The Proposal undergoes adjustments, as decided by the Council.

A Contentious Decision: Renaming Five Villages near the Garzweiler Open-Pit Mine

Mine site in Garzweiler housing twin villages: Council makes decision on their fate - The Proposal undergoes adjustments, as decided by the Council.

Let's dive into the heart of the matter: After the abrupt phase-out of brown coal promotions, the five rescued villages from the Garzweiler open-pit mine are on the brink of a pivotal decision about their new names. The city council of Erkelenz votes on this matter on Wednesday evening, starting at 6 PM.

These villages, initially home to nearly 1,600 residents, now house 229 locals and 354 refugees. They are nestled in the lap of the city of Erkelenz, which boasts a total population of 45,000 inhabitants.

The decision to phase out coal was finalized when many residents had already relocated. They now reside in new housing estates, bearing the same names as the original villages, but with the addition "new". However, since multiple places with the same name are not permitted within the city limits of Erkelenz, the city council will cast their vote. Both the names of the original villages – Keyenberg, Kuckum, Unterwestrich, Oberwestrich, and Berverath, as well as the names of the relocated villages, will be put up for a vote individually.

Objective: A Sustainable, Acceptable Solution

A straightforward solution could be to prefix "old" or "new" to the current village names. Another proposal under consideration is to keep the names Unterwestrich and Oberwestrich as they are, while the resettlement site will be named Westrich in the future. The new names are set to come into effect on July 1, 2026.

For the city of Erkelenz, the aim is to formulate a sustainable and satisfactory solution for all parties involved. It is crucial to account for the historical, emotional, and practical dimensions of this unique situation. Citizens were invited to submit name suggestions.

Villages that once echoed climate activist protests

The villages situated near the Garzweiler open-pit mine, south of Mönchengladbach, were once hotspots for protests against the extraction of brown coal. The occupied village of Lützerath was razed by thousands of police officers in January 2023, giving way to the open-pit mine. The courts had granted the green light.

At the adjacent Hambach open-pit mine, a name change took place last summer. The formerly known Morschenich is now referred to as Bürgewald. The name Morschenich lives on in the area where the relocated residents dwell.

• Garzweiler
• Brown Coal Mining
• Open-Pit Mine
• Erkelenz
• Brown Coal
• Unterwestrich
• Oberwestrich

Points to Ponder:

1. Environmental and Economic Impacts: The closure of open-pit mines often brings about significant environmental and economic transitions in affected regions. These changes may entail rehabilitation efforts and potential transformations in local identities or infrastructure.
2. Place Renaming: Historically, place names have been altered for various reasons, such as economic, political, or cultural shifts. For instance, numerous places have been renamed following changes in national borders or political ideologies.
3. Rehabilitation and Renewal: Once mines close, areas often undergo rehabilitation, which may encompass the restoration of natural habitats and the development of new infrastructure. This process can lead to changes in local identities, possibly including name changes to signify new purposes or identities.
4. Examples from Germany: In Germany, industrial areas have undergone significant transformations after mine closures. For example, the Ruhr Valley has morphed from an industrial hub to a more service-oriented region, though specific name changes due to mine closures are not extensively documented.
5. Global Context: Globally, the closure of industrial facilities has led to changes in local economies and identities. Nonetheless, specific examples of village renaming after mine closures might not be widely documented.

To find historical precedents of village renaming following brown coal mine closures in Germany, an in-depth exploration of local historical records and studies concerning post-industrial transformation is necessary.

1. In light of the decision to phase out brown coal mining, the city council of Erkelenz is considering new names for five villages previously surrounding the Garzweiler open-pit mine, including Keyenberg, Kuckum, Unterwestrich, Oberwestrich, and Berverath, as well as their relocated counterparts.
2. The city of Erkelenz is aiming to find a sustainable and acceptable solution that accounts for historical, emotional, and practical dimensions, with citizens encouraged to submit name suggestions.
3. The environmental and economic impacts of closing open-pit mines, such as the Garzweiler, often lead to significant transitions in affected regions, including rehabilitation efforts and potential transformations in local identities or infrastructure.
4. Historically, place names have been altered for various reasons, and in Germany, numerous places have been renamed following changes in national borders or political ideologies. Post-industrial transformations, such as the closure of brown coal mines, may also result in corresponding name changes to signify new purposes or identities.

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