Re-configuring the productive territory of Megalopolis, Greece | design explorations for the post-mining era 2016 K.U. Leuven, Master of Urbanism and Strategic Planning [MaUSP] European Master of Urbanism [EMU]
authors:
Georgakaki Gavriela Kasselouri Eleni promotor: Bruno De Meulder
CYCLIC URBANISM PROMOTER Bruno De Meulder
TUTORS Racha Daher Cecilia Furlan
MORE INFO MAHS / MAUSP / EMU Master Programs Department ASRO, K.U.Leuven Kasteelpark Arenberg 1, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium Tel: + 32(0)16 321 391 Email: paulien.martens@kuleuven.be
© Copyright by K.U.Leuven Without written permission of the promotors and the authors it is forbidden to reproduce or adapt in any form or by any means any part of this publication. Requests for obtaining the right to reproduce or utilize parts of this publication should be addressed to K.U.Leuven, Faculty of Engineering – Kasteelpark Arenberg 1, B-3001 Heverlee (België). Telefoon +32-16-32 13 50 & Fax. +32-16-32 19 88. A written permission of the promotor is also required to use the methods, products, schematics and programs described in this work for industrial or commercial use, and for submitting this publication in scientific contests. All images in this booklet are, unless credits are given, made or drawn by the authors, Georgakaki Gavriela and Kasselouri Eleni.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to Professor Bruno De Meulder for the inspiring consultations and his guidance during the supervision of this thesis as well as for the motivating lectures and discussions during this master. We would like to thank Racha Daher for the thoughtful insights she gave us throughout the semester and Cecilia Furlan for the fresh input and the extra tips. We would like to thank Margarita Macera for her advices and the helpful discussions on our topic. Special thanks to our families; to our parents, Nancy and Makis, Anastasia and Christos for their complete trust and support in every step we do, as well as our brothers,Yiannis, George and Dimitris for always being there encouraging us. We would also like to thank Nikos Anastassopoulos for his precious help during fieldwork and his family as well, especially Maria for her professional advice and fraternal presence. Thanks are also due to our friends and especially Melina, Katerina, Anna, Maria, Sofia and Vicky for the, visible or the invisible, essential support of this thesis. We would like to thank Ilias for his persistence and his help under difficult circumstances. We would like to thank all our fellow travelers of this master and specifically Maria, Wenbo, Michael, Danny, Amaranta, Nhu and Claire for sharing all challenging and joyful moments. This project would have been impossible without the support of the people working for the Public Power Corporation in different positions. We would like to thank them all for their willingness to help and for their immediate cooperation and response in our demands and especially from the central Mines Environmental Department, A. Sokratidou, N. Polyzos and K. Rigopoulos for their collaboration and direct response to the files we required. Moreover, we thank the employees of the Lignite Centre of Megalopolis, especially Ch. Kavourinos and V. Pantazis for giving us access to necessary material, as well as the local Environmental Department, especially V. Georganos, Siouti and the employees that became our local guides into the mines during fieldwork. We also thank the employees in the Units and especially AHSM A for their help. We would like to thank the Municipality of Megalopolis, the mayor D. Papadopoulos for the interview and E. Barla for the data. We would also like to thank the former mayor, Dr. P. Bouras for the interview he gave us. We thank Vaggelis Kuriazis for his assistance, willingness and equipment for the drone footage of the video. I, Kasselouri Eleni, would also like to acknowledge the contribution of John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, without the financial support of which this two-year journey wouldn’t have been possible. 3
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Table of Contents 9-18
Preface Introduction Towards a post-mining era: a challenge or a threat? Framework: Systemic thinking and cyclic urbanism
19-64
Tracing the basin of Megalopolis Framing the basin a. Geological processes b. Urbanization in the basin of Megalopolis c. Dynamics of a productive territory A multi-layered landscape
65-108
The machine-made landscape Mining activity in systems a. Energy b. Water Earthworks – landscape alternations a. Land expropriation b. Material movement
109-163
Reconfiguring the productive territory Operative territory in sections Capturing a moving landscape Exploring sections a. The olive grove b. The valley c. The energy crops
164-165
Conclusions
166-170
Bibliography
5
High
Labour/activity level
site design and construction 1-5 years
operation 2-100 years exploration 1-10 years or more
Low
final closure and decommissioning 1-5 years post-closure A decade to perpetuity
6 Time
Abstract Exploring how the transition of an active mining landscape into the post-mining era can be anticipated in present, this thesis is attempting the potential dynamics of a productive territory in the particular point of view taken. Domestic energy resources and potential acquire a strategic importance in Greece today while, at the same time, there is a rising awareness for using renewable resources on a global scale, in the premise of overexploitation of the world’s limited resources.1 Looking through the lens of the energy potential of the post-mining landscapes, what are the next landscape and the future of the urbanization in the basin of Megalopolis?
This thesis proposes a series of design strategies to re-configure the productive territory, in a constantly transforming landscape, where new opportunities are emerging for the local populations. Rethinking the productivity of the post-mining landscape introduces an alternative agriculture for the locals, hand in hand with the recovery of the soil and the ecology, and simultaneously creating potential for an energy production scenario based on renewable resources. Under these conditions, biomass is an opportunity for energy production in the local scale and sets new possibilities for the new emerging economies.
Starting from the reading of the current productive landscape and its metamorphoses, this thesis investigates Megalopolis territorial transformation under the overlap of different dynamics through time. Energy, soil and water flows are the essential elements of the current landscape formed by small and large scale processes. These are identified as separate but interconnected systems, where the waste of each system is a potential link to another. “The visibility of flows, processes and systems underlies much of the work to be done, especially when displaying vast movements […] of natural resources that are often operating in remote or underground environments at scales too large for the naked eye”. (Bélanger, 2012, p. 291)
Therefore, the thesis is structured in three main sections. By looking at a framework of 25 by 25 km, the first chapter traces the basin of Megalopolis, giving an overview on the geological features and the urbanization of the basin, as well as the dynamics of the productive territory. Further, the outline of a multilayered landscape is projecting the opportunities for multi-functionality of the site in the closer frame of 10 by 15 km. The second chapter aims to unfold the complex structure of the manipulated topography and the entire machinemade landscape. In order to achieve this goal the thesis used a systemic reading of the landscape alternations and material movement. The previous interpretative analysis leads to the third chapter; the proposed vision for the area until and after the closure, phased in finer grain, which is projecting the spatial reconfigurations in different scales, phasing and seasonality and their impact in the city.
In the case of Megalopolis the radical alternations of the topography, the material movements and the natural water flows come together with the slow rhythm of the provincial city and the countryside. After years of lignite exploitation, the artificial topography, resulting from the mining activity, generates new territorial figures. The “artificiality of landscape created by mining can be seen as an opportunity to create something new during the treatment process”, a potential for new economies for the post-mining city. (Bergbau Folge Landschaft, 2010)
1 Mohsen Mostafavi writes in Ecological Urbanism, Why Ecological Urbanism? Why Now? “Increased numbers of people and cities go hand in hand with a greater exploitation of the world’s limited resources.” Mine project life cycle Diagram source: Sloss, L. (2013). Coal mine site reclamation. IEA Clean Coal Centre, p.5.
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Preface Introduction Towards a post-mining era | a challenge and a threat Framework | systemic thinking and cyclic urbanism
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Introduction Megalopolis is a provincial city of approximately 11.000 inhabitants, in the center of Peloponnese, Greece. The area is known as the second Lignite Center of the country and it contributes to the national electricity production with two combustion units currently active. The vast area of 5,000 ha of lignite extraction and combustion facilities are adjacent to the city. The local economy is heavily depending on the mining activity and electricity production. Since the 1970’s, when the extraction started, the Public Power Corporation2 (PPC) has been a major employer in the area. The internal migration of workers and specialized employees from all over Greece changed the composition of the local population and doubled its size (NTUA, 1992). Simultaneously with the social sphere, the landscape started changing radically as the new production domain started to develop. The mandatory public and private land expropriations either of agricultural land or forest dramatically transformed the rural landscape, generating a complex system of smaller and bigger open pit lignite mines and artificial hills, forming a manipulated topography. The existing self-sufficient settlements were inscribed in the territory, considering a system recovery process. However, the overexploitation of an extraction area in the center of Megalopolis’ basin is disregarding the recovery of the landscape. The current dominant activity of lignite mining and electricity production is a catalyst of territorial transformations, which at the same time, constitute a disturbance, a rupture in the landscape.
2 The extraction and combustion processes are organized by one corporation that started as public, but is currently being privatized following many other assets in Greece. The short PPC refers from now on to the Public Power Corporation.
Image on the left: Megalopolis, the city and the mines.The aerial view of the area is illustrating the opposing scales. A series of sections through this terriotory reveals the topographical differences. Orthophoto 2011, source: PPC, Lignite Center of Megalopolis 11
Postcard from the future: Megalopolis 2050 _ An imaginary post-mining landscape Megalopolis’ territory in the post-mining era as a lunar landscape; an image composed by enormous holes on the ground, as craters, along with the left overs of the machinery and the power plant facilities. The impact on the natural landscape is immense and life cannot be sustained as all resources are exhausted. The city itself is a ghost town with few elderly people that refused to abandon their homes.
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Towards a post-mining era | a challenge and a threat As other former industrial territories in Europe, Megalopolis, without alternative productive economies is going towards a post-mining era, facing the threat to become a ghost town. Therefore, the emerging scenario of a shrinking economy, through which inhabitants will be forced to migrate inside or outside the borders of the country in order to survive, is evident. After a period of prosperity, decline is coming slowly into the foreground of future Megalopolis. Lignite is indeed a non-renewable energy resource.The reserves are coming to an end. PPC estimates that the lignite reserves in the area will last for about 20-25 years more. The closure of the mines in Megalopolis is projected around 2040. What does the closure mean for the city and the territory? Wouldn’t it be important to start anticipating this transition? Mining in the area of Megalopolis is still today seen a driving force of the urbanization process of the past and the main one of the future as well. Causing both radical landscape and urban transformations, it influenced the cityscape by the immediate doubling of the population and by the spatial expansion of the city in the ‘70’s. The expected rapid decline of this main economy, which supports the local population, around 2040, will influence the city by a direct population decrease. Are there any other supporting economies existing or potential new ones that can sustain this population in the area and how do they form the next step after the industrial city? The post-mining, postindustrial landscapes of coal extraction areas are often considered as if they were in a static condition. Landscape is then a by-product, indirect result of the former activity (Berger, 2006). Exhausted extraction holes as remaining open craters are reminders of a lunar landscape with injured, open wounded ecologies, a ruptured landscape; as indicated for Lusatia, in Germany: “The countryside resembled the surface of the moon” (Bergbau Folge Landschaft, 2010, p.37). This motionless image is directly contradicting to the process of the formation of these landscapes. Would it be possible to think in terms of transitional land use instead? “What futures can be imagined for closing quarries that incorporate design sensitivity beyond erasure and filling, and that embrace their unique endemic character?” (Viganò, 2014, p. 57)
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Postcard from the future: Megalopolis 2050 _ An imaginary post-mining landscape Megalopolis’ productive territory is a composition of different elements and ecologies that form a complex organism in homeostasis. Local energy production from biomass, new agricultural land, bee-keeping and livestock co-exist in a balanced relationship. Recomposed wetlands are hosting migratory species, being at the same time a rich biotope and a biodiversity hub. Archaeological sites are part of this choreography.
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The mining landscape is anyhow always dual. “… These landscapes simultaneously carry, on the one hand, the welfare of communities, professional pride, and bright hope for the future | injured bodies, contaminated natural environments, and evaporating social structures.” (Storm, 2015) The perspective in this landscape changes fundamentally when thinking in terms of transitional land uses and programs, when dump is only a phase, a step in a chain of movements, uses, appropriations and developments. The ongoing transformations of an alternating landscape are simultaneously forming the potential ground for a post-mining productivity. Under the vision of a productive territorial park, a balanced coexistence of the different existing and emerging landscapes is challenging the design. The necessary healing of the mining landscape, its environmental recovery goes in parallel with the energy efficiency in a local level and the establishment of new economies related to the productive landscape. “The site acts as a mnemonic device for the making of the new” (Mostafavi, 2010) that creates the conditions for the next development cycle of the city. Already starting from the operational phase of the mines, reclaiming the landscape means at the same time the purification of polluted water and the remediation of contaminated soil, reconsidering the appropriation of the landscape while introducing new economies that will replace the preceding. “Designation of territories, zones of intervention, and modes of organization become soft design processes that eventually lead to the formation of new spatial morphologies and performative ecologies.” (Bélanger, 2012) The socioeconomic crisis and austerity in Greece, is introducing rivers of migration. Tendencies of returning
back to the land immerge. In search of more affordable solutions, young people evaluate life outside the borders of the capital. Taking distance from the uncontrolled speed and the alienation of a big city, the character and the qualities of a provincial city present an alternative scenario. The social inclusiveness and reciprocal relations in combination to the slow rhythms of a resilient and self-sustained living, contribute to a different quality of life. The proximity to nature and short distance between living and working places makes everything accessible in walking distances. Coming back to the land means most of the times a change to an occupation that at least is partially related to the earth and its productivity. Therefore, the future of the provincial city as an incubator, a place of opportunity for new initiatives and new populations acquires different dimensions and the transition to the post-mining era can be “…an opportunity to pay attention to the economic and social aspects of a landscape as well. […] The idea of healing the wounds inflicted on the mining regions quickly and rendering them unrecognizable has given way to the conviction that the best possible use should be made of the opportunity to design a post-mining landscape with great potential for the future development.” (Bergbau Folge Landschaft, 2010, p.40-41) As the productivity of the territory has been defining the development of the area over time, the reconfiguration of the productive landscapes of Megalopolis provides a canvas which forms the synergies and relations to the next phase of development. It is exploring the potential of a landscape in motion as a carrier of the next economies in a coherent composition. The proposed synergies and the biophysical dynamics (Bélanger, 2012) create a multilayered territory in a transitional regime to productivity after mining, cyclic in time and in space.
