attempt to hush the incident up. In Essen they became aware of the increased radiation as they had been taking regular measurements ever since the Chernobyl disaster. 1988 – The Initiativkreis Ruhrgebiet is founded. 1989 – The Internationale Bauausstellung Emscher Park begins its work. 1992 – In December, the Kokerei Kaiserstuhl in Dortmund starts business as one of the most modern Kokerei in Europe. The installation will only operate for eight years. 1993 – The first Mayday takes place in the Westfalenhalle. It is the largest indoor rave in Germany and until today a part of the Techno culture. 1994 – In December an EU-Summit is held in Essen, in the Grugahalle. The most important themes for the Council of the European Union are suggestions for fighting unemployment and for the promotion of equality of opportunity in the European Union. 1995 – The Ruhr becomes a part of the newly defined European metropolitan area Rhine-Ruhr. 1995 – The last base of the British Army of the Rhine in the Ruhr, Suffolk Barracks in Dortmund, closes on 17 November. 1996 – On 11 September, the CentrO shopping centre in Oberhausen is opened. It is the core of the Neue Mitte, built on the grounds of the former Gutehoffnungshütte and a visible sign of economic change in the Ruhr. 1997 – As part of the Bundesgartenschau in Gelsenkirchen, the grounds of the former Nordstern Mine is converted into the Landschaftspark Nordsternpark. 1999 – Final stages of the IBA Emscher Park – portraying new uses for the Inner Harbour in Duisburg. 21st century 2004 – The Kommunalverband Ruhrgebiet (KVR) is replaced by the Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR). On the insistence of the towns of the Reich district, this body has extended rights and has now, for example, authority over so-called master-plans such as the conversion of the Emscher system to an underground Emscherkanal. 2004 – Adam Opel AG plans to lose several thousand jobs in Bochum. A wildcat strike, unauthorized by IG Metall and against their own Betriebsrat brings European production to a standstill. On 19 October, 25,000 people gathered on the Platz am Schauspielhaus as a spontaneous display of solidarity. 2005 – The introduction of Hartz IV. Almost a million people in the Ruhr are affected. 2005 – The formation of a Regionalpräsidiums Ruhrgebiet is announced by the parties in the North Rhine-Westphalian government. 2005 – In Duisburg and its neighbours of Mülheim