were used by the Saarland Environment Ministry and its partners in the Warndt area, where the impending closure of one of the last coal mines will have far-reaching economic and social effects. Adjacent to the French mining area of Lorraine, a cross border regional partnership approach has been necessary. This drew up an overall development concept for the Warndt area, as well as focussing on individual locations. Local people were asked to participate from the start through two citizens’ workshops, ‘Future Warndt’, which led to the development concept.

Exploring the Saarkohlenwald

Regional Park Saar

The Regional Park Saar has been adopted as a new spatial planning instrument of the Environment Ministry, on the basis that the quality of public open space is an essential urban development resource. The concept is not to create a ‘grand plan’ for the region, but to use an incremental project approach. The Regional Park is a platform for developing local initiatives pooled together in regional projects with a common purpose based on a shared vision. SAUL has enabled the Regional Park concept to be put into action through practical pilot projects in the Saarkohlenwald and the Warndt on the basis of a shared spatial vision, by developing a joint masterplan for the Regional Park, establishing the Regional Park Forum to improve partnership working and setting up a website.

Further information about the outcomes of the above SAUL projects can be found in the partnerships Final Report.

TEMS (Training, Employment, Maintenance and Sustainability)

This region also participated in the transnational TEMS project.

Training and employment project in Saarland

Current Project - SAUL 2 EXT

SAUL 2 EXT in Saarland will build on the Regional Park Saar Masterplan. Work will aim to reinforce the concept of the urban landscape as a place of work and production by exploring the potential of the area through new ideas, innovation and best practise; involving businesses with other local and regional stakeholders; and identifying new products. This will be done via case study projects addressing, namely, primary production, biomass, tourism and young people and will culminate in the production of a good practice guide. The third Regional Park Saar Forum and workshop cluster will integrate the main stakeholders and local businesses into the process.

Contacts

Brigitte Jülch-Schumann (regional partner)

Andrea Hartz (project coordinator)

Useful Links

Saarland Ministry of Environment (regional partner)

agl (project coordinator)