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Framework | systemic thinking and cyclic urbanism This thesis is based on systemic thinking and cyclic urbanism. Throughout simultaneous fieldwork observations, mapping operations and site specific and national data analysis, we examine the different systems of energy, water and soil and their spatial expression. These systems are explained trough generic diagrams and located sections. In each system, the produced waste from the different processes creates a potential linkage to another one, or even a potential to generate another system. The modification of these systems in a series of processes is starting from the current condition and gradually evolving in phases not only until but also after the closure of the mines in a dynamic choreography. The overlap among these different elements interweaves the complexity of the site, as several systems work in the same space. “Both the tree and the semilattice are ways of thinking about how a large collection of many small systems goes to make up a large and complex system. … The semilattice, by comparison, is the structure of a complex fabric; it is the structure of living things, of great paintings and symphonies.” (Alexander, 1965) Finding these potential linkages between the different systems and closing cycles of production and waste is among the challenges of the design investigation, as
they can provide various space qualities in an operative territory. In this study, the section is used as a tool to show the collaborations among the systems; a couple of interconnected operational sections in different positions are being reformed until the closure and after mining. Alan Berger (Berger et al., 2009, p.14) states the importance of an understanding on “…how natural and artificial systems dynamically function in regional territories and small locales, and ultimately feed back into both scales from new design and planning interventions”. Thinking in different scales where the “…larger scale logic is embedded in the smaller scale proposals.” (Berger et al., 2009, p.15) is embedded in the design. The difficulty of capturing the evolution of a moving landscape is also apparent in the design of its transition towards the post-mining era. “The promise of landscape urbanism is the development of space time ecology that treats all forces and agents working in the urban field and constitutes networks of inter-relationship.” (Corner, 2006) The process of modifying the systems has a spatial footprint where productive, cultural, ecological, and urban elements coexist in homeostasis. This project is not about returning the landscape in a previous stage, but reclaiming the diverse productivities of a manipulated territory.
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Tracing the basin of Megalopolis Framing the basin a . G eological processes b . Urbanization in the basin of
Megalopolis
c. Dynamics of a productive territory
A multi-layered landscape
This chapter frames the basin of Megalopolis as a unity, looking first into the geological processes, which explain the existence of lignite in the area, projecting at the same time a continuous but diverse inhabitation. In parallel, the evolution of the urbanization reveals the changing relation between the city and the villages, and further between the city and the productive territory. The transformation of this productivity also reflects different social aspects and urban conditions. How is this multilayered landscape expressed in space and appropriated through time?
a. Geological processes
Considering land as the result of a very lengthy and very slow stratification (Corboz, 1983), it’s important to identify the traces of lost territorial processes. Moreover,, the geological processes and the composition of the geological substratum are defining contemporary conditions. The area of the basin of Megalopolis was a lake in prehistoric times, more luckily composed by three separate water bodies3, with aquatic plants and surrounding dense forests. The inhabitants of the area during the period of Pleistocene were various mammals and other animals. After a tectonic movement that resulted in the subsidence of the basin, water escaped and the lake was gradually becoming a swamp. (Drakonias et al., 2015) Huge volumes of organic matter were buried in layers and fossilized in the bottom of the swamp (PPC, 2015). This evolution is justifying the creation and existence of lignite in seams, in a depth of 250m (Koukouvelas et al., 2014). “Since 1969, the lignite seams have been exploited via open-cast mines and numerous paleontological localities have been exposed during mining operations.” (Panagopoulou et al., 2015) The excavation of lignite is becoming in such way a process of digging into the history of the area’s evolution. 3 The three main lignite deposits have different physicochemical characteristics, probably because of the existence of three lakes. These deposits are: Choremi-Marathousa (total depth 140 m), Thoknia-Kyparissia (total depth of 20-100 m) and Karytaina (total depth of 45 m). The thickness of the lignite beds varies from a few to 5 m. (Kordas, 2006)
lakes
vegetation and life
tectonic movement
swamp and sediments
lignite layers
Image on the left: Earlier excavations revealed paleontological findings as well. In 1903, paleontological excavations and research in Megalopolis basin, with the help of the villagers, brought to light a large amount of fossilized megafauna (Pleistocene), such as elephants (bones and tusks 3,20m long), rhinos, hippos, mammoth (the southernmost location on earth to be found) as well as other animals.
Locate the basin: The topography of Peloponnese peninsula indicates a mountainous land with internal basins.The internal basin of Megalopolis is located in central Peloponnese, in an altitude of around 400m, is next to the upper Plateau of Tripolis, the capital of the province. It is surrounded by mountains Mainalon from the northeast, Taygetos from the south and Lycaion from the west. Source: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, http://en.uoa.gr/ http://www.biol.uoa.gr/istorika-stoixeia/8eodwros-skoyfos.html
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Framing the basin
The basin is situated in the center of Peloponnese. Topography of Peloponnese based on GIS data from OPENDEM, http://www.opendem.info/opendem_ client.html
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200 km
Patras
Korinth
Pyrgos
Argos
Mainalon Tripolis
Lycaion
Taygetos Sparta Kalamata
Framing the basin
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Geological Map of Megalopolis
The diverse geological formations of the basin reveal their age and the different formation processes. The oldest geological formations which surround the basin are the limestone of the zone of Pindos and the flysch of the Tripoleos (Van Vugt et al., 2000) which construct the basis of the basin (PPC, 2015); while Pliocene (especially in the eastern part) and Pleistocene sediments cover the basin. The eastern boundary of the basin is a series of NW active faults.
Limestone Flysch_ Tripoleos Clay_ Marathousa’s
Sections across the basin
Age Pleistocene
Megalopolis
Manathousa Marathousa
Pliocene
Megalopolis Choremi
Makrision
Thoknia
Trilofon
Apidhista
Kiparissia
Choremi
Greece
Potamia / Thoknia Formation
The stratigraphic column relates the ground formations with the formation and depth of lignite, as shown on the scheme. The layers of lignite are divided by clay, silt and sand partings of 5-30 m thick (Van Vugt et al., 2000). Because of the shallow depth of the lignite beds, already from the antiquity, there were cases of spontaneous combustion that indicated the existence of lignite.
basement
Paleogene
Tripotamon
Pre-Neogene Basement Pliocene Pleistocene & Holocene
lignite
Mines
lacustrine marl
Fault
fluviatile sand
River City / Village
fluviatile gravel 0
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3km
Geological sketch map of the Megalopolis basin and stratigraphic column of the basin fill (Van Vugt et al., 2000)
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Framing the basin
lakeside layer
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Geological Map of Megalopolis Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: Luttig, G., and Vinken, R. (1966). Geological map of Megalopolis (Hannover)
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The geological frame of the basin: the map is showing the earlier formations of the mountains that surround the basin and the alluvial deposits that define its shape. Different ground formations and soil types define the hydrogeological features, more or less permeable soil. The soil on top of the lignite beds usually consist of sand, sand and gravel, soft limestone and clay. (Kordas, 2006) In search of the exact extent of the deposits, the appearance of limestone signifies the end of the lignite (PPC, 2015) 26
Framing the basin
150
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Geological map of Peloponnese by Alfred Philippson, Der Peloponnes: Versuch einer Landeskunde auf geologischerGrundlage, Berlin: R. Friedländer, 1892
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25km
HYDROGEOLOGICAL MAP N
ROCKS AND GROUNDWATER I POROUS ROCKS
Highly productive permeable deposits – water often shallow depth Low and moderately productive aquifers
II KARSTIFIED ROCKS
Highly permeable rocks – water often great depth
III LOCALLY AQUIFEROUS
Locally aquiferous (usually minor) rocks
NON-AQUIFEROUS ROCKS
Practically non-aquiferous rocks (aquicludes)
– PRACTICALLY
Production boreholes Hydrogeological Map: Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on: Hydrogeological Map of the area of Megalopolis-Dimitsana (Part of the tectonic-Hydrogeological map IGME, Tsiftsis 1986)
Settlements
Framing the basin
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The map is showing the division of the different provinces of Peloponnese (Moreas) between 1715-1730, locating Arcadia in red in the center.The boundaries changed a lot by then, but being the only province without sea at the time, gave particular characteristics to the place, its inhabitants and the landscape. Author: HOMANN, Johann Baptist. Peloponesus hodie Moreae Regnum in Omnes suas Provincias Veteres et Hodiernas accurate divisum
Map location http://imageserver.mzk.cz/mzk03/001/053/334/2619316827
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Framing the basin
b. Urbanization in the basin of Megalopolis
The basin of Megalopolis is situated in a strategic location, in the heart of Peloponnese, in Arcadia. Currently, there is good connectivity to Athens and proximity to the bigger cities of NE and SW Peloponnese, Tripolis, Kalamata and Sparta. The geographical strategic location was the reason of existence of the ancient city of Megalopolis, ruins of which lie on the northwest of the contemporary city. Ancient Megalopolis, originally named Megali Polis (meaning in Greek great city) was founded after the defeat of Sparta in 371 BC by Thebes (University of Patras, 2016). The Theban leader Epaminondas encouraged the creation of the new city for strategic purposes, as a fortress towards Sparta, aiming to control its force. Part of this colonization of a new ground was to force populations from 40 surrounding settlements to inhabit the new city. (University of Patras, 2016) Today, ruins from this period still stand. The ancient theater was amongst the biggest of its time, with a capacity of 20.000 people, neighboring with another structure in front, Thersilion. They were both used from the Arcadian people for their assemblies. The agora is located across the river Helisson that was crossing the ancient city. After a long history of alliances and battles, destructions and reconstructions, the ancient city faced decline and abandonment. It was only during the Ottoman Empire, when the village of Sinano started developing nearby ancient Megalopolis, where the contemporary city is. Nevertheless, the settlements in the basin had different relations over time. From period to period, one was more powerful and more important than another, under an interesting story of glory and decline. “It is generally admitted ‌ that Leondari is not Megalopolis. Where then is Megalopolis? Perhaps at the village of Sinano. To satisfy myself on this subject, I should have been obliged to go out of my way and to undertake researches foreign to the object of my journey.â€? (Chateaubriand, 1814)
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Pausanias’ routes in Arcadia, source: ATLAS of Morea, A project of the French scientific mission (Expedition Scientifique de Moree) 1829-1838, Athens 2011
Pausanias4, who visited the area (around 143-176 AD), states: Megalopolis was founded by the Arcadians with the utmost enthusiasm amidst the highest hopes of the Greeks, but it has lost all its beauty and its old prosperity, being today for the most part in ruins. I am not in the least surprised, as I know that heaven is always willing something new, and likewise that all things, strong or weak, increasing or decreasing, are being changed by Fortune, who drives them with imperious necessity according to her whim. (Paus. 8.33.1) 4 Pausanias (flourished AD 143-176) was a Greek traveller and geographer who left a valuable work from his trips. Periegesis Hellados (Description of Greece) is a 10 volume guide to the ancient ruins. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016) 30
Framing the basin
Painting by Thomas Cole – The Course of Empire: The Arcadian or Pastoral State, (c. 1834) 100.3 × 161.3 cm, oil on canvas, New York Historical Society
Arcadia was once isolated in the hinterlands of Peloponnese, without access to the sea, mainly occupied by mountains. Linked to the rich mythology of the area and the pastoral life of its inhabitants the term Arcadia acquired mythical dimensions and is used to describe the simple, serene, rural life. Framing the basin
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Utopian land Arcadia was glorified in the arts as a utopian land on earth; paintings, theatrical plays, but visual arts exalted the this Arcadian ideal. Expressing the Arcadian ideal, the painting of the shepherds by Nicolas Poussin (1638) is also named ET IN ARCADIA EGO. This phrase (I also was in Arcadia), written on a tomb, was given different meanings, either referring to the dead person or to death itself. In more contemporary expressions, in his homonym documentary the Greek director F. Koutsaftis (2015) argues about the importance of memory in a place as part of an identity search5.
In 1829, France organized a scientific mission in Greece, a research concerning the historical, geographical, archaeological and pictorial documentation of the country, which resulted in thematic volumes and an atlas. As pointed out by the Head of mission Bory de Saint Vincent, in the volume “Geography”, the natural landscape of a mountainous land like Peloponnese, has given isolated basins, which do not communicate with each other, resulting in the diversification of people in each place. The residents have peculiar customs, based on very different needs and interests.
