New companies such as Opel and Nokia have taken their place. After the present period of structural change in Bochum and the Ruhr they, too, will have yielded their dominant position to the service sector. Already insurance companies, the public sector, scientific and cultural organisations employ more people in the town than manufacturing industry. Increasingly it is the universities and the technology centres which are attracted to them as if by magic and are now leaving their mark on the face of the city. And whereas it was the miners' corner pub which once monopolised communication, students, actors and all kinds of inventors now meet in rock cafes, bistros or discos.
Sweat is out and brains are in.
Facts about Bochum HomePage Geographical Location Bochum is in the centre of the Ruhr-Area. The town covers an area of 145.4 sq. Bochum is first mentioned in writing under the name of Cofbuokheim in a document of the archbishops of Cologne. Count Engelbert II von der Mark gives Bochum its town charter. A terrible fire devastates the town and church.