Esch sur Alzette – Cultural Urban Open Space

For a long time Esch-sur-Alzette and its environs were dominated by two main elements: haut fournaux (blast ovens) and red soil.  The grand Duchy of Luxembourg's second largest city is situated in a relatively flat part of the country close to the border with France.  The discovery of iron ore lead to the city's transformation into a steel city in the 19th century, which in turn attracted many immigrants. Iron ore mining and steel production then defined the image of the city and its landscape until the steel crisis in the second half of the 20th century.  Restructuring of the region began after the closure of many mines and steel factories, and an emphasis was put on services, culture, education, and science. In the mid-1980s restoration efforts began in the city centre and the continuous exodus of inhabitants from the city ended. In the rebuilding and renovation of Esch-sur-Alzette, urban and landscape planning strategies and the redesign of public space has played a key role, and many urban plazas and streets have been transformed.  The redesign of the Place de la Résistance in the central Brill neighbourhood can be viewed within this context.  The original concept foresees a classical urban plaza in the tradition of European garden design.  This is combined with an artistic concept linked to the significance of steel production and immigration within the area. In this way, the plaza has been improved and strengthened and has become a representative and accessible area in which people meet spontaneously.  This corresponds to its function as a public space within an urban fabric in the sense of European cultural space.