5 Interview, 15.210.2015, http://www.tovima.gr/culture/article/?aid=746346
Painting by Nicolas Poussin – The Arcadian Shepherds (Les Bergers d’Arcadie) [Et in Arcadia ego] (c. 1638) 87 cm × 120 cm, oil on canvas, Paris, Musée du Louvre
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Framing the basin
Sketch of Megalopolis ruins, source: ATLAS of Morea, A project of the French scientific mission (Expedition Scientifique de Moree) 1829-1838, Athens 2011.
Framing the basin
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“Land is not a given commodity; it results from various processes.” From the one hand, it’s the spontaneous transformation, all geological and natural processes that contribute to the instability of terrestrial morphology. From the other hand it’s the human activity that turns land into an increasingly remodeled space. (Corboz, 1983, p. 16)
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Agriculture mosaic The peasant landscape with the vast agricultural fields and pastureland had characterized the basin before the mining process started. Until 1970, the economy was based on livestock, mainly poultry and pigs, sheep and goats, and agriculture, with the traditional crops of the region: olive groves, potatoes, cereals, chestnuts, walnuts, sour cherries, apples, pears, vineyards and horticulture (NTUA, 1992). Agricultural production is directly related to the cultivable land that surrounds the settlements. The population depends on an economy based on the productivity of the territory. However, the agricultural production had limitations due to small land properties and low production that eventually led to an economic decline (NTUA, 1992). The Orthophoto of the area in 1960, on the right, shows the extent of Megalopolis at the time as a small settlement inside the different patterns of the agricultural land and the natural features: Alpheus River running from south to north and Helisson from east to west. On the right: Orthophoto of the area in 1960, source: Hellenic Military Geographical Service, No 3661_R36_Megalopolis, received 08.04.2016
The central square of Megalopolis, 1928, source: Municipality of Megalopolis
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37
“This privileged link between nature and culture that is created in our society through landscape refers back to the significance that each cultural model attributes to its physical environment and to the place that it occupies on the scale of values in relation to its formal structure.� (Gregotti, 2009, p. 9) A direct relation between the city and its productive territory is developed, as shown in these images from the 1960’s. The central square of the city is transformed into a street market to trade the local products. This relation has radically changed after the transition towards the industrial era of the area, but the weekly street market is still a vibrant event. Every Friday, the flea market in Megalopolis is an attractor for people that live in the nearby villages, as they come once a week to do their groceries, visit doctors and services in the city. The dependency of the villages to the city is mainly due to the current aging population of the former and the concentration of amenities in the city.
Images from the central square of Megalopolis, 8th August1960, by Elma Hunting, a tourist visiting the area, source: http://kafeneio-megalopolis.gr
38
Framing the basin
Framing the basin
39
min.
Megalopolis
Megalopolis
Athens Tripolis Kalamata
5,768 inhabitants
Megalopolis
40
min.
198 43 46.6
2h 35 38
Megalopolis
min.
Megalopolis
min.
Leontari
257
15.9
20
Perivolia
54
02.8
5
Derveni
31
18.3
23
Karitaina
232
21.5
35
Plaka
54
05.4
9
Kato Anavryton
31
16.7
29
Kato Makrisi
221
16.2
20
Anavryton
52
15.1
26
Mavria
31
15.1
25
Paradeisia
153
13.1
18
Routsio
52
18.5
25
Orestio
31
03.3
7
Skortsinos
139
25.9
32
Ellinitsa
50
13.5
23
Gefira
30
11.4
15
Chranoi
137
13.3
19
Neochorion
49
15.3
16
Karatoulas
28
19.6
29
Lykochia
121
20.4
31
Lykaion
47
12.0
20
Marmara
25
16.6
28
Potamia
118
15.0
23
Vaggos
47
19.0
30
Vrisoules
25
12.7
16
Kastanochori
94
12.6
20
Voutsaras
47
21.1
28
Palaiochouni
24
09.2
15
Tripotamos
89
05.9
10
Mallota
46
18.0
26
Karvounaris
23
15.4
23
Psari
89
16.9
25
Falaisia
46
23.0
32
Kamaritsa
22
12.5
18
Isaris
86
19.3
32
Makrisi
44
18.5
23
Kotsiridi
22
10.6
15
Soulari
83
17.4
23
Chrousa
44
07.7
13
Fanaiti
22
14.1
19
Chirades
80
19.5
27
Soulion
42
19.8
22
Choremi
22
13.9
16
Zoni
74
13.8
23
Anthochori
41
11.6
15
Paleomiri
18
11.6
17
Anemodouri
68
23.5
33
Nea Ekklisoula
39
12.2
20
Palamari
15
17.8
31
Kotylion
64
23.8
45
Likosoura
37
16.6
28
Isoma Karyon
14
10.1
17
Vastas
62
11.4
19
Thoknia
36
09.4
16
Soulos
13
10.6
17
Kato Karyes
61
07.1
11
Ano Karyes
35
15.8
27
Kalivia
11
13.9
23
Veligosti
61
10.2
16
Trilofo
35
14.6
22
Petrovounio
10
14.9
25
Syrna
60
23.3
30
Kourounios
33
13.1
24
Gavria
9
13.0
18
Kyparissia
58
11
19
Apiditsa
32
10
17
Stroggilo
8
27.0
28
Pavlia
55
13.3
20
Katsimpalis
32
13.0
19
Ano Kalivia
3
18,9
26
Rapsommatis
55
16.6
22
Marathousa
32
04.6
9
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0
1
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
An archipelago of settlements The settlements in the basin have a long history of existence, under a story of population fluctuations and landscape alternations which demonstrates the strong dependency of the urbanization to the topography and the productive territory. In this frame, 71 villages are surrounding Megalopolis. Some of them are located in the relatively flat plateau and others on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Currently the traditional villages
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
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23
24
25 km
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/
attract tourists for their picturesque environment. In this radius, all distances from Megalopolis are less than 30min except from the more remote village of Kotylion. All the settlements faced a gradual abandonment after the 1960’s and their image now includes many abandoned building shells as standing ruins or transformed into seasonal residences.
Framing the basin
41
N
100
200
300
400
500
600
Fanis farmer
700
0
800 km
1
2 km
live work Fanis Kalogeropoulos, 28 years old Grown up in Megalopolis, studied in Thessaloniki animal husbandry and dairy production. Fanis came back to continue and expand the family business with new knowledge and technologies in order to increase productivity.
Megalopolis
live Mines
father mine worker farming
work
N
5’ 31’ live
grandfather farmer since 1950
Kalavrita
Perivolia
1h 57m 130 km
work
Korinth Argos
1h 25m 96,8 km
fodder
2 permanent and 3 seasonal workers
1h 13m 115 km
Distribution in the local market and around Peloponnese (future target is distribution to Athens, but not in supermarkets)
milk
meat
100 ha of agricultural land 100 tones milk per year
feta cheese yogurt rice pudding cream
Wholesale
(except from feta, which is not profitable: 1kg feta needs 4lt milk giving a profit of 5%)
The family business expands in all production steps
I
II
Cultivate land for fodder (wheat, barley, oat) storage and processing
42
Framing the basin
Currently 500 sheep and 4 goats (future target adding 200 goats) 1000m2 facilities
III Processing and packaging: dairy production from 20 tons of milk (future target 100 tones)
Public life
Age 0-14 y
Municipality of Megalopolis 11.014 inhabitants 7.877 Megalopolis 812 Gortyna 2.325 Falaisia
The city is structured based on the system of Hippodamus, with a grid of approximately 100x70m, covering an area of about 2x2km. The two main vertical axes, direction from NW to SE and from SW to NE, concentrate all commercial activities and they meet forming the central square. The social life of the city is taking place along these main axes and the square, but a series of other small scale formal and informal public spaces and amenities, attached to the grid, is completing a vague network.
60, 45% Active Population Primary Occupation
Tertiary Sector secondary activities
The population of the municipality of Megalopolis and of settlements around changed radically in the transition period towards the industrial era. The decline in population of the surrounding villages does not directly link to the increase of Megalopolis’ population, as people from other areas in Greece, specialized labor force, had been arriving to work in the mines. However, it’s due to the low productivity of the highland, the bad connectivity of the infrastructural network on a strong geomorphological terrain and the concentration of amenities in Megalopolis because of the start of the mining operation. (NTUA, 1992)
gardening on the edge
The combination of different working and living places is extending the grid of the city, broadening its boundaries, as additional activities take place in the countryside. It’s an appropriation where people live in the city and work, move towards or through the landscape, which is making it part of their lives.
15-64 y
honey production on the surroundings
Secondary Sector
livestock on the edge
family structure > urban structure
hunting in the forest
Primary Sector kids parents
65+ y
single family house with back yard expanding as the family grows
Population and occupation data source: ELSTAT, 2011 in PPC, Study of Environmental Impact, DRAFT 2015, p. 103, 115
43
c. Dynamics of a productive territory
“Land could be described as having a horizontal characteristic (relief, cover and extension) while scape is vertical, dealing more with social programs (structure, activity and data). Land is more stable and less malleable than scape, which is created and destroyed through cultural tastes and acts.” (Berger, 2002, p. 151) A reading on the landscape of the basin of Megalopolis, both vertically and horizontally aims to show the changes over time. “Land, so heavily charged with traces and with past readings, seems similar to a palimpsest.” (Corboz, 1983) The ongoing geogenic and anthropogenic transformations of different periods on the earth’s surface are leaving their traces. These traces of different phases are still present today. The alternations in the different layers of ground, water, forest, agriculture, urbanization and infrastructure are continuous, but after the start of the mining process they accelerate in the center of the basin. What is the new landscape resulting from this acceleration? Mining is a disturbance in the smooth long-term changes, as it opposes a rapid artificial transformation to the original topography; and dominates transforming the existing systems.
44
Framing the basin
0
5
10
15
20
25 km
0
5
10
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25 km
0
5
10
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25 km
0
5
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25 km
Infrastructure 0
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Urbanization
Legend Industrial Zone Urban Tissue Mining area Forest (mixed, coniferous, broadleaf ) Sclerophyllous vegetation Transitional forest and scrub areas Natural pastures Mainly agriculture with extent areas of natural plantation Complex agricultural systems Olive grove Sand dune Non irrigated arable land
Agriculture 0
5
10
15
20
25 km
Legend Industrial Zone Urban Tissue Mining area Forest (mixed, coniferous, broadleaf ) Sclerophyllous vegetation Transitional forest and scrub areas Natural pastures Mainly agriculture with extent areas of natural plantation Complex agricultural systems Olive grove Sand dune Non irrigated arable land
Forest 0
5
10
15
20
25 km
0
5
10
15
20
25 km
Water 0
5
10
15
20
25 km
Ground 1940
1990
2000
2015
Framing the basin
45
1940 An overlapping of the hydrology, forest, agriculture and road network reveals the original landscape before the mining activity. Simultaneously the connections between the settlements are realized through mule paths. A network of dirt roads is used by the local population to transfer goods and people. At the time, the center of the basin has extended agricultural land and forest.
Agricultural land Wooded area Mule paths Main Road Network Secondary Road network Road under construction Railway Churches
46
Framing the basin
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: British Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, 1948. Scale 1: 250,000, sheets: KALAMAI G13 and PATRAI G11 (THE BALCANS 1:250,000, FIRST EDITION AMS 2) Compiled by 512 Fd. Survey Coy., R.E., June, 1944, From 1:100,000 Greek maps of 1941
N
Framing the basin
47
25 km
1990 The exploitation of the lignite has already replaced big part of the forest and agriculture with a growing speed and has changed the existing connections between the settlements.
Legend Urban Tissue Mining area Forest Scrubs Mainly agriculture with extent areas of natural plantation Orchards Railway Road network
48
Framing the basin
0 0
1
2
3
4
55
6
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8
9
10 10
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12
13
14
15 15
16
17
18
19
20 20
21
22
23
24
25 km km 25
Legend
Urb Min Fore Scru
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on map data from the Hellenic Military Geographical Service, sheets of Megalopolis, of Dimitsana and of Nea figaleia, Scale: 1:50,000, December 1992
N
Framing the basin
49
Main Orc Railw Roa
2000 A more detailed documentation on the surrounding forest and pastureland (CORINE 2000) and the extented infrastructure network. Before the major fires in 2007, the vegetation in the area had a different image than today. The gap in the center present the expansion of the mines by then.
