Karl Ganser (1937-2022) decisively shaped the urban and regional development of North Rhine-Westphalia with his vision of an industrial cultural landscape and his thoughtful approach to urban renewal. As a kind of father of the new Ruhr area (according to former German President Johannes Rau in 1999), Ganser paved the way for numerous projects - especially as part of the Emscher Park international building exhibition - that continue to define the region and public perception of the Ruhr area to this day. This book examines and showcases the work of Karl Ganser. Well-known contemporaries provide insights into his professional career which included spells at the Technical University of Munich and at the city s department of urban planning, at the federal research institute for regional studies and planning in Bonn, at the ministry for regional and urban development (MLS/MSWV) in Düsseldorf and at the international building exhibition in Gelsenkirchen. An additional selection of Ganser s writings allows readers to discover his truly inter- and transdisciplinary way of thinking and acting as regards ecology, urban and regional planning, art, and culture. In this publication, a total of 42 authors from various disciplines explore Ganser s many ideas for sustainable urban and regional development as well as his lifelong commitment to the protection of nature and historical monuments.
