The photo series “ESSEN 51” deals with the post-industrial transformation of an urban landscape. The Krupp cast steel factory, the nucleus of the later Krupp armaments group and German heavy industry, was built on the site shown at the beginning of the 19th century. Strongly destroyed in World War II, parts of the areal were used for locomotive and wagon construction until 1997. Due to years of non-use, the natural vegetation on the former industrial site has been reintroduced and spread. The remains of the buildings can still be seen in some detail. In the year 2018 the redevelopment of the brownfield was started. Over the next 20 years, the area should be converted into a new urban district, the 51st of Essen. Up to 2,500 apartments and various commercial units are to be built.
Swen Bernitz, born 1970 in Berlin (East). Self-taught photographer, since 2008 documentary long-term projects on the topics of built environment, urban landscapes and modern urban development.
Website: swenbernitz.de
