A City of Two Faces: Social Divide and Crime in Essen

While Essen at the heart of the Ruhr Area is home to numerous international corporations, life is far from easy for all its residents. Social inequality is particularly stark here, more noticeable than in most other German cities. In the northern districts, such as the (former) working-class neighbourhood of Altendorf, ghetto-like conditions prevail, where the poorest in society live in near-total destitution. The result is rampant street-level drug and property crime.

The division of Essen is most evident along the north–south axis: in the north, working-class districts; in the south, the villas of entrepreneurs. This is not unique to Essen; geographic segregation is seen in many German cities. However, the clear separation between the poor north and affluent south makes the issue particularly visible, even to visitors. Mixed areas of social classes are shrinking, and both groups increasingly remain isolated from one another.

This naturally breeds dissatisfaction and, often, desperation among the disadvantaged. Many feel compelled to resort to theft and robbery. While these acts are criminal and prosecuted by law, when the police are unable to resolve a case, the detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Essen are available to assist: +49 201 3840 9057.

Affluent South vs. Impoverished North: Social Segregation in Essen

As the headquarters of many internationally successful companies, it is no surprise that Essen hosts a significant number of wealthy residents. They predominantly settle in the green southern districts, far removed from social problems in neighbourhoods like Katernberg or Altendorf. The foundation for this southern settlement, particularly in Ruhr Valley districts such as Essen-Bredeney, was laid in the 19th century by Alfred Krupp, patron of the rise of today’s ThyssenKrupp AG, with the construction of the Villa Hügel, alongside the Essen coal mines one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

In Essen, the Bundesautobahn 40 effectively acts as a social dividing line: those living south of the A40 are often (though not always) privileged, while those north frequently face financial hardships. The southern districts of Werden and Bredeney, for instance, host the estates of the Aldi and Deichmann families.

Problems Are Not Only the Fault of the Privileged

The social division in Essen is a sociological and moral concern. Blaming only the wealthy would be overly simplistic. Few residents actively isolate themselves from the disadvantaged. Most send their children to public schools and do not turn their lives into exclusive, high-society spectacles. Furthermore, it is debatable to what extent middle- and upper-class citizens can be held accountable. People who forgo personal wealth to aid the socially disadvantaged are rare; exceptional figures like Mahatma Gandhi are remembered as international heroes.

Such examples are extraordinary; expecting entire population segments to voluntarily renounce wealth is unrealistic. Here, government intervention is essential to at least provide equal opportunities. Unfortunately, under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s tenure, social inequality and its associated problems have worsened markedly.