PHOENIX SEE
DORTMUND

Lake Phoenix was created on the site of the former Phoenix-Ost steelworks in Dortmund-Hörde following its closure in 2001. The transformation project began in 2006 with the aim of enabling a new use as a residential and leisure area through soil remediation and excavation. Completed in 2011, the approximately 24-hectare lake is not only used for leisure activities, but also for flood protection and ecological enhancement, as it acts as a natural retention basin and can absorb additional water during heavy rainfall. This reduces the risk of flooding in the surrounding areas. The lake is also integrated into the renaturation of the Emscher, whereby its connection to the river improves the water quality and contributes to the ecological revitalization of the Emscher valley. The Phoenix Lake is thus an example of the successful transformation of industrially used areas into valuable urban habitats that meet both ecological and social requirements.