The Image Study of Ruhr-Region
共同研究１

1

ドイツの縮小都市に関する研究

The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

Keiro Hattori

ABSTRACTThe Ruhr-region, located in the north of State of Nordrhein Westfalen, had been the heavy
industrial center of not only Germany but also in European Continent for the last 150 years.
The name of the region is well known worldwide, however, the geographical image of Ruhrregion is somewhat vague. In order to understand how people image the regionʼs spatial
structure, and also to grasp what kind of image people have toward the region, the author
has conducted some questionnaire survey including the image map study to 61 students in
Dortmund Technology University.
The survey consisted of three parts; adjective study, important city study, and the image
map. The study result implies that the concept of Ruhr-region still have diﬃculties creating
physical image to people to this date. Most of respondents had the image of regional structure
by rivers rather than highway or railway network. The lack of landmarks illustrated in theimage maps implies that there are few spatial components that help to reorganize the spatial
image of this area except rivers.
The adjectives that respondents thought that best described Ruhr-region were “diverse(vielfaltig)”, “industrial (industriell)”, “cultural (kulturell)”, and “green (grün)”. The latter twowords (cultural and green) indicates that the projects such as IBA Emscher Park (1988-1998)
and the events such as European Capital of Cultural City in 2010 being held in Essen may
have contributed young peopleʼs perception toward the region being transformed to morecultural and more environmentally friendly ones.
The new post-industrial image of the Ruhr-region is more or less understood conceptually,
but not in a tangible sense. With some limitation to the study, the author still believes that theresult of this survey does raise some issues associated with the regional image of Ruhr-region.

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研 究 所 年 報

1．Objectives and Background of the Study
1.1 Objectives
The image of region plays quite an important role in attracting new industries or academic
institutions as well as people in borderless society and in “creative city” era. In European
continents, the competition among region has been quite severe since the advent of European
Union. This was especially the case with Ruhr-region in Germany. The regionʼs character
went through drastic change in recent years, changing from heavy industrial powerhouseof Germany to region with unpromising future in moratorium status. In order to change theimage, and also to establish new regional identity, many eﬀorts have been made including IBA
Emscher Park Project, which was worldly acclaimed for its discernment.
However, how people actually image the Ruhr-region is not well surveyed. In order tounderstand how people image the regionʼs spatial structure, and also to grasp what kind ofimage people have toward the region, the author has conducted some questionnaire survey
including the image map study.

1.2 Background of the Study
The Ruhr-region, located in the north of State of Nordrhein Westfalen, had been the heavy
industrial center of not only Germany but also in European Continent for last 150 years. It is
the largest mega-region in Germany possessing roughly 5.2 million people.
The name of the region is well known worldwide, however, the geographical image of
Ruhr-region is somewhat vague. This is due to several reasons. First of all, Ruhr-region isconceptual. “Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr-region in German)” is not an oﬃcial term. It usually refers to thedense cluster of cities stretching from Duisburg to Dortmund and from the line Muehlheim/
Witten to the line Gladbeck/Recklinghausen. However, some people like to stretch farther toHamm on the eastern side. The deﬁnition of Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR)

1）

is larger, including

Hagen in the south and many municipalities in north (refer Figure 1). Peter Hall points that2）

some geographers say that the true region is the Rhine-Ruhr-Region . The Rhine-Ruhr-Region
includes Düsseldorf, Wuppertal. Cologne, and Bonn. Recently, economic activities of these cities
have spread to Ruhr-region. In terms of economic activities, one can say that Ruhr-region is
1）RVR is the regional association that was founded by Robert Schmidt in 1920 in order to create
regional plan of Ruhr-region. It consists of 11 cities and 4 regional districts (Kreis). The area of RVR is4435 square kilometers and has population of approximately 4,953,000 (December 2008).
2）Peter Hall, “RheinRuhr City”, p.61

decades. Most prominent success was the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Emscher
Park. It was held from 1989 to 1999 and it had succeeded in creating the geographical imageof Ruhr-region to certain extent4.