Legend Industrial Zone Urban Tissue Mining area Forest (mixed, coniferous, broadleaf) Sclerophyllous vegetation Transitional forest and scrub areas Natural pastures Mainly agriculture with extent areas of natural plantation Complex agricultural systems Olive grove Sand dune Non irrigated arable land Railway Road network
50
Framing the basin
0 0
1
2
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55
6
7
8
9
10 10
11
12
13
14
15 15
16
17
18
19
20 20
21
22
23
24
25 km km 25
Legend
Indu Urb Min Fore Scle Tran Natu
Main Com Oliv Sand
Non Railw Roa
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/, Corine Land Cover 2000
N
Framing the basin
51
0
50
100
150
200
250 km
O32 E4
N
Hiking paths Agriculture Forest Transitional vegetation Wildlife sanctuaries Natura 2000 Burnt areas (fires 2007) Urban tissue
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/, Corine Land Cover 2000 and TOPOguide for the hiking paths
52
Hiki Agri Fore Tran Wild Nat Burn Urb
A multi-layered landscape κατοικώ [katikó] –ούμαι : 1.
for groups of people that live in a place | a place where someone inhabits or which is inhabitable
2.
more formal, I reside in a place | the place where I have my house, my residence
[λόγ. < αρχ. κατοικῶ] Co-presence of different activities, time-space sharing
“What counts in landscape is less its ‘objectivity’ than the value attributed to its configuration. This value can only be cultural.” (Corboz, 1983)
The inhabitation of the territory over time projects its multi-functionality, the variety of activities that are coming together in the same space and form its identity. Ancient ruins and paleontological findings come together with the continuous appropriation of the forest and the mountains, the agricultural land and the pastureland, as well as with the contemporary urban tissue and the intensive mining activity. The appropriation of the different landscapes reveals the natural, archaeological and cultural territorial heritage which is not only a composition of spatial elements but also the constant use of the territory. “Space depends on scale and experience, exists as well as in the transition between the interior and the exterior, is inhabited by users; it does not exist without temporality.” (Verbakel, 2007) Various cultural and religious points, such as churches in the main square of each village, are containers of the social life. A vast network of chapels around the cliff tops are popular spots to visit during annual celebrations; while monasteries near the forest, in which a few monks or nuns live and manage their own cultivable land, are popular locations for people and tourists to visit. Furthermore, springs, fountains and monuments, spread around in the landscape, are spots where travellers and visitors have short stops to drink water or see the view or admire the nature (where annual ceremonies also take place).
Among the different activities hiking and hunting relate more to the forest and the mountains. Hiking in different times of the year, is organized mainly by hiking clubs and has different levels of difficulty, or it can even be organized individually. Multiple hiking paths surround the basin, such as the O32, which is 192km long and is one of the most coherent and well maintained National Hiking Paths that crosses Central Peloponnese, starting from Vitina on mount Mainalon (where it meets the long European path E4), crossing Lousios gorge and Karitaina, going through the basin of Megalopolis towards mount Taygetos. Hunting is organized in seasons of each game are defined by the minister’s annual regulatory decision, but in general, hunting is allowed from 15th of September until the end of February and is completely forbidden from 11th of March until the 20th of August. From 20th of August until the 14th of September is only allowed in areas designated as “Migratory Birds’ Passage”. Daily, hunting is allowed in the morning, half an hour before the sunrise and half an hour after the sunset. (Hunting guide, 2016)
A multi-layered landscape
53
15
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24
25 km
The complexity of this coexistence is intersecting the mining area, which is sometimes enhancing and other times disrupting the continuities. Thus, there are fragmented and connected parts as well, such as the grasslands of the reclaimed deposits and the artificial lakes that serve livestock. The perception of being inside a basin is also defined by specific landmarks. The cooling towers, as contemporary landmarks, stand inside, in the center of the basin forming two orientation elements, while the surrounding mountains are defining the outerupper border of the basin, forming at the same time a geological landmark. In this timeless landscape, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the inhabitants of the land tirelessly erase and rewrite the ancient scrawls of the soilâ&#x20AC;?. The exploitation of the land is a process of landscape colonization even of remote areas with machinery and land becomes an object of construction, a type of artifact, a product. (Corboz, 1983)
Monasteries Chapells Churches Wells
54
A multi-layered landscape
00
11
22
33
44
55
66
77
88
99
10 10
11 11
12 12
13 13
14 14
15 15
16 16
17 17
18 18
19 19
20 20
21 21
22 22
23 23
24 24
25 25 km km
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on map data from GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/, and the Hellenic Military Geographical Service, sheets of Megalopolis, of Dimitsana and of Nea figaleia, Scale: 1:50,000, December 1992
A multi-layered landscape
55
contour lines dirt roads primary roads conveyor belts natural gas pipeline railway national road corrals chapels , churches ancient ruins pasture land lakes agriculture land forest 56
A multi-layered landscape
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
0
1
conveyor belts natural gas (pipe) dirt roads (mines) dirt roads secondary roads primary roads railway national road settlements industries
2
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6
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8
9
10 km
0
1
2
3
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5
6
7
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removed churches removed chapels monasteries churches chapels ancient ruins
0
1
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contour lines creeks river pasture land olive groves agriculture (external deposits) agriculture land lakes lignite yards
3
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8
9
10 km
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2
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6
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8
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10 km
rivers creeks transitional forest mixed forest mixed forest forest lakes temporal lakes (mines)
62
A multi-layered landscape
A multi-layered landscape
63
The machine-made landscape Mining activity in systems a . Energy b . Water
Earthworks - landscape alternations a . L and expropriation b . Material movement
This chapter explores lignite extraction as a process of expropriation and continuous alternations. The mining activity is a necessity for energy production in the national scale, depending on the exploitation of domestic resources.The growing open pit of Megalopolis transforms the landscape in multiple levels; therefore the logics of the machinery is constantly reformulating an artificial topography by extracting and moving material as well as changing the natural water flows. What are the systems generated by these processes?
energy production_ nominal power MW
Coal-fired power stations with especially high health-damaging emissions
1 Maritsa Iztok 2, BG 2 Turceni, RO 3 Belchatów, PL 4 Megalopolis A, GR 5 Jänschwalde, DE 6 Rovinari, RO 7 Drax, GB 8 Turów, PL 9 Kozienice, PL 10 Romag Termo, RO 11 Longannet, GB 12 Isalnita, RO 13 Galabovo, BG 14 Nováky, SK 15 Niederaußem, DE 16 Lippendorf, DE 17 Bobov Dol, BG 18 Prunérov, CZ 19 Deva, RO 20 Rybnik, PL Source: COAL ATLAS 2015, Facts and figures on a fossil fuel, p. 19
800
Mineral Raw Materials are mineral constituents of the earth’s crust of economic value. In the most comprehensive sense this includes the so-called “mine output” as well as the output from processing at or near the mines. (World Mining Data, 2015, p.10)
700
Lignite combu stion
600
500
400
300
200
Renewable Energy
s Source
100
2016
2025 68
Mining activity in systems
2035
2045
2050
Energy Production and Pollution Lignite is a type of coal which is considered as a low quality resource for electricity production. In the national scale almost the whole electricity production is based on non-renewable resources and mainly on the exploitation of lignite. Among them there is a considerable percentage of energy production depending on natural gas and oil. On the other hand regarding the renewable resources there is high potential in solar and wind power, as well as geothermal mainly on the islands. The Lignite Center of Megalopolis is contributing to the national electrical grid, which is organized in a central system (for the mainland)(G.C. Spiropoulos, M. Emmanoulidis J.K. Kaldellis, 2011), where all the Thermal Power Stations contribute with electric power. The “electrical grid is mainly supported by 15 major thermal power stations (TPSs)” (Kaldellis et al., 2009) Concerning the exploitation of lignite, the mining activities are related to major environmental impacts 0
100
200
300
400
for the regions; because of the intense activity of excavation transforming the topography changes the hydraulic gradient and produces pollutants, which affect the irrigation and water supply in the territory. In the list of “coal – fire stations with high health-damaging emissions”, Megalopolis’s TPS rates on the third place, this is a considerable factor for the scale of pollution and the impact on the local communities. (Coal Atlas, 2015) Additionally, the TPS of Megalopolis has a considerable higher contribution to SO2 emissions until 2008, compared to the large scale installations6 in the northern part of the country (G.C. Spiropoulos, M. Emmanoulidis J.K. Kaldellis, 2011) 6 In 2008 there were 16 active Thermal Power Stations (TPS) - units in the northern area of the country, compared to 4 units in Megalopolis. (G.C. Spiropoulos, M. Emmanoulidis J.K. Kaldellis, 2011). In 2011 two of the units in the Lignite Center of Megalopolis were closed. 500
600
700
800 km
Thermoelectric POWER PLANTS Lignite Natural Gas Natural Gas private Oil Photovoltaic Parks Wind Mill Parks
4,2% energy imports
7,6% SEA and others
Megalopolis
13% hydroelectric power
25,3% natural gas
49,9% lignite
Energy Resources in Greece Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/
Mining activity in systems
69
50
100
150
200
250 km
SO2 emission factors (kg/MWhe)
0
120
100
80
Renewable Resources Potential in Peloponnese Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/
60
natural gas underground pipes rubber
40 fertile soil ZEBRA
infertile soil
20
infertile soil and lignite beds heavy machinery
Energy System Diagram |
lignite yards 20-bucket wheel excavator
conveyor belts
conveyor belts
excavation & combustion processes
0 2000
1995 70
Mining activity in systems
The process of the excavation of lignite produces deposits of infertile soil and lignite. The latter is collected in the lignite yards, where is distributed to the units for the combustion (burning of lignite), an activity which produces fly ash, CO2 & SO2 emissions. Fly ashes include significant portion of magnetic minerals which are transported through atmospheric pathways and deposited on the ground. Fly ashes from coal combustion contain very high level of trace metals, which is affecting the water supply and irrigation for the territory. (Sarris et al., 2009) 7 At this point it is important to mention that fly ash particles are considered by many experts as extremely contaminating, being also associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. (Kaldellis et al., 2009) The remaining part of the fly ash (which is collected through filters) is disposed in landfill together with gypsum, which is also produced by the lignite combustion. There is already a reuse of the fly ash and gypsum as construction materials, by private companies but in a very short percentage compared to the disposal.8 7 In the same article it is mentioned that “Accumulation of anthropogenic ferromagnetic particles originating during high-temperature combustion of fuels (Vassilev 1992; Dekkers and Pietersen 1992) results in significant enhancement of top soil magnetic susceptibility.” 8 “Regarding the fly ash produced from Greek power sta-
In the current situation there are three units producing electricity, two of them based on lignite combustion and a new one based on imported natural gas. Concerning the advantages of this mining activity to the local community is the low cost heating system, which is provided by the combustion process.Taking advantage of the combustion of the lignite, the PPC provides district heating to approximately 500 households (TPS Megalopolis, 2015), which allow each family to save up to 40% compared to the heating based on oil consumption. Based on the potential in renewable resources for energy in the scale of Peloponnese, there are not many opportunities in wind power and biomass for the basin of Megalopolis. On the other hand, seeing the waste from all the stages of the mining activity, as well as the high level of pollution for the territory, energy system could generate new synergies and economies. In parallel regarding the lignite’s depletion9 in the next 25 years, the post mining landscape creates new dynamics, in terms of energy, becoming a potential resource for biomass and energy production. tions, the relatively high uptake abilities and the low mobility of toxic elements allow the use of fly ash in several applications such as adsorption materials, sewage treatment, land filling and cement and concrete production.” (Kaldellis et al., 2009) 9 “It is expected that the lignite’s depletion time shall vary from 25 to 50 years” , in the national scale (Kaldellis et al., 2009)
Unit V electricity SO2
NOx
rubber
gypsum
byproducts
CO2
Megalopolis
Atmoelectric power plants Units I and II closed Units III and IV in total 600 MW
national interconnected electrical grid
fly ash
HEAT
district heating
biomass
2008 underground pipes
Mining activity in systems
71
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1,4%
Ladonas Dam 6%
hydropower production
12%
Lo
us
io
s
water supply (domestic use)
livestock
0,7%
Al
ph
eu
s
He
lis
so
n
industry
6.4%
12.5%
Megalopolis
irrigation
summer period 87%
annual 74%
0
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30
40
50
60
70
Areas of influence - Pollution caused by heavy industrial activities & landfills in Alpheus Basin industrial platforms
landfills
Annual Demand of Water (hm3)
< 0.5
0.5 -2
2 - 5
72
5 - 10
> 10
industrial platforms & landfills
80
90
( h m 3)
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: Ministry of Environment & Energy, 2012 | Special Secretariat for Water, 2013
The annual amount of the water that is extracted from underground is 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 hm3, while 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16hm3 is used only in the cooling towers. The 90% of the later is used for the cooling process, which is transformed to steam and evaporates in the air, (without returning to the surface as liquid). The other 10% of the water is used for other industrial processes related to the cooling tower, such as the cleaning of the filters. The rest of the fresh water that is extracted is distributed for water supply to the nearest settlements and for the industrial buildings as well as for irrigation purposes.
Mining activity in systems
100 km
Human Pressure in the basin of Alpheus
Interruption in the natural water flow
The basin of Megalopolis is crossed by Alpheus River (one of the biggest rivers in the country) and is part of its catchment area, located in the upstream area.The intense human activity in the river basins is directly related to the high demands in water consumption. In the basin of Alpheus irrigation, industrial activities, water supply and livestock are the main consumptive uses10(Mihas et al., 2014) that require large quantities of water. The annual demand for water is up to 120hm3, from which irrigation and industrial use require more than 90% (Ministry of Environment & Energy, 2012). The demand for water is not equally distributed during the year, while it depends on the season and the number of rainfalls. Hence during the summer the demand for water is increasing, while the precipitation is much lower.
The intense extraction of fresh water especially during the summer period creates imbalances in the natural water flows. The steady rhythm of withdrawal from the aquifer opposes to the fluctuations of the water level below and above the surface. Characteristic example of this condition is when the springs in a higher level dry up because of the lower level of the karstic aquifer and they stop providing water in the main river of Alpheus. In this (not so often) case the PPC extract more water from the karstic aquifer to fill the springs artificially. Except the large amount of fresh water that is used for the combustion of the lignite, at the same time during the excavation process around 10hm3 annually is pumped out from the mines directly to the river. According to the official Study of Environmental Impact of the PPC the cycle of the natural water flow is maintained in balance, because of the volume of the water returned to the surface.
