Lifechangingplaces - A Travel Podcast

Jeffrey Parks, an attorney turned social entrepreneur, was shocked to see the devastating effects of de-industrialisation on his community after the closure of the famous Bethlehem Steel works in Pennsylvania, USA. While looking for a solution to revive the community he was offered a tour of Germany’s Ruhr Valley, an area that had suffered similar problems after the closure of its coal mines and steel plants. He found that many of the abandoned industrial sites such as Zeche Zollverein had since been turned into thriving cultural centers and, in some cases, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Germans were celebrating the old industrial heritage while using the spaces for museums, concerts and other events – a discovery that changed his life forever. Jeff returned home and suddenly saw the old Bethlehem Steel works in a new light. The idea for SteelStacks, a vibrant cultural center, as well as several other arts projects, was born. Host Shelby Stanger talks to Jeffrey Parks about the importance of arts and cultur