The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

3

1. Aofmapof Ruhr-region (asby RVR)
Figure 1. Figure
A map
Ruhr-region(asdeﬁned
definedby RVR)(Source: http://www.metropoleruhr.de)(Source: http://www.metropoleruhr.de)already integrated to a larger agglomeration of Rhine-Ruhr-region. It is diﬃcult to distinguish
Becauseof these conditions, Ruhr-region is not easy to imagine its spatial structure.
the independency of Ruhr-region from economic activities perspective.

Many people in planning circle discuss about Ruhr as a region. However, how do 3people）
Third, the image of Ruhr-region has always been associated with heavy industry .

living in Ruhr consider the region actually? In order to understand the people’s idea of Ruhr
However, the decline of heavy industry within the region has diminished the strong regional

region, the
image
study
out.
identityof thearea,wasand carried
it still lackthe new identity that is able to replace the former regional
image. In order to counteract the situation, Ruhr-region has been quite aggressive in trying
to create new image. The advertising campaign of the Ruhr-region has been continuing for2. Methodology
Most prominent
wasimagethe International
Exhibition (IBA)
Emscher2 andThedecades.
questionnaire
survey successincludingmap studyBuilding
was conductedin February
Park. It was held from 1989 to 1999 and it had succeeded in creating the geographical image

February 5, 2010 in Technologisch4 ）Universität Dortmund. The examinees were students inof Ruhr-region to certain extent .

the Department of Spatial Planning. 61 students participated in the study.

Because of these conditions, Ruhr-region is not easy to imagine its spatial structure. Many

Thepeople
questionnaire
survey consisted of four questions. First question asked to draw thein planning circle discuss about Ruhr as a region. However, how do people living inimage map
Ruhrgebiet.
Secondquestion
to givethethreeadjectives
that respondents
Ruhrofconsider
the region
actually?
In order asked
to understandpeopleʼsidea of Ruhr-region,
the
image
study wasout.
think best
describe
thecarried
Ruhrgebeits.
Third question asked to write three most important(biggest) cities in the Ruhrgebeits. Fourth question asked for the attributes of the respondents.
The actual questionnaire is shown in the next box.

3 ）The Ruhr developed as an urban region since the advent of industrial revolution. Approximately
300 coalmines were in operation in Ruhr-region around 1850. In the end of 19th Century, the Ruhr coalmining region grew into the largest industrial region of Europe.

4Peter Hall, “RheinRuhr
City”,
p.61
4 ）Peter Hall,“RheinRuhr
City”, p.61

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研 究 所 年 報

2．Methodology
The questionnaire survey including image map study was conducted in February 2 andFebruary 5, 2010 in Technologisch Universität Dortmund. The examinees were students in the
Department of Spatial Planning. 61 students participated in the study.
The questionnaire survey consisted of four questions. First question asked to draw theimage map of Ruhrgebiet. Second question asked to give three adjectives that respondents
think best describe the Ruhrgebeits. Third question asked to write three most important(biggest) cities in the Ruhrgebeits. Fourth question asked for the attributes of the respondents.
The actual questionnaire is shown in the next box.
1) Please draw your image map of Ruhrgebiet
Note: Do not see any map or other information sources including other personʼsdrawing. Do not take time to do the drawing. Finish drawing within ﬁve minutes.
2) Please give three adjectives that you think best describe the Ruhrgebeits.
3) Please give three most important (biggest) cities in the Ruhrgebeits.
4) Please tell me about yourself.
1) Age:2) Gender:
3) Years you have lived in Ruhrgebeits: years:
4) The cities you have resided (up to three cities):

