Revitalization

Mine Revitalization: How Aging Infrastructure Becomes a Resource for the Future

For decades, coal mines were the economic heart of many Ukrainian communities, including Sheptytskyi’s. However, today, as the energy transition becomes the new reality, closed mines leave behind not only social challenges but also significant territories, infrastructure, and the potential for new opportunities.

What is Mine Revitalization?

It is the process of reimagining and repurposing mining infrastructure for new goals: economic, cultural, or touristic. Outdated industrial sites are transformed into spaces for innovation, business, or cultural events. It’s a way not only to preserve a piece of history but also to integrate it into a new era. Old mines can be transformed into:

• Energy hubs (e.g., underground energy storage systems);
• Industrial parks and logistics centers;
• Tourist attractions and museums;
• Geothermal projects or aquaculture centers;
• Conference halls or event spaces.

The Sheptytskyi Example: How an Old Mine Became a Place for Dialogue

Sheptytskyi already has a prime example of how old mining infrastructure can be reimagined for new purposes. During the organization of the Forum on Just Transition of Coal Communities of Ukraine, initiated by the Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine, part of the space at the Velykomostivska mine site was adapted into a modern conference hall. This allowed a significant event to be held right in the heart of the industrial heritage, demonstrating that even industrial facilities can become platforms for dialogue, strategic planning, and new purposes.

This experience became a symbol of the potential for revitalization: a mine is not just the past; it is a resource for the future, a space that can change its function and become part of the community’s new economic and cultural life.

How Does it Work in Europe?

In EU countries, mine revitalization is an important part of the just transition strategy. For example:

• Germany, Ruhr Area: Mines have been converted into cultural centers, museums, and business parks. One of the most famous is the Zollverein complex in Essen, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Czechia, Darkov Mine: Used for energy projects – gravitational electricity storage.
• Slovenia, Velenje Mine: Plans include using the mine for tourism and green energy.

Such approaches demonstrate how infrastructure that might seem obsolete can become a driver for the new economy.

What is the Future for Sheptytskyi’s Mines?

For communities undergoing transition, it’s crucial not to lose their identity but rather to redefine it. Sheptytskyi’s mines could become:

• Centers for alternative energy (geothermal or gravitational solutions);
• Tourist routes (industrial tourism, museums);
• Industrial parks for new manufacturing;
• Venues for events, conferences, and dialogue (following the Velykomostivska mine example).

Why is This Important?

Mine revitalization offers an opportunity to bridge the past with the future. It means preserving history while giving it a new application. For Sheptytskyi, this is another step towards achieving the status of the industrial heart of the Lviv region – a city that honors its heritage but lives for the future.

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