Marek W. Lorenc

The Landscape Attractiveness of Abandoned Quarries

This study is a trial for presenting high attractiveness of shape form in abandoned quarry areas, as well as for indicating social interest in the areas in terms of their attractiveness. For this reason, a procedure of evaluation of the landscape attractiveness of abandoned quarries is suggested, which was created by assigning additional partial criteria, and their comparison with the criteria of already existing methods. Methods used for the research are as follows: the semantic differential technique (also called Osgood’s method), the entropy method, and the method of point bonitation. In order to verify the procedure suggested, 10 objects (quarries) located in the area of the Ślęża Landscape Park with its buffer zone were studied. Then, comparative studies were conducted, this time with quarries from Great Britain and Austria, also subject to some forms of environmental protection. The results of the research suggest that the main indicator of a quarries’ attractiveness is their uniqueness, aesthetic appeal, interest, and the curiosity they raise, which allows the formation of four classification groups for attractiveness: very attractive, attractive, slightly attractive, and unattractive quarries. The research conducted also indicates that highly attractive quarries may gain a larger number of tourists and the development of hiking, cycling, horse riding, and, in some cases, also qualified tourism (rock climbing or diving) through creating additional side attractions. Additionally, due to their uniqueness and form differentiation, abandoned quarries may be used for common social education, being a didactic place in programmes of touristic trips, science lessons, and ecological education.

The analysis of the existing terminology related to a post-mining land use: a proposal for new classification

The article attempts to classify and standardize the terminology used in the literature related to a post-mining land use. The following terms were discussed: restoration, reclamation, rehabilitation, land development and revitalization as well as their explicitness enabling one to understand the essence of a certain process properly. On the basis of the existing methods of post-mining areas development found in the literature on the subject, certain inaccuracies related to the terminology of ways of reclamation and methods of development were shown. This situation enables one to offer a new, developed and flexible classification of ways of reclamation including all the possible forms of post-mining land use. This classification considers methods of reclamation and restoration of utility value to post-mining areas on the basis of 6 general (ngen) and 23 specific ways (nspec), which terminology is unambiguous and leaves no space for doubts as to the interpretation. The essence of the offered classification is a possibility of joining general and specific ways into semantic combinations excluding possible inaccuracies in understanding. A possible form of notation of general and specific ways is as follows: , and, possibly, . This kind of approach enables one to consider each place individually, step out of the box and increase a number of semantic combinations from number ngen to number ngen*nspec. The offered classification may also be successfully used in determining ways of rehabilitation, revitalization or land development.

Research on the landscape attractiveness of the selected abandoned quarries

Abstract This publication presents the research results concerning determination of the level of landscape attractiveness of the abandoned quarries. The research focused upon 20 structures located within the area of Poland, Great Britain and Austria. The research used procedures of landscape attractiveness assessment which features three research methods: survey method with the use of the semantic differential, the method of point bonitation and the landscape entropy method. Throughout the analysis conducted, the level of landscape attractiveness of the quarries was determined according to four classification groups: very attractive quarry landscape (I), attractive quarry landscape (II), little attractive quarry landscape (III) and unattractive quarry landscape (IV).

Procedure for evaluation of the attractiveness of the quarries’ landscape

Abstract Post-mining workings, especially after the exploitation of the rocks, become attractive mainly because of their landscape forms. These new forms of landscape can be an important element of tourist interest, and can cause the regional tourist revival. Quarries, as a quite specific forms, may, however, be received by individuals, as more or less attractive. The existing methods of landscape attractiveness evaluation cannot be directly applied to assess the attractiveness of abandoned quarries without the introduction of some partial criteria. The article attempts to present the methodological basis of the procedure for evaluating the attractiveness of the landscape of the quarries by setting new criteria for such an assessment. To do this, the method of semantic differential, called the Osgood’s Method, was used, as well as principles of entropy and point bonitation. The evaluation of the attractiveness of the quarries’ landscape consists of the results of these methods. On such basis, four classes of the attractiveness of the landscape of abandoned quarries have been defined.

Unused potential of abandoned quarries on the example of Wieżyca and Chwałków (Lower Silesia)

The proper development of abandoned mine workings is the aesthetic, environmental and economic problem. Abandoned quarries are subjected to natural remediation by reconstruction of groundwater table and expansion of plants. Troubles arise when abandoned quarries become illegal landfills and when steep, commonly vertical, unprotected walls, and/or deep reservoirs may become lethal traps. However, the same, hazardous elements: walls and reservoirs can be attractions for both the local residents and the tourists. Values of abandoned quarries were appreciat- ed and developed in the past with positive effects. The authors present examples of two quarries from the vicinity of Śleza in Lower Silesia, which should encourage us to consider such sites as elements of local economy and to perceive their undeveloped potential.