3．Findings
3.1

Adjective Study

The respondents were asked to write three adjectives that he or she thought best describe
the Ruhr-region. 71 adjectives were given as an answer. Since some of these adjectives weresimilar in meaning, the given adjectives were classiﬁed into 25 words.
The ﬁgure 2 shows the adjective that had more than three votes. The adjective that had
most votes was “diverse” with 29. It is likely that some of the characteristics of Ruhr-region,such as the polycentric nature of the area, the existence of many racial minorities, the varietyof geographical features (hill, valley, flatland, and so on), helped people to think the area
“diverse.” Second and third votes were “straight” (15 votes) and “concentrated” (13 votes).
The image of “straight” is assumed to derive from blue-collar workers that have always
been associated with Ruhr-region. The image of “concentrated” is assumed to derive from

The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

5

Figure2. Adjectives
best
describeRuhr-region
Ruhr-region
Figure2. Adjectives
thatthat
best
describe333Creative
FriendlyCentrality
Livability
Openness
Noisy
Vastness
Individuality
Splendid
Dirty
Green
CulturalArtificial
Concentrated
Straight
Diverse
0

4
4

5

5

6
6

8

9
9

10
11

10

13

15

15

29
20

25

30

35

# of respondents
Figure 2. Adjectives that best describe Ruhr-region
Creative

3

Centrality

3

theThehighfigure
density(for German)
ofoftheregion.
Fourthvotes
and afterare“artiﬁcial”(11 votes),
3
3 shows
the shapeFriendly
Ruhr-region
by using
adjectives.
The
sizeof the word
4
Livability“cultural”(9Openness
votes),“dirty”(9 votes)so theon. letters
Many ofof thetheseadjectives are
dependson (10the votes),
number“green”
of votes.
The
more
the
the andbiggeradjectives
4 votes,
Noisy

5

6
Vastnessare.
Each word
is usedonly two times.
associatedwithold industrial
image of Ruhr-region.
Blue-collar, hard working, soccer loving
6
Individuality
8
Splendid
9
Dirty
9
Green
10
Cultural the adjectives
Figure 3. Shape of Ruhr region using
given from respondents (larger the11
Artificial
13
Concentrated
size of the word, the more
representative)
15
Straight respondents consider
29
Diversepeople living in polluted, dirty, noisy, and artiﬁcial environment.

However, some adjectives that contradict with such image have also been chosen. They are“cultural,” “green,” and “openness.” These are the new image that Ruhr-region has been keen
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
on generating with IBA projects, Dortmund
SciencePark
project,
Ruhr35University project and# of respondents

so on. The fact that these adjectives received some votes suggests that people began to see
Ruhr-region in diﬀerent
perspective than the past, although the number is still not so many.
The figure 3 shows the shape of Ruhr-region by using adjectives. The size of the wordon theof votes.
The more the votes,
biggeradjectives.
the letters of theadjectives
The figure 3depends
showsthenumbershapeof Ruhr-region
by theusing
Thesize of the word
are. Each word is used only two times.
3. Shape ofusing
Ruhr region
using the adjectives
givenfrom respondents(largerthe of the word,
Figure 3. ShapeFigureof Ruhr-region
the adjectives
given from
respondents(largerthe sizethe more respondents
considerrepresentative)
size of theword, themore respondents consider representative)

5

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研 究 所 年 報

depends on the number of votes. The more the votes, the bigger the letters of the adjectives
are. Each word is used only two times.

