Rapid and uncontrolled growth presented numerous new challenges for many western German cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf or Duisburg at the start of the twentieth century. The changes that have taken place in the settlement area between Bonn and Duisburg over the past hundred years have been profound, exemplifying several “universal” developments. This book sheds light on both the actual developments by the Rhine and on general questions that underlie them, engagingly illustrating the dynamic developmental history of the economic and cultural artery that is the Rhine up to the present. It also treats new challenges such as climate change that the region is faced with. Lukas Roth’s impressive photographs splendidly reflect the discussed issues.

With contributions by: Gerd Albers, Friedrich von Borries, Martina Löw, Gerhard Matzig, Wolfgang Pehnt, Hanno Rauterberg, Wolfgang Sonne, Christoph Vitali