C.O.A.L. International Scientific Conference
LANDSCAPE BUILT ON COAL
An Intellectual and Artistic Perspective of Landscape Diversity in Post-industrial Regions
15th May, 2008
Katowice, Poland
The regions of Nord-Pas de Calais, Ruhr and Upper Silesia form the largest industrialised areas in Europe. Rapid development of industry and aggressive urbanisation of these areas have not always been in line with the care for the natural environment. Changes found in the landscape form a common plain for the perception of these areas, which themselves have literally been 'built on coal'. Characteristic features here include landscape diversity and a fusion of nature and industrial architecture - this created by people with a powerful work ethos. The C.O.A.L. project is an attempt at the expression of scientific theory through the multifaceted language of art, thus portraying the complexity of environmental, economic and social problems accompanying the present restructuring of post-industrial areas in accordance with the principles of sustainable development - all this in the form of an artistic representation comprehendible by the public.
The conference presented an experiment which was a merger of a scientific analysis and assessment of environmental degradation of industrial areas combined with an artistic take on the issues at hand. The scientific analysis and environmental assessment were accompanied by their artistic interpretation.
Conference Programme
Plenary Session
Opening of the Conference - Jan Skowronek, Director of the Institute of Ecology of Industrial Areas, Katowice and welcome speeches by organizers, local authorities and Sophie Beckary – COAL Project Coordinator
Is a sustainable landscape a rationalistic issue? a dream? - Francis Meilliez, University of Sciences and Technology, Lille, France
The Sound of “Minister Stein”. Civic Participation in Dortmund-Eving’s Urban Changing - Uta C. Schmidt, Stiftung Industriedenkmalpflege und Geschichtskultur, Germany
Transformation of the postindustrial areas as an action to increase region’s attractiveness - Anna Starzewska-Sikorska, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, Katowice
Land surface pollution of Upper Silesia – unwanted heritage of industrialization - Marek Korcz, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, Katowice
The Nord-Pas de Calais coal basin candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage listing: an evolutive cultural landscape? - Catherine Bertram, Mission Bassin Minier-Nord-Pas de Calais, France
The Foundation for the Preservation of Industrial Monuments and Historical Culture in Ruhr – a nationwide pioneering project - Claus Stiens, Stiftung Industriedenkmalpflege und Geschichtskultur, Germany
Panel Session
Introduction into the post- industrial issues - Krzysztof Gasidlo, Architecture Department Silesian Technical University
Magic of the Power - creation of the new industrial heritage identity –case study Power Plant in Szombierki Bytom - Krzysztof Roman, Power Plant in Bytom
Industrial monuments - elements of post- industrial landscape - Jacek Owczarek, Silesian Centre for Culture, Katowice
In witch moment an identity of the urban space is born? - Elzbieta Bleszynska-Koclega, Architecture Department, Silesian Technical University
The heterogenic modernity of the Silesian landscape ‘built on coal’ - Ryszard Nakonieczny, Architecture Department, Silesian Technical University
“Nature” value of heaps - Adam Rostanski, Biology Department, Silesian University
Second shift – immaterial aspects of revitalisation - Monika Paca, Wilson Shaft Gallery
‘Post-industrial landscapes transformation (based on student’s workshop - New functions for land and premises of “Walenty” coal mine in Ruda Slaska - Aleksandra Postawa, Aneta Wiatr, Architecture Department, Silesian Technical University
Conclusions and Closing – Krzysztof Gasidlo - Architecture Department, Silesian Technical University, Justyna Gorgon - Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas
Additional information:
Project manager: Dr. arch. Justyna Gorgon, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice; e-mail: j.gorgon[at]ietu.katowice.pl/ phone: +48 32 254 6031 ext. 287
Conference secretariat: Patrycja Przewoznik, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice; e-mail: patrycjap[at]ietu.katowice.pl/ phone: +48 32 254 6031 ext. 281
Conference secretariat: Wanda Jarosz, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice; e-mail: jarosz[at]ietu.katowice.pl/ phone: +48 32 254 6031 ext. 136