3.2 Important City Study
3.2 Important City Study
The respondents were asked to give three most important (biggest) cities in the RuhrThe respondents were asked to give three most important (biggest) cities in theregion. Dortmund and Essen were considered most important with 93% and 92% of the
Ruhr-region. Dortmund and Essen were considered most important with 93% and 92% of theanswers. Bochum comes next with 29 votes (48%), and followed by Duisburg with 25 votes
answers. Bochum comes next with 29 votes (48%), and followed by Duisburg with 25 votes(41%).
No othercitiesreceived
more
extremediscrepancy
discrepancyimplies
impliesthat
that(41%).
No othercitiesreceived
morethanthanthree
three votes.
votes. This
This extreme
peopleconsidered
these
four
Ruhr-region. However,
However,thisthisresult
resultpeopleconsideredthese
fourcities
citiesasasmain
main component
component ofof Ruhr-region.
must
be be
analyzed
carefully,
students ofofDortmund
DortmundTechnology
Technology
must
analyzed
carefully,since
sincethetherespondents
respondentswere
were allall students
University.
Dortmundwasconsidered
more
equal
importantasasEssen,
Essen,
University.
TheThefactfact
thatthat
Dortmundwasconsideredmoreororequalasas
importantandand Bochum
was consideredmore important
Duisburg
have
resulted
becauseDuisburg
maymayhave
resulted
becauseof oftheBochumwas consideredmore important
than than
the respondents
hadaﬃnity
more withaffinity
the easternarea of
Ruhr.
Still, someit gives
some
respondents
had more
thewitheasternarea of Ruhr.
Still,
it gives
perspective
perspective how
to understandhow people
conceive
the spatial
structure in It
Ruhr-region.
It is toto understandpeople conceive
the spatial
structurein Ruhr-region.
is worthwhile
worthwhile to point that how little people consider Gelsenkirchen (only one vote) as an
point that how little people consider Gelsenkirchen (only one vote) as an important city despite
important city despite its relatively huge population (260 thousand). It is also interesting to
its relatively huge population (260 thousand). It is also interesting to note that Wuppertal andnote that Wuppertal and Düsseldorf received 2 votes respectively, despite the fact that these
Düsseldorf received 2 votes respectively, despite the fact that these two cities do not belong totwo cities do not belong to Ruhr-region defined by RVR (refer to Figure 1).
Ruhr-region deﬁned by RVR (refer to Figure 1).
Figure4.4.Most
citiesininRuhr-region
Ruhr-region
FigureMostimportant
important cities
Dortmund
Essen
BochumDuisburg
Mülheim
Wuppertal
WittenErkenschwick
Düsseldorf
Oberhausen
Herne
Gelsenkirchen
Castrop-Rauxel
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

# of respondents

3.3 Image Map Study
3.3 Image Map Study
61 image maps were analyzed based on what the examinees have described on a map.
61
image
analyzed
basedon whatthe examinees
haveordescribedon a map.
The
The mapsmaps
werewereorganizedby thecontents
that they
have described
not. The contents
that

maps
were
organized
byare
thefollows.
contents that they have described or not. The contents that were
were
used
to quantify
usedquantify
are follows.
1) toRegional
Boundaries
2) City Boundaries

6

The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

71) Regional Boundaries
2) City Boundaries
3) Orientation
3) Orientation
4) Linear Structures (River, Railway, and Road)
4) Linear Structures (River, Railway, and Road)
5) Zone5) Zone6) Cities6) Cities7) Landmarks
7) Landmarks
The findingsof abovecontents
are describedin thefollowing.
The ﬁndingsof abovecontents
are describedin thefollowing.
1) Regional
Boundaries
1 ）Regional
Boundaries
77.0%
out
of 61) respondents
theboundaries.
regional boundaries.
The
regional
77.0% (47out (47of 61)
respondents
illustrated illustrated
the regional
The regionalboundaries
boundaries
were classified
the drawing.
shape of thedrawing.
The classificationof thewere classified
accordingto theaccording
shape oftothe
The
classificationof the drawing
drawing was “Oval”, “Rectangular,” “Gourd,” “Sea cucumber”, “Wedge in the bottom”,
was “Oval”, “Rectangular,” “Gourd,” “Sea cucumber”, “Wedge in the bottom”, “Diamond” and“Diamond” and “Unclassified” (Figure 3).
“Unclassiﬁed” (Figure 5).
Figure
The
classificationof boundary
Figure5. 3.
Theclassiﬁcationof boundary
drawingdrawing
10

