Abandoned German Nuclear Plant Transformed Into Wunderland Kalkar Amusement Park!

Last month Germany announced plans to completely phase out the use of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/germany-to-completely-phase-out-nuclear-power-by-2022/">nuclear power by 2022</a> in favor of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/energy">renewable energy sources</a> - however what is to become of the nation's nuclear plants after they have been shut down? Enter West Germany's <a href="http://www.wunderlandkalkar.eu/nl">Wunderland Kalkar</a> - an incredible adaptive reuse project that transformed a never-used nuclear reactor into an amusement park! The remarkable renovation took a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/madrids-caixaforum-renovated-from-an-old-power-station-adds-a-lush-living-wall/">power station</a> in Kalkar and turned it into a park that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Wunderland Kalkar now hosts a range of activities and play areas for the whole family.

The amusement park high-flying swings, merry-go-rounds, a carousel, and other fun activities.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/winning-design-re-purposes-old-school-into-an-inspiring-urban-food-center/">repurposed site</a> has worked wonders for the area's tourism industry, attracting an average of 600,000 visitors a year.

Construction of the plant began in 1972, but the project suffered continual delays due to protests of those concerned about the safety of nuclear power.

The plant was eventually completed over ten years later, and then the estimated $4 billion project was dismantled after less than a decade in operation.

Adapted into Wunderland Kalkar in 1995, the site continues to function in its new role, attracting visitors from around the world.