Methods and Approaches for the Reuse of Former Coal Mines in the Region of the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin
Abstract: The landscape of the North Bohemian brown coal basin has undergone a significant transformation throughout its mining history. In terms of area, volume and structure, it is a considerable part of today's Ústí Region, or rather the entire Czech Republic. On the surface, this unit is characterized by a specific landscape composition, settlements and industrial or post-industrial fragments. Earlier deep operations were transformed into large-scale/surface mining units as mining progressed. After the so-called removal of the deposit, or in the present era of the decline of coal mining, they become an area that is looking for a new use. The processes of gradually bringing life back to these locations are often very different. In some places, the landscape-agricultural process prevails, in other places minor architectural interventions occur in the so-called "phase 0". The diversity of approaches in the territory no longer connects the landscape. The entire territory of North Bohemian brow coal region lacks a sophisticated territorial analysis that would unify the approaches and lead to the specified goal - a post-mining landscape with an offer of new functions, areas, connections and uses. Suitable examples from practice are known, but they (stakeholders) have not yet reflected on them. The presentation will briefly describe the history of efforts to make areas after mining in the North Bohemian lignite basin accessible to the public and will present recent projects that this specific territorial unit is dealing with. The North Bohemian brown coal region contains a number of important technological units that have their historical value. As part of the contribution, those that already serve a different purpose (they are adapted or transformed into centers of tourist interest and activity) will be mapped. There will be a comparison with foreign experiences and examples. The aim of the article is to thoroughly map the residual state of former industrial units (industrial landscapes, mine operations, areas related to mining, mining equipment and similar technical structures) in a selected location, and based on a narrow example, describe their value and indicate the possibilities of their adaptability. The contribution will systematically specify post-industrial relics, always in a precisely defined time period (according to the sequence of their creation), quality and state of preservation (according to the values of the place and the structure/content of the industrial heritage). Furthermore, it clearly defines the essence of possible protection (not only historic) or, conversely, possible liquidation (not only complete destruction). The main methods of work in this topic are scientific-research activity, personified data collection and their evaluation (analysis), confrontation with similar examples and subsequent presentation of possible approaches while preserving the layer of cultural heritage - the industrial landscape, as part of the industrial heritage.