The extraction of lignite and the energy production in the basin of Megalopolis is one of the highest human pressures, in terms of water consumption in the area.This process demands high volumes of fresh water coming directly from the aquifer through a system of boreholes (around 130 – 150m deep) in the karstic aquifer, below the lignite beds.
Therefore, a question is raised about the quality of the water, considering also that the extraction area is located in the upstream area of the Alpheus river basin and therefore it affects the quality of the water for irrigation and water supply, in the territory. Could these large volumes of water be recycled or treated and return to the environment? It is a challenge and potential for a better water quality for the region and a more resilient system of the mining activity until closure.
10 ESTIMATION OF WATER EXPLOITATION INDEX PLUS (WEI+), “The total average annual abstraction, TWA, is calculated based on the average annual demand data, referred on 4 basic consumptive uses of water. In this category the hydropower production is not included and it is considered to be a non-consumptive use, while it returns to the environment.” (Mihas et al., 2014)
Alpheus catchement area District Water Directorates
|
possible recycle of water
Overpumping
cooling tower
use of water directly from the aquifer
possible recycle of water
treatment plant (Urban Waste Water)
90
%
10 %
treatment plant (industrial water)
cleaning filters
14 - 16
hm3
water supply - employees
Water System Diagram | excavation & combustion processes
data derived from : Thermal Power Stations of Megalopolis, 2015 | PPC, 2015
18- 20
possible recycle of water hm3
water supply - nearest settlements
pumping out
springs
hm3
hm3
(in total)
130 - 150m 3
0.65
0.5
irrigation
aquifer lignite mining area
Mining activity in systems
73
Irrigation
Rainfall & Climate
The agricultural land, not only in the local scale but also in the national scale is irrigated by 40% from public and 60% from private irrigation systems. In the second case the system based mainly on private boreholes and wells in each agricultural plot, which links to water withdrawal directly from the aquifer. In the
Concerning the annual precipitation in the area, the climate of the basin of Megalopolis, is mainly characterized as sub humid and cold, especially in the low plain. During the year more than the half of the volume of the annual precipitation is concentrated between October and March, while the 1/3 of the total precipitation is during one month, especially between autumn and winter. According to measurements being realized inside the mining area, for the year September 2013 – August 2014, the maximum precipitation of 248mm was in November and the minimum of 1mm in August. (Mines Environmental Department, 2014)
“Finally, the water sources differ radically between public and private networks. The public networks, mainly use surface water, while the private ones use underground water. There is a rising interest for artificial water reservoirs.” (EASAC) A characteristic example is the number of private boreholes in Western Peloponnese, where there are 14000 legal and 12000 illegal in total (Migkiros). “Although precise estimate of the available water resources in Greece have not been made, most authorities agree that water consumption and use constitute only a small percentage, less than ten and fifteen per cent of the annual precipitation and water potential, respectively.” (EASAC)
Regarding the overuse of fresh water from both industrial and irrigation uses, there is high potential in developing systems where the water could be collected and reused. The climate conditions in the basin of Megalopolis, in combination with the topography allow the design of water collection points depending on surface water (storm water and grey water collection) and the reuse of it for irrigation.
warm m > 7oC
mild 3oC < m < 7oC
cold 0oC < m < 3oC
harsh m < 0oC
Megalopolis
humid semi humid semi arid Diverse Climate Conditions in Peloponnese, the basin of Megalopolis flooded areas urban cores Flooding Risk Areas , 8,8% flooded surface in the District Water of Western Peloponnese (Ministry of Environment & Energy, 2012) Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: GEODATA, http://geodata.gov.gr/
74
Mining activity in systems
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: Ministry of Environment & Energy, 2012
At the same time the basin of Alpheus the climate is defined by cold winter and warm and dry summer period with the annual average temperature of 19oC. The annual precipitation is about 1058mm (8112hm3 water volume)5. In the province of Arcadia due to the strong topography and the distance from the sea, during the winter period the temperature reach even below the 0oC, with fog and frost in the low levels (autumn – winter period), source: District Water Directorates (GR01), November 2012
0
50
100
150
200
250 km
280 260 240 220
220 200 180 160
140 120
100 80
60 40
(mm)
20 0
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Ap.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Annual Precipitation in the Mining Area of Megalopolis, a comparison between the last two years
Oct.
Nov. 2013
Dec. 2014
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: (above) Lignite Center of Megalopolis, 2015 (column on the right) Mihas et al., 2014 Mining activity in systems
75
Megalopolis Mines | Mine Water Drainage The water management of the mines is based on surface water drainage system. The surface water is collected in different catchment areas by gravity through channels. Inside those areas there are floating pumping stations which leads the water through pipes directly to the river. The catchment areas are located in different levels and they change location according to the progress of the excavation. The quantity of the water which is collected in the catchment areas is mainly liquid precipitation which flows over the inclining surfaces of the mines, as well as underground water which meets the surface when the excavation reach the lower levels. The water is disposed directly to the river untreated, which contains lignite dust and earthen materials derived from the mining activity. There is only a periodical treatment during the year in the basins, where the water is collected. On the northern edge of the mines, in the open pit of Kyparissia, there is the main karstic aquifer of the basin of Megalopolis. Until 2010, due to the ongoing excavation process in the open pit of Kyparissia, it was necessary to pump out the water which was rising in the lower levels of the mines. Gradually due to the mining activity the level of the ground water decreased and while in 1992 the level was at +300m until 2005 it had reached the level of +285m. Additionally, there was an extra use of fresh water for the operation of three in total Thermal Power Stations, two of which were closed between 2010 and 2011. (PPC, 2015)
Reuse of the pumped water Images inside the mines; watering the surface of the mines to prevent the fly sediments flowing in the atmosphere. Source: Lignite Center of Megalopolis, department of Environment
76
Mining activity in systems
Dynamics of the karstic aquifer The groundwater level of the karstic aquifer is changing according to the extraction of fresh water for the combustion process, the diagram (image on the right page) is showing the mines water drainage path between 2004 - 2013, Lignite Center of Megalopolis, 2013 - Evaluation of the Environmental Impactâ&#x20AC;?, PPC 2014 source: Study of Environmental Impact, PPC 2015, draft version
Images: northern edge of the mines, open pit Kyparissia, lake created by the rising of the karstic aquifer source: Google Street View
â&#x20AC;&#x153;In general terms, surface mine developments and underground mine workings below the phreatic level invariably changes the hydraulic gradient, thus affecting the groundwater and surface water flow regimes. As a consequence, flow of water may be induced from the surrounding rock mass towards the mining excavations which may necessarily require pumping large quantities of water and creating extensive and prolonged cone of depression.â&#x20AC;? (Fernandez-Rubio and Lorca, 1993)
July 2014
October 2011
Ap
ril
310 300
r
be
m ce
e
D 290 280 270 260
13 20
12 20
1 20 1
10 20
09 20
20 08
7 20 0
6 20 0
05 20
20 0
4
250
Mining activity in systems
77
78
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The elements of temporal landscape transformation range from climatic and seasonal variations to the infrastructures of colonization and from the cultivation of the soil to the revenge of the natural elements.â&#x20AC;? (Gregotti, 2009, p. 7) 79
Earthworks - landscape alternations Land expropriation
1970 - 1980
1960 - 1970
In the starting point of the extraction the Public Power Corporation bought the first area to prepare the ground and the infrastructure for the upcoming mining and energy production activity (1960 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1970) . In each expansion the PPC was broadening its property (see fig. 00 - red lines) by expropriating new ground. The small scale plots owned by different farmers or local people were transformed to a large ownership. Gradually the mining spread over the vast agricultural land and the settlements, which were on top of significant quantities of natural energy resources. Another kind of production took place, transforming it from purely agricultural to the extraction of materials and energy production.
80
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
2000 - 2010
expansion of PPC expropriation active mining area new external deposits external deposits fly ash deposit river railway settlements
Expansion of The Lignite Exploitation
1990 - 2000
1980 - 1990
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: Expropriations Map, source: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis, January 2002, provided by Mines Central Support Department, PPC, 2016
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
81
1960
82
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
1998
Transformation of the agriculture land to an open pit Map data: Google, DigitalGlobe
1998
2013
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
83
Aerial view (orthophoto) of the lignite mines in Megalopolis, 1998 source: Lignite Center of Megalopolis
84
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
85
2015
2006
2005 2011 86
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
2010
2007 with future expansions 2015
Alternations "Every mining expedition and reclamation project is a unique design scheme that relies on mappings of temporal landscape processes." (Berger, 2002) The extraction of the lignite and the deposit of soil are processes supported by a huge infrastructure of conveyor belts, which transfer the materials. A timeline between 2005 and 2015 is showing the different installations of the conveyor belts (red lines) according to the new lines of excavation. Along with that, a series of alternations is happening on the soil and water conditions, with expanding external and internal deposits of soil and new areas of water collection (water drainage). Alternations due to the mining expansion
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis, provided by the Survey Engineering Department, PPC, 2016 Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
87
new conveyor belts future limits of the mines conveyor belts external deposits - contours mining areas - contours river lakes water collection (catchment areas) Alternations due to the mining expansion
Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis, provided by the Survey Engineering Department, PPC, 2016
88
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
with future expansions
2015 Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
89
90
External deposit
1960
1998
Open pit Marathousa
1960
1998
West external deposit
1960
1998
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
2003
2016
2003
2016
2003
2016 Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
91
92
Material movement Different types of machines are forming the different topographies and types of landscapes. The excavation process results in enormous holes on the earth’s surface: “monumental vacancies that define, without trying, the memory traces of an abandoned set of futures”. (Smithson, 1967) Smithson provides an example of a “jejune experiment” with white and black sand, discussing the irreversibility of a manipulative action on a certain ground. The opposite action cannot reverse the result; instead, it is increasing the entropy, escalating the same result. The manipulated topography is a distortion in the territory, the alien element of a continuously transforming landscape. The scale of extraction site is opposing to the one of the original landscape. Jackson (1984) discusses a new definition of the landscape as “a composition of man-made or man-modified spaces to serve as infrastructure or background for our collective
existence”. The extraction as a process of material movement in co-existence with all the different elements or traces composes the identity of the place, the “genius loci”. Evolving landscapes have a dynamic character inscribed in the way they are domesticated. The way the machines work; excavate, move and deposit materials is transfiguring the ground in a certain way. Corner (2006) in Terra Fluxus refers to Gruen’s description of landscape as a region “where human occupation has shaped the land and its natural processes in an intimate and reciprocal way”. Sharper or softer distinctions between the original and the artificial elements coexist in a shifting landscape. The machinery is transfiguring the topography resulting in embodied and displaced elements of scape being equally essential as shape (Jackson, 1984). Scape seen as an instant of topography is capturing the essence of all daily transformations of the mines.
93
Material Movement I:
The diagram shows the start of the extraction process for the different mines in different time. Extracted materials from the open pit mines are being transferred to the lignite yards and to the external deposits, gradually forming hills. From the yards, there is a continuous flow of lignite towards the units, for the combustion. After this process, the byproducts of fly ash and gypsum are moved from the units and being deposited in a landfill. The schematic NS cross section shows the original topography of the area and the different mines and lignite beds. Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis and Research Project: Study on the environmental reclamation of the Lignite Center of Megalopolis, NTUA Interdepartmental team, December 1992 Schematic cross section NS through the Megalopolis basin. Source: Van Vugt et al., 2000, p. 5
94
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
I Kyparissia initial open pit excavation starts after 1978 still open II Thoknia initial open pit excavation starts after 1969 until 2011 III Marathousa initial open pit excavation starts after 1988 until 2016 IV Choremi initial open pit excavation starts 1971-1975 still active V Kyparissia external deposit starts 1977 until 1995 VI Thoknia external deposit for infertile soil starts 1972 until 1986 for fly ash starts after 1970 VII Choremi first external deposit starts 1974 until 1988 VIII Choremi west external deposit starts 1977 until 1997 IX Choremi east external deposit starts 1984 until 2000
I
KYPARISSIA
V VI II
THOKNIA
MARATHOUSA III VIII
VII
extraction areas
IV
external deposits lignite yards IX
CHOREMI
settlements fertile and infertile soil with lignite elements flow of lignite towards storage flow of lignite towards the units byproducts from lignite combustion
Three lignite storage, probably due to the existence of three independent lakes I Kyparissia II Thoknia 20-100 m total depth 20-100 m total depth 2-4 million tones production capacity
450m
350m
III Marathousa IV Choremi 140 m total depth 140 m total depth 1-2 million tones production capacity 9-12 million tones production capacity
The surface before 1970
0
-450m
Zebra formation of lignite beds and extraction lines
Material Movement II:
The diagram shows the extraction front along with the front of the internal deposits. During the first excavation, the infertile along with soil top soil and smaller lignite parts, is being deposited in external deposits that form hills and while the excavation expands, internal deposits are formed in the empty space left behind. Gradually the external deposits are being reclaimed and the internal ones grow. Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis and on Research Project: Study on the environmental reclamation of the Lignite Center of Megalopolis, NTUA Interdepartmental team, December 1992 and on the Study of Environmental Impact, (PPC, draft version 2015).
