Innenhafen Duisburg

The Innenhafen (Inner Harbour) in Duisburg , encompassing an area of 89ha, was for over a hundred years, during the high point of the Industrial Revolution, the central harbour and trading point of the town. Since the mid-60s, the importance of the harbour declined and it lay in a disused condition for 20 years, before plans for renovation were drawn up. This former industrial area has been fundamentally transformed, a process which started as a part of the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park (IBA) which ran from 1989 until 1999.

The basis for this model of development in the Ruhr district was delivered in 1994 by the British architect Norman Foster. Since then, the Inner Harbor has transformed itself into a district combining employment, housing, culture and water-based leisure activities. Today, the Inner Harbour is both an industrial monument and a main stop on the Route der Industriekultur .

Highlights of the newly renovated quarter of the Inner Harbour are the Küppersmühle converted to an arts museum by Herzog & de Meuron, the Werhahnmühle, which following the departure of the Children's Museum ATLANTIS is being used as a “Legoland Discovery Centre“, the Cultural- and City History Museum, the “Garden of Remembrance“ laid out by Dani Karavan as well as the Synagoge of the Jewish District of Duisburg-Mülheim/Ruhr-Oberhausen, designed by the architect Zvi Hecker.

Additionally, on the far side of the Garden a marina has been built complete with a Buckelbrücke ('Buckle bridge' – for pedestrians). It is intended to extend the marina into the adjacent Holzhafen.

A lively dining-scene has also developed. In addition to more than 15 restaurants und clubs, there are also owner-run bars and franchises.