Post-Mining Landscapes: Sustainable Recreation and Tourism
The primary aim of the sustainable recreation approach is to shape recreation-seekers’ expectations to fit existing natural and cultural landscapes. Among other things, this means securing long-term benefits for the locals and economic growth for the region as a whole. The starting conditions for recreational planning in post-mining landscapes are fundamentally different to those in other types of landscape. While vegetated landscape usually involves successive use of suitably attractive areas, the use of post-mining landscapes is to be seen as a fresh start in which the landscape appears to contradict the image of an area that can provide recreation opportunities.
Given the huge areas ‘created’ and reshaped in the reclaiming of post-mining landscapes in the Lausitz and central regions of Germany, future-focused planning and a clear overall concept are needed. Cooperation between the respective actors and various planning levels is vital.
The aim of the R&D project "Nachhaltige Erholung und Tourismus in Bergbaufolgelandschaften" (Nature Conservation and Rehabilitation of Opencast Lignite Mines) 1) was to develop a set of criteria and standards to meet nature conservation, landscape planning and socio-economic needs.
The results of the project have been published in a guide which sets out the underlying principles of mining landscape rehabilitation. Apart from describing and classifying mining and post-mining landscapes, it assesses the suitability of such areas for recreation and tourism activities. The guide also evaluates the suitability of such sites for use in nature conservation and looks at the benefits gained and potential conflicts arising from such use. After formulating a vision and a set of goals for sustainable recreation and tourism, case studies are used to conduct an in-depth analysis.
Key research findings were also published in a separate handout designed to assist municipal planners. The handout contains suggestions and ideas, explains the various planning steps and gives a detailed account of different forms of recreational activity. Checklists are provided to help planners assess whether an area is suited to a specific tourism-related use. The characteristic habitats found in post-mining landscapes are described, assessed from a nature conservation standpoint and analysed for their vulnerability to the impacts of different uses.
1) GERSTNER, S., JANSEN, ST. & LÜBBERT, C. (2001): Nachhaltige Erholungsnutzung und Tourismus in Bergbaufolgelandschaften. Handreichung für Kommunen. ISBN 3-7843-3823-2
