Düsseldorf's beloved gas lamps face extinction despite heritage status and public outcry
Düsseldorf's iconic gas lamps, a fixture in the city for 177 years, are being removed despite their cultural and historical value. Local politicians approved a €120 million plan in 2023 to replace them with LED lighting, claiming the old lamps would simply be updated. However, critics argue the decision was pushed through under false pretences—and without proper consultation. The gas lamps have deep roots in Düsseldorf's identity. Installed in 1846, they earned the city the nickname Tube City due to its industrial past. Many are now under heritage protection, a status granted in 2000 to preserve their historical significance. Locals cherish them as landmarks—places where children climb, couples kiss, and generations share memories under their warm glow.
The replacement scheme began in the Eller district, where 23 historical lanterns have already been dismantled. Most are being swapped for modern electric streetlights, primarily on side streets. Yet the decision bypassed key authorities: neither the heritage office nor the environmental agency was consulted before approval. Supporters of the gas lamps point out their potential for sustainability. Unlike LEDs, they can run on climate-neutral biogas produced locally. But the city's plan moves forward, with no clear details on how many of the original 10,000-plus lamps will survive—or where they once stood. The cost alone has sparked outrage. Taxpayers will foot a €120 million bill for the overhaul, even as residents question whether the change was necessary at all.
The removal of Düsseldorf's gas lamps marks the end of an era for a city once defined by their glow. With no public input and disputed claims about retrofitting, the decision leaves behind fewer heritage-protected lanterns and a hefty price tag. What remains unclear is whether the new lights will ever hold the same meaning for those who grew up beneath the old ones.
