The "Ruhr InnovationCity, Modellstadt Bottrop" project is an innovative model for Bottrop, a city in the German Ruhr area which has been developing ideas and innovative solutions to face the challenges of climate and structural change in urban areas since 2010.The "Bottrop laboratory" showed how it was possible to put in place a climate friendly urban re-arrangement and to secure industrial sites. Thanks to a combined cooperation of all stakeholders (city, citizens, politicians, companies, scientists) and with the support of the EU, this first-of-the-kind project at the national level has allowed to reduce the total CO2 emissions by a half, thus increasing life quality in the area.