"Smart Specialisation" is a new concept of the European Union that enables regions to achieve growth by identifying and focusing on their location-specific strengths and competitive advantages in technology and research. The aim of this work is to explore the extent to which the concept of "Smart Specialisation" can be applied to the Ruhr area. It will investigate whether and what opportunities for development may arise for this region. The introduction will clarify and differentiate the terminology of regional and innovation policy. Additionally, instances of market failure will be addressed. The second chapter focuses exclusively on the terminology of the EU's innovation policy, both retrospectively and currently. The third chapter presents the concept of "Smart Specialisation.".