Erkelenz, the largest town in the County of Heinsberg and a former independent town, is today a flourishing centre in the eastern part of the County.
Yet it’s obvious that the town has experienced a remarkable upswing, not only in economic terms. Equally far-reaching is the importance of Erkelenz in the areas of culture, education and social services - even beyond the boundaries of the region.
What determines the character of this town is its Mediaeval ground plan with historic architecture, preserved to this day, just as much as the modern residential and commercial estates that have been built to much acclaim in interested circles. Take for instance Commerden trade and industrial estate, established at the southern edge of town, which won an award in the Urban Ecology state competition. The logical consequence was to expand GIPCO in 2004 by approx. 11 hectares in order to cater for settlement requests.
Furthermore, apart from a railway station on the main Aachen-Düsseldorf route, the town has two junctions to the A46 motorway and a connection to the A61 in Jackerath.
