WERK.STADT ROTHE ERDE: The City of Aachen Invites You to a Dialogue on the Future of the Industrial Site
Rothe Erde is one of Aachen’s most iconic industrial sites. Since the 19th century, the area has continually reinvented itself—from a steel mill to the rubber industry and on to the automotive and electronics sectors. Today, the challenge is to further develop this historic site to meet the demands of modern industry. With WERK.STADT ROTHE ERDE, the city of Aachen is showcasing the potential that Rothe Erde offers for innovation, value creation, and the jobs of tomorrow.
“WERK.STADT represents an industrial site right in the heart of the city—a place where development, production, and work will continue into the future. Our guiding principle sums up this vision: the earth for new creation! We’re building on the industrial history of Rothe Erde and laying the groundwork for something new,” says Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons.
With more than 60 hectares of potential commercial land, Rothe Erde is one of the most significant development areas for economic use in Aachen. The focus is on innovative site concepts, urban production, and the question of how existing industrial sites can be used efficiently and new economic opportunities created.
“Aachen’s ideas need space so that its excellent innovation ecosystem can translate into local value creation and jobs. Whether it’s starting a business, setting up operations, or expanding—it won’t work without suitable space. Rothe Erde is a key location where development, pilot production, and manufacturing converge, and where Aachen’s industrial future takes shape,” says Thomas Hissel, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Social Affairs, and Economic Development for the City of Aachen.
On Tuesday, September 1, the City of Aachen invites you to the Stranghalle Rothe Erde, Philipsstraße 2, starting at 5:00 p.m. Representatives from business, academia, politics, and government, as well as interested citizens, are invited to discuss the future of the site and its significance for Aachen and the Rhineland mining region.
Following the opening remarks by Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons and a welcome address by North Rhine-Westphalia Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur, guests can look forward to insights and discussions from the worlds of business, academia, and politics, as well as the premiere of the film “Die Erde für neues Machen.” The get-together that follows will provide an opportunity for personal exchanges and networking.
Those interested can register via the event website by August 18, 2026.
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