96
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
I Kyparissia open pit currently inactive internal deposit started 2002 until 2010 II Thoknia open pit completely closed internal deposit finished fly ash deposit currently active III Marathousa open pit currently closing internal deposit finished 2016 IV Choremi open pit currently active internal deposit started 2002 estimated until 2030 V Kyparissia external deposit reclamation started after 1995 total surface 70 ha VI Thoknia external deposit reclamation period 1982-1998 total surface 80 ha VII Choremi first external deposit reclamation period 1988-1998 total surface 400 ha VIII Choremi west external deposit reclamation period starts 1997 total surface 70 ha IX Choremi east external deposit reclamation period starts 2000 total surface 210 ha
I
V VI
II
extraction areas
III
internal deposits - levels
VIII
internal deposits reforested external deposits
VII
reclamed deposits agriculture on external deposits fly ash and gypsum deposit
IV
temporal lake inside a mine lignite yards IX
settlements fertile and infertile soil with lignite elements flow of lignite towards storage flow of lignite towards the units byproducts from lignite combustion
reclamation reforestation / recultivation
active extraction front
e soil deposited inside the mines infertil
osits l dep erna ext
Material Movement III:
The diagram shows the upcoming expansions of the mines and the estimated extracted materials. The extraction and deposit fronts of 2020 and 2025 show the expected evolution of the mines.The graph illustrates the estimated total material that will be extracted from each mine as well as estimation for the quantity of lignite. At the same time, in order to project the loss of top soil and its importance, there is a need to calculate the quantities extracted for the expansion areas, as shown on top right. Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors based on data from: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis and on the Study of Environmental Impact, (PPC, draft version 2015).
98
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
a
8
9
10 km
Estimated topsoil to be extracted from the new expansions I Kyparissia _ new expansions a. 56,4 ha > 451000 m3 topsoil b. 94,7 ha > 757508 m3 topsoil III Marathousa _ new expansions a. 114 ha > 911640 m3 topsoil b. 373,8 ha > 2990360 m3 topsoil
I b
IV Choremi _ new expansions a. 108 ha > 865880 m3 topsoil 2020 242 ha > 1934482 m3 topsoil 2025 b. 186 ha > 1489047 m3 topsoil Total amount of future topsoil extraction estimated around 9,34 x106 m3
II
b
extraction areas internal deposits - levels internal deposits planned internal deposits
III a
future expansion - excavation planned future expansion 2020 extraction area 2020 deposit levels new expansion - extraction area fly ash and gypsum deposit
IV
lignite yards fertile and infertile soil with lignite elements flow of lignite towards storage
b
flow of lignite towards the units byproducts from lignite combustion 2 0 15
a
2 0 25
Projection of the future extracted material in million m3
settlements
600
20
20
Total 590,9
550 500 450 400 350
estimated lignite production in mill tones 99,14
300
83,44
250 200 150 100
15,2 0,5
50 0
C horemi 365,6
2024
Marathousa 156 Kyparissia 69,3 2039
Fly Ash deposit
Internal deposit of mixed soil (fertile - infertile)
Extraction of lignite
East external deposit (traces of deposits of soil)
Lake Kyparissia - inactive pit
Extraction of lignite (edge of the
mining area)
Therefore, land has a form, or better is a form (Corboz, 1983); a wound of strong linear geometries and softer deposit patterns, different figures that derive from the machinery which is transforming the landscape. On a wider scale, this metamorphosis includes the images generated by functional exploitation – images that can be apprehended through an adjusted level of our perception, caused by the same technological process. (Gregotti, 2009, p. 7) The various processes are leaving traces on the irreplaceable surface of the soil. “The designation terra firma (firm, not changing; fixed and definite) gives way in favor of the shifting processes crossing through and across the urban field: terra fluxus.” (Corner, 2006) The composition of these elements in time and space reveals each contemporary image of the landscape.
The current topography: interpreted in shades of grey, from the darkest the deepest to the lightest the highest point, the current manipulated topography of hills and holes in the ground is expressed in this map. The conveyor belts that transfer the material and the dirt roads inside the mines are the essential infrastructure for their function and contributors to the formation of this landscape. The map is a projection of an instant topography, of its formation during the first semester of 2016 (Data: Google, DigitalGlobe) Cartography and spatial analysis by the authors. Topography base map from: PPC Lignite Center of Megalopolis, provided by the Survey Engineering Department, PPC, 2016
102
Earthworks – landscape alternations
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
103
L andscape alternations – material movements
As the sculptures of Alexander Calder, the aforementioned transformations incorporate motion in a balance. The static matter is opposed to the constant movement. The composition of linear infrastructural elements and the areas they transform create a territorial sculpture, which always in motion. “The sense of motion in painting and sculpture has long been considered as one of the primary elements of the composition.” (Alexander Calder, Modern Painting and Sculpture,
exh. cat. Pittsfield, Mass.: Berkshire Museum, 1933), 2–3.)
“Also there is the possibility of using motion in an object as part of the design and composition. The sculpture then becomes in one sense a machine, and as such it will be necessary to design it as a machine, so that the moving parts shall have a reasonable ruggedness. Even those sculptures designed to be propelled by the wind are still machines, and should be considered thus, as well as aesthetically.”
(“A Propos of Measuring a Mobile” by Alexander Calder (manuscript, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1943).)
Image on the left: Constellation, Alexander Calder Date: 1944 (circa) Material: Painted wood and steel threads Technique: Assemblage Dimensions: 90 x 67,5 x 80 cm Category: Sculpture Entry date: 1990 Register number: AS11051 Source: Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, http://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/collection/artwork/constellation
104
105
Systems located "Like an operation system, its software and hardware come in the form of points, patches, or planes of interventions or as networks and zones of influence, sometimes fluid or fragmented, gradual or temporal." (Belanger) Visible and invisible sets of movements and flows are generated through the dominant mining activity. Flows of energy, material and water intertwined with the smaller scale systems of the settlements in territory. Surface and underground infrastructure create a network to serve industrial and domestic demands.
pumping stations wells fresh water supply for industrial use water supply for domestic use energy flow surface channel (urban waste water) national road primary roads natural gas (underground pipes) conveyor belts
fly ash deposit excavation area internal deposit 106
Earthworks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; landscape alternations
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
NATIONAL ELECTIRCAL GRID
DRILLINGS (MAIN KARSTIC AQUIFER)
MAVRIA
KATSIMPALIS
N. EKKLISOULA FLY ASH DEPOSIT PLAKA
NATURAL GAS UNIT V
TPS A
TPS B
ORESTIO
DISTRICT HEATING
DRILLINGS
(WATER SUPPLY)
TRUCKS PARKING
MEGALOPOLIS CITY APIDITSA
PERIVOLIA
SOIL DEPOSIT
CEMENT COMPANY
LIGNITE EXTRACTION
URBAN WASTE WATER DISPOSAL
ALPHEUS RIVER
10 km
Reconfiguring the productive territory Operative territory in sections Capturing a moving landscape Exploring sections a . Olive b . The
Grove
Valley
c. Energy
Crops
Operative territory in sections Starting from the mass material movements and the large amount of fresh water, extraction of the lignite and electricity production, the mining activity could be seen as a closed industrial system, where energy, soil and water have been overexploited. In all the steps and phases of these processes, there is waste produced that could be seen as a dynamic for a new system. How could the waste of each system generated by the industrial activity, be a potential for the territory?
A reading of the current networks could lead to design strategies for the creation of more resilient systems, where more demands could be met, without overexploiting the non-renewable resources of the landscape. Through a frame of until and after closure phases, the proposed design strategies explore the dynamics of recycle and reuse the existing waste of the systems of energy, soil and water.
natural gas
electricity
Unit V
underground pipes
SO2
relocation - expropriation
NOx
rubber
CO2 rubber
reforestation-agriculture
emissions pollution air - water - soil
byproducts
fertile soil
ZEBRA
infertile soil
infertile soil and lignite beds 20-bucket wheel excavator
heavy machinery
~10
ashes
lignite yards
conveyor belts
conveyor belts
90 %
hm3
pumping out from the extraction area
14 - 16 10 %
hm3
cooling tower
cleaning filters treatment industrial water
Atmoelectric power plants Units I and II closed Units III and IV in total 600 MW
HEAT
district heating water supply - industrial buildings
0,18
hm3
water supply - nearest settlements
biomass
Megalopolis
0,5
irrigation
0,32
hm3
domestic and agricultural use hm3
18 - 20
60%
dicrease of surface water
Alpheus
Current
110
hm3
Overpumping
of the agricultural land of the country is irrigated by private drillings (290.000) - aquifer
lifestock
gypsum maceration
use of fresh water directly from the aquifer
0,65
hm3
130 - 150m
aquifer
underground pipes
40% less cost than using oil for heating
“This attempts to create an environment that is not so much an object that has been “designed” as it is an ecology of various systems and elements that set in motion a diverse network of interaction. Landscape urbanism here is both instigator and accelerator, working across vast surfaces of potential.” (Corner, 2006)
relocate
natural gas
protect-exhibit
CCU: capture and reuse_ fuels/energy
fertile soil
CONO2
SO2
relocation - expropriation
x
rubber
rubber
CO2
harvest and reuse water
reforestation-agriculture
emissions pollution air - water - soil
byproducts
direct deposits
fertile soil
electricity
Unit V
underground pipes
ZEBRA
infertile soil
infertile soil and lignite beds 20-bucket wheel excavator
heavy machinery
~10
hm3
pumping out from the extraction area
ashes
lignite yards
conveyor belts
conveyor belts
50 %
90 % 14 - 16
10 %
gypsum
hm3
cooling tower 50 %
cleaning filters treatment industrial water
plaster boards
maceration
cement industry
Atmoelectric power plants Units I and II closed Units III and IV in total 600 MW
HEAT 40% less cost than using oil for heating
district heating
underground pipes
water supply - industrial buildings
0,18
hm3
biofuels
water supply - nearest settlements
biomass
thermal and electric energy
Megalopolis
0,5
irrigation
0,32
hm3
domestic and agricultural use
solar panels
hm3
18 - 20
60% of the agricultural land of the country is irrigated by private drillings (290.000) - aquifer
lifestock
hm3
Overpumping
use of fresh water directly from the aquifer
energy crops
dicrease of surface water
Alpheus
0,65
hm3
130 - 150m
aquifer
Until Closure
111
Current
F OOD F OR A NIMALS cultivation of grains
H ONEY P RODUC TION
P UMPING S URFACE W ATER directly to the river of Alpheus
D EPOSIT I NFERTILE & T OP S OIL lignite
112
flow of energy
aquifer
enriched organic matter on external deposits
flow of materials
internal deposit
reforested external deposits
flow of water
fly ash deposit
aluvial
acid rain SO2
NOx
CO2
fly as - landfill contamination of the soil
B OREHOLES
electricity supply for households
IRRIGATION
individual farmers
D AIRY P RODUC TS abandoned train station
Urban Waste Water disposal
B OREHOLES district heating (500 households)
material movement with trucks
industrial process
lignite movement with conveyor belt
new economies
soil movement with conveyor belt
local farmers
WATER SUPPLY
Until Closure
E NRICH T HE O RGANIC M AT TER cultivation of leguminous crops (roots enabling storage of nitrogen-rich material)
I NCREASE B IODIVERSIT Y R EFORESTATION
collect biomass (forest maintenance fire protection zones)
biomass combustion
biomass as raw material
B IOMASS - E LEC TRICIT Y S UPPLY electricity supply for public space & buildings
R EUSE
OF
P UMPING W ATER
purification and collection
enlarge the riverbed - slow down the flow of water & collect the lignite sediments
canal (current)
pumping surface water
S EPARATE T HE T OP S OIL The systems located in two representative sections. The first section (up) is crossing the west external deposit and the units of the energy production (combustion of the lignite) and settlements around. The second one (down) is crossing the area of the extraction of lignite, the east deposit and the city of Megalopolis as well. The cross sections are showing the main flows of energy, material and water located and the collaboration between the main industrial activities and the neighboring settlements.
lignite
flow of energy
aquifer
enriched organic matter on external deposits
flow of materials
internal deposit
reforested external deposits
flow of water
fly ash deposit
aluvial
CAPTURE AND REUSE
FUELS / ENERGY
fuels/energy fertilizer SO2
plaster boards NOx
CO2
cement industry
R EUSE O F F LY A SH
bioswale - purification
CCU:
C OLLEC TION O F S TORM W ATER retention ponds
corals - livestock (water for the animals)
irrigation
recycle the evaporated water â&#x20AC;&#x153;harvesting the fogâ&#x20AC;?
