The trading estate market

Spaces and areas for ideas

A key factor in the economic development of any region is the amount of space available for trading, offices and industry. Up until the 1980s the Metropole Ruhr, particularly in the Emscher zone, was dominated by large areas of mono-functional trading estates and factories; now the region has a considerably more differentiated and higher quality range of commercial activities. This can be put down to the decline of coal and steel, and also to more active dealings in developing particular areas. Business firms operating on a national and international basis prefer sites which can be reached quickly, are legally secure and are connected to an excellent network of transport facilities. People are placing more and more importance on sites which are integrated into urban life, sites with a particular profile and a high quality of living, and logistics sites.

If we compare supply and demand for sites, in most communities of the Metropole Ruhr the supply of commercial areas is sufficiently high to meet short-term demand.

The investor service run by the Wirtschaftsförderung metropoleruhr GmbH economic development agency offers comprehensive information about commercial and industrial areas and commercial properties. The service can help anyone wishing to obtain an overview of available commercial and industrial spaces, anyone requiring a central contact partner for the 53 communities or a detailed analysis of the commercial situation or indeed anyone with specific site requirements.