Towards a more just post-coal future: Engaging local communities in post-mining landscape restoration through...

Area of Science:

• Environmental planning
• Social sciences
• Spatial analysis

Background:

• Energy transition policies should include justice principles, yet public participation in post-mining land use is under-researched.
• A gap exists in integrating community perspectives into post-mining landscape assessment and planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an effective method for engaging local stakeholders in post-mining land-use planning.
• To highlight the importance of community input for just post-coal development.

Main Methods:

• Case study of a closing open-cast mine in the Most district, Czech Republic.
• Utilized participatory mapping combined with statistical and spatial analysis.
• Collected responses from 101 local residents.

Main Results:

• The combined participatory mapping and spatial analysis approach effectively engaged local stakeholders.
• Community perspectives and interests were successfully integrated into landscape assessment.
• The study identified key elements for understanding community sense of place and landscape values.

Conclusions:

• The presented methods enable planners to better understand community needs for post-mining regeneration.
• Integrating community perspectives fosters place-making, prevents land-use conflicts, and promotes just post-coal development.