The landscape of one of the most industrialized regions of Europe, the Ruhr, did change radically in the past decades. Coal mines and heavy industries have largely disappeared, leaving space to a unique human-altered environment where natural succession coexists with overwhelming industrial leftovers. From Duisburg on the west to Dortmund on the east, this landscape in transition can be explored either officially, following the industrial heritage routes designed by the IBA Emscher Park (1989-99), or through the many hidden spots where industrial change is still alive and kicking, such as closing down mines, abandoned blast furnaces and forgotten workers neighborhoods.