Cultural ecosystem services of post-mining sites: socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying

The number of active quarries is increasing annually in densely populated Europe.

However, their rehabilitation into post-mining landscapes proceeds with little regard for socio-economic and socio-ecological provision for the European residents.

There is still practically no research tracking visitor numbers in post-mining sites and exploring the way how they use of the site and perceive it.

The project addresses these issues with the aim to conceptualize and analyse the complexity of socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying.

The project analyses the preferences of social network users for post-mining sites and the real use of the sites by the residents and by external visitors in three European countries. This is framed by the real socio-economic conditions revealed directly in the mining regions.

The project combines quantitative and qualitative methods, using novel techniques such as social networks analyses, public participation GIS, and spatially explicit indicators of cultural ecosystem services. This multidisciplinary framework is applied in a comparisons of different sites and countries.

Understanding the complexity of socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying will make a significant contribution to the theory and practice of quarry closure in order to establish positive post-closure legacies in European mining regions.

Moreover, involving an industry partner and the development of practical measures through which the industry can drive positive outcomes of socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying can benefit quarry industry in sustainable planning of quarry restoration and post-mining management.

With regard to the innovative character of the action and the global importance of the addressed problem, the project can significantly contribute to Europe's competitiveness and attractiveness in R&I.

The project is designed as a response to the goals of the EU Raw Materials Initiative and the European Landscape Convention.