Unclassified
2

DiamondWedge
in thebottonWedge
in bottom

5

Sea
cucumber
Seacucumber

16
2

Gourd

4

Rectangular

6

Oval
0

5

10

15

20

# of respondents

According to this classification, 34% (16 out of 47) of the respondents drew a regional
According to this classification, 34% (16 out of 47) of the respondents drew a regionalboundary that looked like a sea cucumber as shown in Image Map 1. 13% drew a regionalboundary that looked like a sea cucumber as shown in Image Map 1. 13% drew a regionalboundary oval and 11% drew it with some wedge kind of shape in bottom (Refer Image
boundary oval and 11% drew it with some wedge kind of shape in bottom (Refer Image Map 2).
Map 2).
Image Map 1

Image Map 1

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研 究 所 年 報

The wedge shape is actually the characteristic of spatial area of Ruhr-region. Figure 1
indicates the area of Ruhr-region by the definition of RVR. Ruhr-region has some kind of
peninsula structure in the south border. The respondents who drew this peninsula likely had
the knowledge of the area of RVR since this wedge shaped area, which lies south of Ruhr
River, has little characteristic of Ruhr-region.
Image Map 2

Oval, rectangular, and diamond are the simpliﬁcation of the regional spatial structure, but
it is diﬃcult to conclude that they are incorrect. This is because whether or not to include
wedge shaped area in the west of Hagen in Ruhr-region is debatable. In essence, the oval orrectangular shape may present the image of Ruhr better than the deﬁnition made by RVR.
2 ）City Boundaries
18.0% (11 out of 61) respondents described the city boundaries. Most of the respondents who
described the city boundaries had the correct disposition of the cities. However, some samples
had it wrong as shown in Image Map 3 (Gelsenkirchen is not located between Essen and
Bottrop but between Essen and Bochum).
Image Map 3

In addition, the dispositions of the four big cities were all correct except one (Image Map 4).
All other image maps that indicated these four big cities had correct disposition from west toeast; Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund in this order.
This fact implies that people have the strong image of the location of these big four cities
despite their lack of understanding of spatial structures of the region.

The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

9

Image Map 43 ）Orientation
Only 3.3% (2 out of 61) respondents indicated north. However, assuming the upwards ofletter would represent the north, 77% indirectly described the orientation by the letters. In
that sense, every respondent of this 77% indicated the north correctly. This is not always
the case with other image map study, and this fact is possibly due to the characteristics of
respondents (University students studying in Spatial Planning Department).
4 ）Linear Structures (River, Railway, and Road)(4-1) River
50.8% of the respondents described Linear Structure. 37.7% drew rivers, 3.3% drew
train lines, and 9.8% drew highway network. This result implies that rivers are the main
components for people to comprehend the spatial image of Ruhr-region. It is quite naturalthat the name of Ruhr derives from the Ruhr River. However, the Ruhr River is not the mostdrawn river. The Rhine is the most drawn river with 32.8%. Ruhr being second with 29.5%.
Emscher is third with 23.0%, and Lippe being forth with 6.6%. For many respondents, Rhein
River seems to be perceived as a western edge of Ruhr-region.
(4-2) Railway
Only 4.9 % (3 out of 61) drew Railway network. It is a bit surprising since the railway
network is quite dense and train provides frequent service is in Ruhr-region. All the
respondents that drew Railway network described S1 line, which is the main arterial of Ruhrregion that connects Duisburg, Mülheim, Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund. Only one respondent
described S2 line despites its importance in terms of public transportation network. S2connects Duisburg, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, and Dortmund. This second arterial of
Ruhr Region seems to be overlooked in terms of spatial image.
(4-3) Highway
9.8% (6 out of 61) drew Highway network. Comparing with the number of respondents thatdrew rivers, this can be considered as a small percent. 4 respondents drew A40 and three
respondents drew A42. A40 connects Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund. This highway
is considered to be the main arterial of Ruhr-region. A42 connects Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen,and Herne.

