The continuous advancement of technology has significantly transformed human societies, economies, and the physical environment. Industrialization has contributed to economic growth and urban development across the world. However, these developments have also reshaped landscapes in regions dominated by mining, industry, and energy production. The decline of industrial and mining activities often leaves behind abandoned sites, degraded landscapes, and environmental problems.
The transformation of industrial and mining landscapes is often viewed by governments primarily from an economic perspective rather than through social and environmental considerations. Many former mines, coal-fired power plants, factories, and industrial complexes occupy strategically important areas that can be repurposed to generate social, economic, and environmental benefits. Governments play an essential role in guiding the redevelopment of these post-industrial sites through environmental rehabilitation and adaptive reuse strategies. Such initiatives seek to reduce environmental risks, stimulate local economies, preserve industrial heritage, and improve land-use efficiency while minimizing the need for additional resource extraction.
Local communities also play a significant role in shaping the future of post-industrial landscapes. While many residents associate former industrial sites with environmental degradation and economic decline, others view them as valuable cultural assets. Community participation has therefore become an essential component of redevelopment efforts, helping address local needs and generate social value. Through stakeholder engagement, abandoned industrial areas can be transformed into recreational parks, tourism destinations, educational centers, and heritage sites that enhance community well-being and strengthen regional identity.
These redevelopment initiatives are closely aligned with sustainability goals and the principles of the circular economy. Instead of treating abandoned industrial sites as liabilities, they can serve as a foundation for a circular economy through infrastructure reuse and land regeneration. By converting degraded landscapes into productive assets, governments and communities can reduce environmental impacts while creating new economic opportunities. Such efforts contribute to sustainable urban development and promote responsible consumption and production practices.
The rehabilitation of post-industrial landscapes also supports the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15: Life on Land. SDG 15 emphasizes the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, the reduction of land degradation, and the promotion of biodiversity conservation. Restoring abandoned mines and industrial sites can improve ecosystem functions, enhance biodiversity, and create green spaces that benefit both people and the environment. Consequently, post-industrial landscape transformation has emerged as an important strategy for achieving environmental sustainability and fostering resilient communities.
To better understand the current state of knowledge in this field, this review presents five selected studies that highlight different perspectives and applications of post-industrial landscape transformation. Together, these papers demonstrate the potential of converting neglected industrial and mining areas into urban parks, heritage destinations, ecological reserves, and other multifunctional spaces that contribute to environmental sustainability and community development.
Recycling Energy Landscapes as Britain’s Coal Plants Close: What Are the Directions, Drivers and Justice Implications of Site Re-use?
Richard Cowell and Martin J. Pasqualetti
The study applies an assemblage-thinking approach to examine post-closure processes at phased-out coal-fired power station sites. This approach helps explain the dynamics and justice implications of energy transitions. The researchers utilize media reports, planning documents, and interviews to analyze factors influencing the future of these sites. The findings reveal several constraints affecting redevelopment, particularly the tendency to overlook existing heritage, ecological, and social values. The study suggests that these factors should be carefully assessed, as facility closures can trigger significant rescaling of energy assemblages and create challenges for future site redevelopment.
Decision-Making Processes for Parkification: Developing an Evaluation Framework Through the Transformation of Post-Industrial Sites into Urban Parks
Kawthar M. Alrayyan
Parkification is a development framework introduced in this study to provide a viable process for transforming post-industrial sites into urban parks. The research employs a mixed-methods approach involving document analysis, site visits, and interviews to develop and evaluate the parkification framework. The framework identifies three distinct trajectories that reflect the interactions of both formal and informal actors in redevelopment processes. This research contributes a new framework for analyzing urban regeneration and the transformation of industrial sites into sustainable urban environments.
From Extraction to Engagement: Post-Mining Transition and Science Communication in Lousal, Portugal
Mounir Sabeh Affaki
This paper highlights the importance of heritage preservation, social participation, and environmental accountability in post-mining transitions. To examine these dynamics, the study employs a combination of qualitative methods, including documentary analysis, site visits, and interviews, to assess post-closure activities at mining sites. The findings reveal a narrative asymmetry in which two contrasting perspectives emerge. The exhibits emphasize the technological progress and innovations associated with the mining industry, while socio-environmental consequences and post-extractive futures are communicated primarily through incidental verbal narratives. As a result, the latter perspective receives less attention than the former, limiting efforts to promote environmental stewardship. The study therefore emphasizes the need for curated narratives that incorporate critical public perspectives to support a just and green transition.
Opportunities for Australia’s Regional Development: Lessons from the Integrated Rehabilitation of Co-located Coal Mines and Power Plants in Europe
Yuliang Jiang, Elisa Palazzo, and Simit Raval
The transition to green energy is accelerating the decommissioning of coal mines and coal-fired power plants; however, the sustainable rehabilitation of these sites remains uncertain. Addressing this gap, the study examines European coal mines and power plants using an evaluation framework to analyze rehabilitation practices and future redevelopment plans. The results reveal five cross-case lessons derived from commonly observed deficiencies. The study also proposes five context-specific recommendations aimed at addressing these shortcomings and improving future rehabilitation outcomes.
Opportunities for Social Sustainability Through Local Governance of Mine and Quarry Restoration (Focus on Restoration End-Uses)
Grace N. Tully et al.
This study focuses on the social dimensions of mining and quarrying industry life cycles. The researchers analyze planning documents from local governments and conduct interviews with government officials to identify governmental influences on restoration processes and long-term site outcomes. The findings indicate that governments are well positioned to guide site restoration and determine how local communities can benefit from redevelopment initiatives. However, the paper also highlights shortcomings in existing regulatory frameworks and limitations in the resources available to support restoration efforts effectively.
Conclusion
The transition and environmental remediation of former industrial and mining sites remain complex and insufficiently understood. The five studies reviewed demonstrate several common factors that influence the success of restoration and redevelopment efforts. Government involvement, community participation, and the prospects of the circular economy emerge as recurring themes across the literature. Environmental awareness and sustainability considerations are likewise emphasized throughout the studies. These findings suggest that further research is needed to better understand the scope, complexity, and long-term implications of post-industrial landscape transformation for sustainable development.
References
Cowell, R., & Pasqualetti, M. J. (2026). Recycling energy landscapes as Britain’s coal plants close: What are the directions, drivers and justice implications of site re-use? Energy Research & Social Science, 134, 104635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2026.104635
Alrayyan, K. M. (2025). Decision-making processes for parkification: Developing an evaluation framework through the transformation of post-industrial sites into urban parks. Cities, 169, 106601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106601
Affaki, M. S. (2026). From extraction to engagement: Post-mining transition and science communication in Lousal, Portugal. The Extractive Industries and Society, 27, 101930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2026.101930
Jiang, Y., Palazzo, E., & Raval, S. (2025). Opportunities for Australia’s regional development: Lessons from the integrated rehabilitation of co-located coal mines and power plants in Europe. Landscape and Urban Planning, 268, 105564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2025.105564
Tully, G. N., Holt, O., Yellishetty, M., Farrelly, M. A., Whittle, D., & Bach, P. M. (2025). Opportunities for social sustainability through local governance of mine and quarry restoration. The Extractive Industries and Society, 25, 101797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2025.101797