solar panels - agriculture generate energy for machineries
vegetation - remediation (contaminated soil - fly ash deposit)
B IOMASS - E NERGY
H ONEY P RODUC TION
CROPS
olive kernels - complementary to the lignite combustion)
electricity supply for households
cosmetics & medicines
collective unit
D AIRY P RODUC TS
B IOSWALE
mixed herbs & shrubs
manure fertilizer
low vegetation to keep the soil fertile
top soil collection & purification of S TORM W ATER
infertile soil district heating
material movement with trucks
industrial process
lignite movement with conveyor belt
new economies
soil movement with conveyor belt
local farmers
collect storm water
abandoned train station turns to P UBLIC S PACE
existing olive groves (olive oil production)
After Closure T HE C RATER V EGETABLES P RODUC TION S ILVOPASTORAL S YSTEM
plant shrubs, trees & herbage
collect biomass (forest maintenance fire protection zones)
B IOMASS - E LEC TRICIT Y S UPPLY biomass combustion
biomass as raw material
local electricity supply for fouseholds
C OLLEC TION
OF
S URFACE W ATER
wet season - use for irrigation in the dry season
P REVENT A CID M INE D RAINAGE
B IOTOPE
low vegetation planted on the levels of the former extraction
new spieces | birdwatching
Until Closure Along with the excavation of the lignite and the energy production, the flow of energy, material and water alters through the design strategies. Remediation processes for the contaminated and weak soil, prepare the ground for alternative agriculture. Circular economies are generated, completing the chain from production to processing and to the market.
flow of energy
aquifer
enriched organic matter on external deposits
flow of materials
internal deposit
reforested external deposits
flow of water
fly ash deposit
aluvial
bioswale - purification
C OLLEC TION O F S TORM W ATER retention ponds
corals - livestock (water for the animals)
irrigation
Faculty of Agriculture
R EUSE OF I NDUSTRIAL B UILDINGS
P ART OF THE N ATIONAL H IKING P ATH
Museum, Research Center, Production Hub solar panels - agriculture generate energy for machineries
B IOMASS - E NERGY
H ONEY P RODUC TION
cosmetics & medicines
collective unit
CROPS
D AIRY P RODUC TS
B IOSWALE collect storm water
mixed herbs & shrubs
separation of grey & black water district heating
material movement with trucks
industrial process
lignite movement with conveyor belt
new economies
soil movement with conveyor belt
local farmers
REUSE OF THE RAILWAY
(local connections & seasonal trips for travellers)
existing olive groves (olive oil production)
Strategies Closure phase
use of olive core in lignite combustion biomass (forest and agriculture) energy crops (energy production - local scale) solar panels combined with agriculture
wetlands treating the urban waste water
wetlands treating the water pumped out of the extraction sites fresh water replaced by grey water - use for the combustion harvesting - recycling water-cooling tower collect rainwater for irrigation - ponds caltivating energy crops - rotation reforestation
After Closure
remediate the most contaminated soil (ash & g
farmers collective - commonly produce & process introduce new economies - completing the chain of livestock ( fodder - livestock - dairy production - packaging) cleaning contaminated soil - wetlands
In the post-mining phase, the local economies are involved in multiple scale of production, from energy to food and medicines. New recreational areas, improved systems of water collection and energy production are proposed.
keep use reforastated areas to connect hiking paths
2016
2035
2040
Strategies SOIL: Phytoremediation Stabilize the slopes, preventing erosion by reforestation Separate top soil and keep it fertile Enrich the organic matter of soil, improve the PH Prevent Acid Mine Drainage ENERGY: Local production for local demands Biomass potential: existing forest and agriculture, agroforestry and new reforestation areas Energy crops partially for combustion (district heating) but mainly as raw material Solar panels in combination to agriculture
WATER: Release the pressure from the aquifer, use less fresh water Reuse of grey water after treatment by artificial wetlands Purification and redistribution of pumped out water Collect storm water in retention ponds for irrigation from bioswales Develop a network of drainage and irrigation creeks
Increase biodiversity Silvopastoral system
pollution waste energy production
gypsum) new economies appropriation
p the traces of the strong geometry - using the mines as public space
2050
2100
119
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
STORE TOP SOIL: Top soil storage area Low vegetation is used to keep top soil fertile
ENRICH: Enrich the organic matter of soil with specific crops to be used for fodder
9
10 km
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
COLLECT:
Storm water collection system; a network of bioswales on the grid of Megalopolis
EXPAND:
INCREASE BIODIVERSITY:
Expanding pedestrian-cyclic paths connect to the ancient theater and agora
Introduce a variety of species in the reforested areas
INCREASE BIODIVERSITY: Introduce a variety of species in the reforested areas
INSTALL: Pedestrian and cyclic routes on the two main axes of the city K-f fly ash as ertilizer
0
REACTIVATE: Reactivate the public space on Psathi deposit: a balcony to the city
PLANT: Tree crops â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eucalyptus planted for biomass
STORE: Temporal storage of findings
UTILIZE: Utilize water from existing ponds for irrigation and livestock gs Findin
REFOREST:
1
Reuse the abandoned train station and the railroad to connect the nearby villages
2
3
top
INTRODUCE: Introduce energy crops on the finished deposits of infertile soil
2017
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
REFOREST: Remediate and stabilize fly ash deposit the basis of the forest
soil
ADD: Topsoil for new agricultural land Plant nurseries
REACTIVATE: Public space in Plaka
2020
Slope reforestation to stabilize the ground and establish the structure of the agricultural plots
RELOCATE: Relocate Tripotamos village due to the new expansion
0
REUSE:
l top soi
extraction area
SLOW DOWN: Enlarge the riverbed of Alpheus River to slow down the speed: collect lignite sediments
2025
soil
STORE WATER: Water storage to provide water for the cooling towers to release the pressure from the aquifer
top
extraction area
ENRICH:
Enrich organic matter of soil
REUSE: Reuse the abandoned industrial buildings: production hub
CONNECT:
Protect industrial heritage and ancient city
DOWNSCALE: Downscaling agricultural plots, add different crops
COMPLETE: Complete district heating network in the city
REMEDIATE: Phytoremediation open pit of Marathousa PLANT:
Plant olive groves on the plateaus
TREAT: Separate treatment grey-black water
top soil
2030
top soil
extraction area
EXPAND: energy crops and a silvopastoral system REFOREST: Slope reforestation to stabilize the ground and establish the structure of the agricultural plots
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
FORM:
Lake formation on the lower level
10 km
FOREST
hikers
hikers
museum
hikers
CRATER
ANCIENT THEATER
ARENA
bees
VALLEY
livestock
migratory birds
2100
3
SLOW DOWN: Form smaller steps on the excavation levels to slow down storm water and prevent acid mine drainage
MEADOW
2050
2
INTRODUCE: New programs and public space: the arena and the crater
Expand the pedestrian-cyclic path
Crop rotation: eucalyptus replaced by agriculture in combination with solar panels
PURIFY: Purifying wetlands for the waste water of the city
RELOCATE: Relocate Choremi village due to the new expansion on the west
1
REUSE: Reuse industrial buildings: education, recreation, research
ROTATE:
extraction area
0
Retention pond for irrigation
2040
STORE WATER: Retention pond reuse the treated waste water
PROTECT:
STORE WATER:
2035
soil
plants
top
REUSE: Reuse lignite yards for water and yield storage
OBSERVATORY
COAST
livestock bees
migratory birds
Legend of the phasing diagrams.
Capturing a moving landscape “For a landscape to be properly recovered it must be remade, designed, invented anew; it cannot simply be restored, as an old painting.” (Corner and Balfour, 1999) The design in this scale focuses on sculpting a “tableau vivant”, capturing the future alternations of an operative landscape, an inhabitable productive territory. Following the dynamic processes of topographic reconfigurations until the closure of the mines, the phasing is directing the creation of a new ground. Part by part, the recomposition of the landscape is taking place in a fine grain of movements and strategies applied in different places and in different times. The moving future landscape is projected phases, in a series of diagrams, which anticipate the transition towards a post-mining era. “Landscape, as seen through the practice of reclamation, is grounded in both the mechanical and the organic models of nature, both of which are derived from these modernist conceptions and views of nature. Reclaimed natures may be technologically constructed and evolve organically (and vice versa). Nature is a curious union of the machine and the organism in reclamation.” (Berger, 2002, p.182) The design aims to articulate all the different elements, sharp and soft geometries of the topography which are complementary or in juxtaposition. Establishing a dynamic composition in balance, the current infrastructure is used to form the future landscape. The same machinery that shape the current topography in particular slopes and plateaus are used to organize the proposal. Strong geometries and unfolding soft patterns compose the future machine-made landscape. Material movements are still re-configuring the territory, as the exchange among the different areas is going on.
121
2100_ natural succession Nature has conquered the place. The injured ground of former open pit mines and the polluted external deposits are now wild life sanctuaries. A natural biotope has been gradually formed on the ground level of the former mines, as the groundwater reclaimed its pre-extraction level. The area is an attraction to hikers, tourists and locals, as multiple divers landscapes come together. Megalopolis 2100 is an agro-polis and its population has doubled since 2050, when the mines closed and new economies were established. After the long-term lignite industry, the local economy is based on biomass energy production and agriculture, livestock and bee-keeping. Circular economies tie to traditional ones and relate to the productivity of the territory. Crossing ecological corridors connect the forest through the basin and the continuity of pastureland and herbaceous vegetation form bee and sheep-corridors. 122
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
FOREST
hikers
hikers
museum
CRATER
ANCIENT THEATER
ARENA
bees
VALLEY
livestock
migratory birds
2100
hikers
MEADOW
OBSERVATORY
COAST
livestock bees
migratory birds
Reforested slopes Topsoil deposit Nurseries Reforested slopes Phytoremediation Energy crops Cereals and leguminous Public space Horticulture and orchards Pastureland and meadows Lake Yield storage Water storage
124
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
2050
0
2040 By the time lignite is over, new spaces are reclaimed. The abandoned industrial buildings serve educational, recreational and research purposes (museum, Environmental Education Centre, Institute of Agricultural Studies) gains more importance. New programs inside the mines are introduced, as in the public spaces of the arena as an open air concert hall and the crater, an open air museum in the deepest part of the left over mines. The infertile internal deposits produce biomass with the cultivation of energy crops, while the former lignite yards currently store the yield of bio-crops before processing or water for irrigation. Reforestation n combination to the silvopastoral system increase biodiversity on top and above ground. 126
1
2
REUSE: Reuse lignite yards for water and yield storage
3
4
STORE WATER: Retention pond for irrigation
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
REUSE: Reuse industrial buildings: education, recreation, research
INTRODUCE: New programs and public space: the arena and the crater
2040
0
EXPAND: energy crops and a silvopastoral system SLOW DOWN: Form smaller steps on the excavation levels to slow down storm water and prevent acid mine drainage
FORM: Lake formation on the lower level
2035 Start the reforestation on the finished fly ash deposit to remediate and stabilize the slopes, provides the basis of the forest. The preparation of the ground for the new programs and public spaces includes the phytoremediation of some areas.The former combustion units are new production hubs for the processing and packaging of local dairy products. Re-cultivating the land includes both traditional and new agriculture. Olive groves and vineyards are on the formed plateaus while crop rotation is necessary. Agroforestry is combined with small scale crops; eucalyptus forest is partially replaced by agriculture in combination with solar panels. The separation and treatment of grey and black water projects new possibilities for irrigating the formed agricultural land. 128
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
REFOREST: Remediate and stabilize fly ash deposit the basis of the forest ENRICH: Enrich organic matter of soil REUSE: Reuse the abandoned industrial buildings: production hub
CONNECT: Expand the pedestrian-cyclic path
plants
ROTATE: Crop rotation: eucalyptus replaced by agriculture in combination with solar panels
REMEDIATE: Phytoremediation open pit of Marathousa PLANT:
Plant olive groves on the plateaus
extraction area
TREAT: Separate treatment grey-black water
2035
1
top soil
0
2030 The reconfiguration of new agricultural land is also possible by adding top soil on an infertile deposit. Reforestation on the slopes is the first step to create more stable ground, shaping the plots . At the same time, the introduction of plant nurseries supplies the cultivable land. Artificial wetlands purify the waste water of the city and a retention pond is storing the treated water in order to irrigate non edible crops. A variety of crops is introduced, traditional and new ones, while the agricultural plots are being downscaled. The reactivation of existing public spaces along with bird incubators are additional programs on re-cultivated areas. District heating is an advantage provided to the locals from PPC, and completing the network of the city is already a target. 130
1
2
3
top
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
soil
ADD: REACTIVATE: Public space in Plaka
top
Topsoil for new agricultural land Plant nurseries
l
soi
PROTECT:
Protect industrial heritage and ancient city
DOWNSCALE:
STORE WATER: Retention pond reuse the treated waste water
2030
extraction area
RELOCATE: Relocate Choremi village due to the new expansion on the west
COMPLETE: Complete district heating network in the city
PURIFY: Purifying wetlands for the waste water of the city
Downscaling agricultural plots, add different crops
