Westpark, Urban park in Bochum, Germany
Westpark is a former steel factory transformed into a large public park with multiple levels of green spaces, water features, and preserved industrial buildings throughout the site. The layout connects different sections through pathways while keeping many of the original structures visible as you walk through.
The site operated as a major steel factory from 1842 until 1991 when production ended, then underwent systematic transformation into a park. The redesign between 1999 and 2007 preserved key industrial buildings and opened them to the public.
The Jahrhunderthalle, a central glass-facade building within the park, functions as a primary venue for cultural events, including the RuhrTriennale festival performances.
The site is relatively flat with a marked walking route of about 2 kilometers connecting different areas and offering viewing points and bridges. Visitors find informational signs about the history and buildings throughout.
In the evening hours, the factory buildings and cooling towers are illuminated with colored lighting, creating a different impression of the place. This lighting design transforms the industrial structures into a changing art display each night.
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