The Sense of Place of Local Mining Heritage in Wallonia

Mining activities have shaped the landscape and local communities in Belgium and several countries worldwide. This research investigates the uses and ascribed heritage status of former coal mining sites and slag heaps that are not listed as major mining sites. Many former mining sites lack official recognition and are challenging for planning and regional development. However, in many places, populations, NGOs, and authorities want to maintain the traces of local history, which mostly requires finding new usages. Based on an oral survey of residents living near two former Belgian mining sites and semi-structured interviews with actors active in transforming these sites (regarding their functions and physical components), this paper analyzes the relations between the population and these places and explores the interests of local actors. Through descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses, we underline that former mining sites and their slag heaps provide several services for society (including recreational, environmental, and cultural services), which make them significant for inhabitants. Furthermore, while local authorities showed low interest in mining heritage, they recognize the assets of former mining sites to support urban and economic development and the preservation of green infrastructure and cultural heritage. Today, various local actors influence the preservation and management of local mining heritage by selecting elements of the place’s history, developing new uses, and rewriting narratives that include past and present activities.