Campus Marxloh - Neighbourhood Educational Centre

Marxloh was historically a neighbourhood of steelworkers and miners. It has undergone many decades of socio-economic structural change and varying patterns of immigration. Statistically, the neighbourhood is young and ethnically diverse, but unfortunately also relatively undereducated, underemployed and poor.

The project Campus Marxloh was initiated as part of the integrated urban development concept ‘Strong neighbourhoods -strong people’ (ERDF). The main objective was to build a new educational centre on the site of the local comprehensive school.
Following a feasibility study –that was also an intensive participation process– and an architectural competition, the initial plans were drawn up and the Duisburg City Council approved construction of the building in early 2019. At the same time, the city guaranteed funding for the long-term operation of the educational centre. After these requirements were fulfilled, the city applied for and received approval for EU urban development funding (ERDF) in late 2019. Construction work began in 2020 and was completed at the end of 2024. Campus Marxloh will officially open in 2025.

The campus concept is based on five pillars: formal and informal education, career orientation and training, health education, social work / self-help and art and culture. Around 30 organisations will use the rooms in Campus Marxloh to offer a wide range of programmes, courses and activities. The building itself is comprised of ca. 90 rooms on four floors, with a full basement and a rooftop garden. The rooms include workshops for metal, wood and textile design and for painting/wallpapering, music and art rooms, seminar and meeting rooms, offices and council rooms, as well as a library and a kitchen for cookery and nutritional courses. The modern architectural design with its large windows, the bright red façade and colourful interior creates an open and inviting atmosphere.
The extensive participation process that accompanied the project should be particularly emphasised. Under the direction of the city Office for Urban Development and Project Management and with the support of the private planning office steg NRW GmbH, numerous workshops were held in which the user organisations were able to actively participate. The overall process involved education providers, social organisations and private stakeholders. The results of this participation were incorporated into the types of rooms needed, the design of the floor plans, the characteristics of the rooms, the furnishings of the building and the definition of common values, objectives and rules for cooperative use of the building and for visitors. Regular consultation with future users ensured that their needs were taken into account. At the same time, the workshops provided a platform for networking and exchanging ideas. The neighbourhood residents were informed about the project at neighbourhood and school festivals, with banners on the construction site and in the media.

Campus Marxloh successfully combined education, integration and participation. By involving stakeholders at an early stage, it was possible to develop a needs-oriented programme. By concentrating a wide range of offerings into one location, integration and social support are more easily accessible for the residents. The organisations that use the building bring their participants and clients with them, so that the trust people have in the organisations will be transferred to the new building.

Campus Marxloh will serve as a central location for integration and education for all „Marxloher“. The goal is that it will become the first place immigrants go when they seek training, counseling and activities to integrate into German society. The center will also provide a wide range of activities and community interaction for all residents. Despite ongoing challenges, this project will make a sustainable contribution towards positive neighbourhood development.
Campus Marxloh is an example of an integrated approach to urban development and social cohesion that targets redevelopment and integration projects into specific areas in order to address social challenges. The idea of a neighbourhood educational centre can be applied to similar urban areas. It is advantageous to work with schools and local organisations in order to gain access to the community. The close cooperation between public institutions, civil society actors and educational organisations guarantees sustainable results.

https://www.duisburg.de/microsites/campus_marxloh/