The city of Oberhausen in the huge industrial agglomeration of the Ruhr has seen a delay in urbanization essentially because of its rapid industrial growth. Despite the lack of a strong urban tradition, Oberhausen was nevertheless able to develop a good urban standard thanks to municipal intervention and the contribution of the major industry in the area. Oberhausen also avoided falling under the control of the cities of the Hellweg (Essen, Muehlheim, Duisburg) and was successful in competing for the expansion of city limits with the cities of Sterkrade and Osterfeld. Because of its rapid, yet chaotic growth, Oberhausen took a multifocal form without a city located at the real center of the agglomeration. Nowadays, it seems possible that Oberhausen will finally get its city center through the redevelopment of old abandoned sites.