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研 究 所 年 報

secondarterialof RuhrRegionseems
be overlooked
in termsof spatial
image.
secondarterialof RuhrRegionseems
to be tooverlooked
in termsof spatial
image.

5 ）Zone(4-3) Highway(4-3)four
Highway
Only
respondents drew certain zones in the map. However, what they indicated is(6ofout
ofdrew61) drew
Highway
network.
Comparing
withindicated,
the numberof respondents
9.8% 9.8%(6Of
outfour
61)
Highway
network.
Comparingwiththenumberof“landscaperespondents
interesting.
respondents,
two
indicated“green-zone,”and onethat drew
thisbecanbe considered
as a small
percent.
4 respondents
A40 andthat drew
rivers,rivers,
this canconsidered
as a small
percent.
4 respondents
drew drew
A40 andzone.”
three
respondents
A40 connects
Duisburg,
Essen,
Bochum,and Dortmund.
respondents
drew drew
A42. A42.
A40 connects
Duisburg,
Essen,
Bochum,and Dortmund.
6three）Cities
is considered
to thebe mainthewasmain
arterialof withRuhr-region.
A42
connects
This
highway
is considered
to beDortmund
arterialof Ruhr-region.
A42
connects
72% Thisofthe highway
respondents
drew cities.
most
depicted
68.9%.
Duisburg
Oberhausen,
Gelsenkirchen,
andHerne.
 Bochum was fourth with 60.7%. The
Oberhausen,
andHerne.
62.3%,
  andwassecondwithGelsenkirchen,
67.2%,
Essen was
third
with
number of image map that depicted various cities in Ruhr-region is shown in Table 1.
Figure6 depicts the city with many indications in the image map with a bigger circle. The
5) Zone5) Zoneﬁgurecity with
than
three
From
this ﬁgure,the image
of is
Only
four therespondents
drew
certainzones
the map.
However,they indicatedisOnlyonly
fourshows
respondents
drewmorecertainzones
inindications.
theinmap.
However,what whatthey
indicated
Ruhr-region
that
possess
is twomore twoor less
concentrated
betweenDuisburginteresting.
Of four
respondents,
indicated“green-zone,”
andone
indicated,interesting.
Ofrespondents
four
respondents,
indicated“green-zone,”andtheone
indicated,
Essen-Bochum-Dortmund“landscape“landscapezone.”zone.”corridors. It is interesting to note that despite only few indicatedthat cities in S2 corridor such as Gelsenkirchen and Oberhausen important in Question 2,
still drew their name on the map.
6) Cities
6)respondent
CitiesThis resultthat people consider
Ruhr-region
muchwasmore
compact
than withthe deﬁnition
72% impliesof the respondents
drew cities.
Dortmundmost
depicted
68.9%. Duisburg

72% of the respondents drew cities. Dortmund was most depicted with 68.9%. Duisburg

of RVR which is the outline of Figure 6. From the result of this study, the spatial image ofwas second
with 67.2%,
was with
third 62.3%,
with 62.3%,
and Bochum
was fourthwith 60.7%.
was second
with 67.2%,
EssenEssen
was third
and Bochum
was fourthwith 60.7%.

Ruhr-region is more or less concentrated in the corridor between Duisburg and Dortmund, theThe numberof imagemapdepictedthat depictedvariousin Ruhr-regionis shown
in Table
1.
The numberof image
map thatvariouscities cities
in Ruhr-regionis shown
in Table1.

south bounded by Ruhr River and the north by Emscher River. The cities along Lippe River,Table
1. Citywith thethe number
drawn
in theTable
1. withCitywiththe number
drawn
the maps
Table
1. Citynumberdrawn
inmapstheinmaps

