Since 1981 the pro Ruhrgebiet association has been honouring personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the Ruhr region. The basis for this decision is a public call for entries in which a visionary for sustainable and forward-looking building from and in the Metropole Ruhr is sought.
Due to the large number of “buildings as statements of regional identity and forward-looking architecture”, the jury chaired by Helmut an de Meulen has now awarded Eckhard Gerber the honorary title of “Citizen of the Ruhr Area”.
From the pro Ruhrgebiet jury report on the Dortmunder U – Centre for Art and Creativity, the basement tower block of the former Union Brewery converted on the occasion of the Capital of Culture Year 2010: “The Dortmunder U, a symbol of modern sustainable Ruhr architecture with worldwide appeal, bears Gerber’s clear design signature, which always focuses on openness and creates places where people like to go and spend time.”