Renaming Villages Amid Mining Changes

In Erkelenz, a unique opportunity arises as the community seeks new names for villages near the Garzweiler opencast mine. With the premature cessation of lignite extraction, the original villages have been preserved, leading to a need for distinct identities.

Some villages have already adopted new names, while others await their redesignation. The transformation of the mining area into a vast lake is planned, but the villages will remain intact.

This unusual situation has prompted local residents to engage in the naming process, ensuring that their voices contribute to the future of their community.