City City# of drawn
map drawn# of map

DortmundDortmundDuisburg
Duisburg
EssenEssen
BochumBochumGelsenkirchen
Gelsenkirchen
Muelheim
Muelheim
Obehausen
Obehausen
HerneHerne
Recklinghausen
Recklinghausen
Castrop-Rauxel
Castrop-Rauxel
HagenHagen
WittenWitten
Unna Unna
Bottrop
Bottrop
Hattingen
Hattingen
Duesseldorf
Duesseldorf
Dinslaken
Dinslaken
HammHamm
Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wattensheid
Wattensheid
Waltrop
Waltrop
LuenenLuenenSauerland
Sauerland

42
41
38
37
24
21
18
15
10
9
8
8
6
6
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2

42
41
38
37
24
21
18
15
10
9
8
8
6
6
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2

10

10

The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

11

Figure4. Cities
withrespondents’drawing
Figure6. Cities
withmany
many indications
indications ininrespondentsʼ
drawing
mapsmaps

Figure 4 depicts the city with many indications in the image map with a bigger circle. The

suchfigure
as Weselin the thewest,andthanMarlin themiddle, andin thetheeast
seem
only shows
cityDorsten
with more
three
indications.
FromHamm
this figure,image
of not to
Ruhr-region
that respondents
is moreimage.
or less concentrated between the
be includedin Ruhr-Region
in thepossess
respondentsʼ
Duisburg-Essen- Bochum- Dortmund corridors. It is interesting to note that despite only few
7 ）Landmarks
indicated
thatofcities
in S2 corridor
suchofasLandmarks
Gelsenkirchen
and Oberhausen
in drawn
11.5%(7 out61) drewsome kindin theirimage map.important
The most
Question 2, respondent still drew their name on the map.
landmark was Zollverein in Essen with 5. This is the only World Heritage Site in the RuhrThis result implies that people consider Ruhr-region much more compact than theregion. Three respondents drew Schalke 04 Football Stadium in Gelsenkirchen.
definition of RVR which is the outline of Figure 4. From the result of this study, the spatial
8 ）Summary of Image Map
image of Ruhr-region is more or less concentrated in the corridor between Duisburg and
Figure 7 shows the synthesized map of image elements that were illustrated by
Dortmund, the south bounded by Ruhr River and the north by Emscher River. The cities along
respondents. The image elements were shown in correct conﬁguration to actual map. As noted
Lippe River, such as Wesel in the west, Dorsten and Marl in the middle, and Hamm in the east
previously, the three rivers play quite an important role for people to recognize the spatial
seem not to be included in Ruhr-Region in the respondents’ image.
structure of the region.
7) Landmarks
11.5% (7 out of 61) drew some kind of Landmarks in their image map. The most drawn
FigureSynthesized map
map ofof image
image elements
elements
Figure 7.
5. Synthesizedlandmark was Zollverein in Essen with 5. This is the only World Heritage Site in the
Ruhr-region. Three respondents drew Schalke 04 Football Stadium in Gelsenkirchen.
8) Summary of Image Map
Figure 5 shows the synthesized map of image elements that were illustrated byrespondents. The image elements were shown in correct configuration to actual map. As
noted previously, the three rivers play quite an important role for people to recognize thespatial structure of the region.

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On the contrary, public infrastructure such as highways and railways does not support
people to construct the spatial image. Cities that respondents illustrated concentrated in thearea between Duisburg and Dortmund, and between Ruhr River and Emscher River. This
area seems to be the image core of Ruhr-region. It should be noted that there were little

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On the contrary, public infrastructure such as highways and railways does not support
people to construct the spatial image. Cities that respondents illustrated concentrated in thearea between Duisburg and Dortmund, and between Ruhr River and Emscher River. This area
seems to be the image core of Ruhr-region. It should be noted that there were little landmarks
drawn in the image maps. This fact suggests that there seem to be not enough presence of
landmarks in Ruhr-region despite peopleʼs eager eﬀort to promote them.

