Projects
Following an evaluation of its activities to date, the Foundation is committed to bringing a sharper focus to its support and promotion activities in public urban spaces. These activities can be assigned to the individual core themes of the Foundation – light, green or developed space - or simultaneously to more than one of these themes.
Völklinger Hütte steelworks - UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Völklinger Hütte steelworks are one of the landmarks of the Saarland region and were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
In 1999, an illumination scheme was installed at the Völklinger Hütte by the well-known Berlin-based light and sound artist Hans-Peter Kuhn, and the concept is today still the technically biggest permanent artistic lighting installation of its kind anywhere in the world.
After the installation had been in operation for ten years, it was necessary to modernize the system. With the financial support of the "Lebendige Stadt" Foundation, a new concept was developed and implemented that not only meets the strict criteria for a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fulfills the copyright stipulations of the artist but that is also advantageous from an ecological point of view. The conversion of the installation to LED technology reduces both CO2 emissions and illuminant wear.
The modernized light installation officially went back into service and was handed over to the public at a ceremony held on November 8, 2009.