Modern hardware and software innovations in the feld of virtual reality (VR), such as VR headsets and accessible game engines, allow cartographers to create 3D environments which can be experienced from the ego perspective in real time and with a simulated illusion of physical presence (immersion) in the virtual representation. The new immersive experience of these virtual environments requires new ideas on how to present and orchestrate geographical information for the beneft of planning applications. This paper intends to present examples how VR-based 3D environments use can be enriched (based on the game engine Unreal Engine 4) to support the district development of a restructured post-industrial area. A VR model of a representative former industrial area in the German Ruhr district which was revitalized and part of a large urban transformation programme (IBA Emscher Park), serves an example. Today, the area of “Zeche Holland” in Bochum-Wattenscheid is characterized by a mix of residential and commercial uses. The area is used as a leisure route for locals and tourists, with an old winding tower as an important urban landmark in its centre. VR techniques allow to transport additional spatial information which cannot be experienced when visiting the real physical area. This paper addresses the potential of immersive VR environments representing a multifaceted and redeveloped area for planning and related usage scenarios. It shows how peculiarities of game engine-based VR can help to extend the immersive (3D) experience of geographic information. ; Moderne Hardware- und Software-Innovationen im Bereich der Virtuellen Realität (VR), wie bspw. VR-Headsets und verfügbare Spiele-Engines, ermöglichen Kartographinnen und Kartographen 3D-Umgebungen zu erstellen, die aus der Ego-Perspektive in Echtzeit mit einer simulierten Illusion einer physischen Präsenz (Immersion) in der virtuellen Repräsentation erfahren werden können. Die neue immersive Erfahrung dieser virtuellen Umgebungen erfordert neue Ideen, wie ...