The district of Recklinghausen has bought the Sythengrund GmbH site in Haltern - Sythen. During the world wars, explosives for military use were produced in addition to technical explosives for mining. The production history of more than 100 years has resulted in pollutant loads in the soil, groundwater and building fabric.

The buildings, which were formerly used by WASAG and until 2018 by a tenant, have only been partially dismantled and are in a dilapidated condition, mostly scattered around the site. The production facilities, which were shut down at the end of 2018, were decommissioned by the tenant in accordance with the BImSchG.

In April 2018, BIG was commissioned with the technical and organisational support of the transfer of ownership from Sythengrund GmbH to the district of Recklinghausen as well as the development of maintenance and security concepts for the custodial operation. Furthermore, since December 2018, BIG has been commissioned with the project management for the preparation of a conceptual framework planning for the ecological and nature-compatible development of the site, taking into account a commercial subsequent use.

Client: District of Recklinghausen
Total project duration: since 04/2018, ongoing
Total project costs: approx. € 10 million
Area size: approx. 210 ha

BIG's share of benefits:

• Researching the technical and economic site information and developing a concept for the maintenance, management and upkeep of the custodial operation in the transitional period until it is put to subsequent use
• Preparation of a decision paper on the preservation of existing buildings incl. building management
• Takeover of the remaining site staff and coordination of site management
• Preparation of the site transfer and change of ownership
• Development of a utilisation concept for the revitalisation / revitalisation of the old armament site
• Developing urban land-use planning in consultation with all planning stakeholders
• Advising the client on the development of the land with a special focus on ecological and nature-compatible use
• Project management of the conceptual framework planning for the site