A breath of fresh air: How three disused industrial areas became beautiful parks

Nov 25, 2019

People walk along High Line park on a warm autumn day in New York November 11, 2014. The High Line, renovated into a public park, was formerly an elevated railway 30 feet above the city's West Side that was built in 1934 for freight trains hauling dairy products, produce and meats and had become derelict after the rail closed in 1980. REUTERS/John Schults (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY CITYSCAPE) - GM1EABC1B7I01

New York City's High Line is one example of how cities around the world are transforming former industrial sites. Image: REUTERS/John Schults

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New York City’s High Line walkway was once a rail line that cut among the skyscrapers.

New York City’s High Line is a former rail line to deliver food across the city. Image: High Line

Today, the High Line park runs for 2.4 km above the streets of New York. Image: Reuters/Mike Segar

For 50 years, Hiriya landfill, outside Tel Aviv was the dumping ground for much of the country’s waste.

For 50 years, Tel Aviv's Hiriya landfill was the dumping ground for much of the country’s waste. Image: Reuters/Gil Cohen Magen

Today, Hiriya has become Ariel Sharon Park, housing art exhibitions like this one made of recycled materials.

Today, Hiriya has become Ariel Sharon Park, with art exhibitions like this one made of recycled materials. Image: Reuters/Nir Elias

Seen from above before its transformation, the Westpark Bochum is a tangle of industrial buildings.

Westpark Bochum before its transformation to parkland. Image: Regionalverband Ruhr

Today, visitors to Westpark Bochum, part of the Emscher Landscape Park, can picnic beside former steelworks.

Today, Westpark Bochum is part of the Emscher Landscape Park. Image: Regionalverband Ruhr

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