top soil
0
REFOREST: Slope reforestation to stabilize the ground and establish the structure of the agricultural plots
Reforested slopes Topsoil deposit Energy crops Cereals and leguminous Eucalyptus plantation 132
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
2025
0
2020 The potential for biomass is even clearer by the introduction of energy crops (high yield bio-crops) on the finished deposits of infertile soil. The energy crops donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have many requirements in soil and water conditions and are directly highly productive. Additionally, agroforestry with eucalyptus plantations offers many years of harvesting for biomass. The underused or abandoned urban potential connects to the deposits. Reactivate the public space on the external deposit of Psathi, the balcony towards the city, offers multiple uses such as sports activities and recreation, hosting annual celebrations. The currently abandoned train station is a community cultural center and the rail road transforms into a pedestrian and cycle route that connect to the nearby villages. Starting the network of bio-swales on the grid of Megalopolis allows the utilization of storm water for irrigation and livestock, while until the closure, providing water for the cooling towers from the collection and reuse of pumped out water from the excavation sites in order to release the pressure from the aquifer. 134
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
COLLECT:
Storm water collection system; a network of bioswales on the grid of Megalopolis
EXPAND: Expanding pedestrian-cyclic paths connect to the ancient theater and agora
INCREASE BIODIVERSITY: Introduce a variety of species in the reforested areas
REACTIVATE: Reactivate the public space on Psathi deposit: a balcony to the city
PLANT: Tree crops â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eucalyptus planted for biomass
UTILIZE: Utilize water from existing ponds for irrigation and livestock
STORE WATER: Water storage to provide water for the cooling towers to release the pressure from the aquifer REUSE:
oil top s
Reuse the abandoned train station and the railroad to connect the nearby villages
INTRODUCE: Introduce energy crops on the finished deposits of infertile soil
2020
extraction area
2017 The importance of topsoil is crucial at this point, as in order to retain its fertility, separation is required. A former deposit serves as the topsoil storage area. Using the existing conveyor belts, the extracted top soil is transferred and deposited, while low vegetation is used to keep it fertile. The organic matter of soil is enriched by cultivating cereal crops and leguminous plants, which are used for fodder. In parallel, the excavation processes divert Alpheus, but this diversion is reformed to slow down water by enlarging the riverbed of the river slowing down its speed, forming a collection point of the lignite sediments from the pumped out water due to the excavation processes. Reforestation on the slopes stabilizes the ground and establishes the structure of the new agricultural land, increasing at the same time the biodiversity of the already reforested areas. Pedestrian and cyclic routes start from the two main axes of the city. 136
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
STORE TOP SOIL: Top soil storage area Low vegetation is used to keep top soil fertile
ENRICH:
Enrich the organic matter of soil with specific crops to be used for fodder
INSTALL: Pedestrian and cyclic routes on the two main axes of the city
INCREASE BIODIVERSITY: Introduce a variety of species in the reforested areas
K-f fly ash as ertilizer
STORE: Temporal storage of findings
SLOW DOWN: Enlarge the riverbed of Alpheus River to slow down the speed: collect lignite sediments RELOCATE: Relocate Tripotamos village due to the new expansion
REFOREST:
Slope reforestation to stabilize the ground and establish the structure of the agricultural plots
2017
extraction area
top
l soi
gs Findin
138
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
139
140
0
1
2
3
THE VALLEY
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 km
THE OLIVE GROVE
ENERGY CROPS
141
142
L IVESTOCK D AIRY P RODUCTS
R EFORESTATION
O LIVE G ROVES O IL P RODUCTION
V INEYARDS
W INE P RODUCTION
B EEHIVES
S EASONAL P OP -U P M ARKETS
HONEY PRODUCTION
S EASONAL P OP -U P M ARKETS P EDESTRIAN & C AR
C OLLECT B IOMASS
ACCESS
C YCLE P ATH
pa
stu
re
lan
FOREST MAINTENANCE
-
FIRE PROTECTION ZONES
d
oli
ve
gr
ov
es (re
fo
re
ste
fo d
re
ar
st
ea
pr
op
os
ed
)
ho
rti
cu
ltu
re
flo
od
ab
le
(re
Activating | Phase 3
20 fo
re
sta
te
fo d
re
ar
st
ea
ex
ist
ing
10 )
0m
25
m
50
m
0m
0m
The olive groves are the dominant crops and essential elements of the landscape. Olive tree as landmark represents both cultural and economic characteristic of the basin. At the same time the road infrastructure that connects the biomass plant and the fields of biocrops becomes a powerful connection. It creates a potential ground to strengthen the existing economies (honey production) or generate new ones (wineries). Due to the topography formed by the machinery, storm water is collected in retention ponds and is used for the irrigation of fields, with higher demands in water, such as vegetables. Next to the agricultural plots, there are seasonal pop up markets, where farmers sell local products directly from their fields.
REFOREST SLOPE STABILIZATION
biomass
district heating
REMEDIATE
il topso extraction front
In the second phase, due to the continuous material movements reforestation is realized regarding the stabilization RETAIN FERTILITY agricultural of the soil. New trees are planted on thenew slopes and dikesland are formed based on the topography to collect the storm water in retention ponds. il topso
infertile deposit
deposit-storage
compos
ENRICH ORGANIC MATTER er fodd
Olive Grove The area is located on a hill between the city of Megalopolis and the mines, formed in levels and slopes, by the mining activity by depositing infertile soil mixed with top soil. Currently grassland is the main vegetation with scattered trees and livestock as well. It is a dynamic crossing, concerning the connection between the biomass plant and the fields of energy crops. In the first phase, the area becomes the storage of the top soil where it is maintained fertile. After a series of operations for the stabilization of the soil and the distribution of the top soil to other potential agricultural areas, it becomes an active part of the productive land, as well as the social life of the territory.
manure
organic fertilizer
deposit
bioswales
FORM SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM INCREASE BIODIVERSITY retention
INTRODUCE ENERGY CROPS biomass
Seeding | Phase 2
10
soil biodiversity
PREVENT ACID MINE DRAINAGE
0m
25
m
50
m
0m
20
0m
rotation / t
district heating
REMEDIATE
RETAIN FERTILITY
il topso
il topso extraction front
new agricultural land
infertile deposit
deposit-storage
compost
ENRICH ORGANIC MATTER er fodd
In the first phase the former external deposit is used as a manure storage of top soil. Through conveyor belts the top soil is organic fertilizer depositing here to be maintained for future distribution to new agricultural land.
deposit
bioswales
FORM SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM T OP S OIL S TORAGE D ISTRIBUTION
INCREASE BIODIVERSITY
TO OTHER AREAS
FOR AGRICULTURE
retention
INTRODUCE ENERGY CROPS biomass
rotation / tillage / rest
soil biodiversity
PREVENT ACID MINE DRAINAGE
exposed sulphur last excavation lines
20 10
Storing | Phase 1
0m
25
m
50
0m
m
145
0m
Silvopastoral System Mixed plantation of trees and shrubs (increase biodiversity & welfare of the animals) 146
Retention Pond rocks and gravel used to retain the storm water during the wet season
Spring 2035 | Trimming the olive147 trees
148
Seasonal Creeks the water flows in periods of high precipitation
Winter 2035 | Harvesting the olive149 trees
150
R ETENTION P OND COLLECT THE STORM WATER FOR IRRIGATION FOR HORTICULTURE
V EGETABLES P RODUCTION
C HESTNUT T REES COLLECT CHESTNUT TREES USE IN COSMETICS
&
MEDICINES
C OLLECT B IOMASS TO PROVIDE ELECRICITY SUPPLY IN LOCAL SCALE
|
PROCESSING OF BIOMASS
AS RAW MATERIAL
en
er
gy
cro
ps
or
ch
ar
ds
pa
stu
re
lan
d
(re
fo
re
ste
fo d
re
ar
Cultivation of vegetables and energy crops are contributing significantly in the local production, in terms of food and energy respectively. The variety of crops are generating new economies in different scales. The sunflowers or the wild artichokes are being harvested to produce biomass
st
ea
pr
op
os
ed
)
ho
rti
cu
ltu
re
20 10
Rotating crops | Phase 3
0m
25
m
50
m
0m
0m
fod
manure
organic fertilizer
deposit
bioswales
FORM SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM INCREASE BIODIVERSITY retention
INTRODUCE ENERGY CROPS biomass
rotation / tillage / rest
soil biodiversity
PREVENT ACID MINE DRAINAGE
The fields of energy have expanded including more areas of grassland. The energy produced from these crops could provide light in public spaces and public buildings. exposed sulphur last excavation lines
Energy Crops This zoom is part of the larger fields of biocrops based on the topography of internal deposits. Its role is crucial in the development of the production in the territorial scale, by transforming an infertile deposit to a productive land. Following the forms of levels and slopes the currently grassland turns into a colourful canvas which is changing through time, in terms of colours and different types of crops. Starting from a mixed pattern of pasture land and energy crop fields, it changes into an extended field of crops cultivated to produce energy. Afterwards agriculture expands creating a mixture of bio and edible crops.
20 10
Planting | Phase 2
0m
25
m
m 50
0m
0m
The energy crops are planted experimentally on top of the internal deposit of the mines. They have low requirements in terms of soil and water demands. They could provide energy for the local population.
R EFORESTATION
P LANT B IOCROPS WILD ARTICHOKE
20 10
Introducing | Phase 1
0m
25
m
0m
m 50
153
0m
autumn rapeseed sunflower sorghum
annual
wheat/barley chard corn
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
kenaf
multinannual
cardoon switchgrass miscanthus giant cane
154
winter
spring
summer
Energy Crops Annual
Kenaf Hibiscus cannabinus
Perennial
Sorghum Rapeseed Sorghum bicolor L. Brassica napus
Cardoon (wild artichoke) Reed Cynara cardunculus Arundo donax L.
Miscanthus Miscanthus giganteus Tree Crops
Wheat Triticum aestivum
Barley Hordeum vulgare
Maize Zea mays L.
Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum
Sunflower Helianthus annuus
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus robusta
False Acacia Robinia pseudo acacia
155
156
157 Spring 2025 | Harvesting the Sunflowers
158
retention
soil biodiversity
PREVENT ACID MINE DRAINAGE
exposed sulphur last excavation lines
ho
rti
cu
ltu
re
M IGRATORY B IRDS FLYWAYS
fo
re
The nature has concurred the place and new species of migratory birds are crossing the site. The expansion of the open pit has already finished and the leftover resembles to a “crater” after a volcano explosion. More hikers and travellers come to experience this unique landscape.
st
tre
V EGETABLES P RODUCTION
es
&
sh
ru
mb
s
flo
od
ab
le
pa
stu
re
lan
d
TH
E
CR
AT
ER
20 10
Wild Life | Phase 3
0m
0m
0m
extraction front
infertile deposit
deposit-storage
compost
ENRICH ORGANIC MATTER er fodd
manure
organic fertilizer
deposit
bioswales
FORM SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM INCREASE BIODIVERSITY retention C OLLECT B IOMASS FOREST MAINTENANCE
-
FIRE PROTECTION ZONES
I NCREASE O RGANIC
The widening of the riverbeds slow down the flow of water INTRODUCE ENERGY CROPS and capture the lignite sediments, while there is pumped biomass area. At the same water flowing from the active excavation rotation / tillage / rest time strategies for the enrichment of the organic matter in the external deposit are realised. soil biodiversity
M ATTER
PREVENT ACID MINE DRAINAGE
S ILVOPASTORAL S YSTEM
PLANT SHRUBS , TREES
&
HERBAGE
P URIFICATION OF W ATER COLLECT LIGNITE SEDIMENTS
exposed sulphur
The Valley
last excavation lines L IMIT
The area is located between the West external deposit and the open pit Marathousa, in the area where the PPC (Public Power Corporation) plans to divert the river Alpheus. The diversion plays a significant role to the proposal, as it focuses more to the purification of the water due to mining activity and the reuse of it for the energy production processes.
OF THE
O PEN P IT
WEST EXPANSION OF
A CTIVE O PEN P IT
M ARATHOUSA
WEST EXPANSION OF
OPEN PIT
M ARATHOUSA
OPEN PIT
20 10
Collecting | Phase 2
0m
0m
0m
The diversion of the river started and part of the soil extracted due to the process is distributed to the area where top soil is stored.
R EFORESTATION
T OP S OIL S EPARATION
R IVER D IVERSION
pu
Diverting | Phase 1
ing
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Conclusions The questionable future of a brown coal mining area projects many challenges and threats. This transition towards the post-mining era also requires a change on the mindset of the residents and the visitors.The image of an area widely known as an intensively industrialized and degraded place changes gradually in time as a multiplicity of uses and publics are coming together. Recreational, cultural and productive composing elements co-exist in the center of Megalopolis basin. “…the balance between different poles is a planning challenge, as developing post-mining landscapes always means dealing with a lost home : how much history does the new landscape need? What elements and ordering principles will be taken up again, which will be reinterpreted, which complemented? ” (IBA FurstPuckler-Land 2000 – 2010) The history of the future of a post-mining territory is inscribed into the phasing and the systemic character of the project. Elements of different phases structure a multilayered landscape that shapes the future of the region. The continuous relation between the city and its productive territory is reformed through the years, but not interrupted. “This gives rise to a possible vision and therefore to a combined approach ‘through bricolage’ of the found elements, considered as a concrete formal universe that was modeled by juxtaposition or collage. This gives the discontinuity of the elements – at the various levels of complexity of their dimensions and contiguity – its own capacity as a structuring presence.”(Gregotti, 2009, p. 15)
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Fieldwork video â&#x20AC;&#x153;Small aircraft, and particularly the helicopter, provide an even more divine relation to the land then the automobile. It is possible to describe, it resembles a map or a scale model, and it partakes of the immediacy of the land in a performanceâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? (Corboz, 1983)
On the right: Video recording points during fieldwork 05/09/2015 and 08/09/2015_ Drone footage locations on map
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