4．Analyses and Conclusion
4.1 Analyses
The result of study suggests the followings.
4.1.1 The difficulty to understand the regional spatial structure.
Most of the respondents did not have clear idea of the spatial image of Ruhr-region. This
fact is quite striking noticing that the examinees were all university students studying in
spatial planning department. This fact suggests that people ﬁnd it diﬃcult to understand Ruhrregion spatially.
The main factor that respondents orient the region is by rivers, especially Rhein River andRuhr River. The “E shape” created by Rhine, Ruhr, Emscher, and Lippe River as shown in
Image Map 5 is a typical spatial structure to grasp the region.
Some respondents just drew Rhine and Ruhr like 90 degrees rotated “T shape” as a simpler
model of “E shape.” This east-west parallel lineal structure with a north-south arterial in thewest side of the region can be seen not only with rivers but also highway and railway as well.
There are only a few image maps showing highway structure instead of rivers. This fact
implies that river is the main components for people to understand the spatial structure of
Ruhr-region. Few people drew the railway network.
Image Map 5

The Image Study of Ruhr-Region

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4.1.2 Complex nature of the area of Ruhr-region
Majority of students understand the Ruhr-region in a narrower definition, which is thearea stretching from Duisburg to Dortmund. The southbound of the region in the majorityʼs
image was Ruhr River and the northbound of which was not Lippe River but Emscher River.
This assumption is enhanced by the “important city study.” The most important cities that
respondents considered were Dortmund, Essen, Bochum, and Duisburg. These four cities thatlies along railway S1 line and highway 40 are the main components of Ruhr-region that people
imagine. Peoplesʼ image of Ruhr-region is much more compact than the definition of Ruhrregion by RVR. It should also be noted that most of the respondents had correct disposition ofabove four cities. Respondents may not understand the spatial structure of the region so much,
however, they do understand the disposition of these big four cities.
4.1.3 New image of Ruhr-region is not well connected to spatial image of the area
From adjective study, some percentage of the respondents had the “new” image of the areaby choosing adjectives such as “cultural” and “green” . However, in drawing the image map,
only few respondents described the new image of the region. The fact that ﬁve respondents
drew Zollverein may imply that some people are starting to have the new image of Ruhrregion. However, landmark is just a spot, and the fact that only two respondents indicatedgreen space of the region and only one indicated landscape zone, the strategies to generate
new regional image may not have gained so much success to this date. Not a single respondent
drew Landscape Park in Duisburg despite its number of annual visitors being as many as
Zollverein.

4.2 Conclusion
The study result implies that the concept of Ruhr-region still have difficulties creating
physical image to people to this date. One can argue that the region has diﬃculties imagining
the physical image due to its complex networks of transportation structures. In the image
study conducted in Los Angeles, Lynch had found that most of people image the city structureby the freeway network

5）. This is definitely not a case in Ruhr-region. The result of thisstudy implies that most of respondents perceived the regional structure by rivers rather thanhighway or railway network. The lack of landmarks illustrated in the image maps implies that
there are few spatial components that help to reorganize the spatial image of this area except
rivers.
Many respondents had hard time understanding the spatial structure of the region, however,5 ）Kevin Lynch, “Image of The City” MIT Press, 1960

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they do understand the disposition of the four big cities; Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, andDortmund.
The new post-industrial image of the Ruhr-region is more or less understood conceptually,
but not in tangible sense. This can be derived from the fact that very few respondents drew
post-industrial features in their image map, including new landmarks.
The sampling procedure that was taken limits the generalization of findings. However,
the author believes that the result of this survey does raise some issues associated with theregional image of Ruhr-region.
References:Hall, Peter. “Global City-Regions in the Twenty-ﬁrst Century” in Global City Region. Oxford University
Press, 2001
Hattori, Keiro. Study of the Spatial Image of the City of Kuala Lumpur. EDRA 30/1999
Kaltenbrunner, Robert. “The city turned into a region ‒ concepts for action in agglomerations” inShrinking Cities, Vol.2. Hatje Cantz Pub, 2006.
Lynch, Kevin. Image of the City. MIT Press, 1960.
Reicher, Christa et al. Schichten einer Region. Jovis, 2011.