Düren is planning a revolutionary innovation district: vision for the future!

Düren is planning a revolutionary innovation district: vision for the future!

A lot is happening in Düren! The city has started planning for the Düren Innovation Quarter, or IQD for short, which is to be built along the Aachen-Cologne railway line. The heart of the project will be the Innovation Center Düren (ICD) at the southern entrance to the station. As Radio Rur reports, the renowned planning office ATP was commissioned as general planner to get this future-oriented project off the ground.

The urban planning concept is promising and includes, among other things, a pedestrian and cycle path promenade with several new squares. A bike station with around 700 parking spaces should not be missing, which offers cyclists in Düren an attractive opportunity to expand their mobility options. In addition, the Nelly Pütz vocational college will be integrated as an open campus on the southern station forecourt, which will enrich the city's educational landscape.

Research and innovation in focus

It is important for Düren to shine as a location for innovation. Two central research focuses of the innovation quarter are the Paper Model Factory (MFP) and the Digital Nonwoven Innovation Center (D-NIC). These facilities are being set up in close cooperation with the paper industry and RWTH Aachen. This shows that Düren not only focuses on economic aspects, but also on creating new impulses with the best minds in the region.

To ensure the functionality of the entire district, extensive sewer and retention work is planned. This will create an underground retention basin between Josef-Schregel-Straße and the city center. In addition, the existing bus lane will be relocated to the foot of the railway embankment in order to optimize traffic routing in the area of ​​the new district. The square north of Gutenbergstrasse is also being redesigned and will become a spacious city square in the near future.

Sustainable urban development

The vision for Düren goes beyond pure infrastructure. Nowadays, sustainable urban development is more important than ever. According to Fraunhofer Institute, cities are complex systems that require permanent adaptation. By 2050, more than half of Europe's population is expected to live in cities. It is therefore essential that Düren moves towards ecological sustainability, economic viability and social justice.

In this context, digital technologies play an important role in building “smart cities”. A digital image, also called a digital twin, can help improve quality of life and sustainability. For example, digital twins support intelligent traffic control and the adaptation of infrastructure to the needs of citizens.

The Düren Innovation Quarter is financially supported by federal, state and Rhenish mining resources, which further strengthens the project. With a clear plan and modern approach, Düren could soon be considered a showcase project for sustainable urban development.