rethinking wastescapes A STUDY OF RECLAIMED WASTE LANDSCAPES AND INDUSTRIAL FRAMEWORKS LAUREN DELBRIDGE
Rethinking Wastescapes A Study of Reclaimed Waste Landscapes and Industrial Frameworks 2019 Lauren Delbridge
Acknowledgments Many thanks to both LandDesign and the Landscape Architecture Foundation for supporting my ongoing work with waste landscapes and industrial sites to explore the future of coal ash pond remediation.
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TABLE OF C ONTENTS INTRODUCTION A Problem Close to Home
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How America is impacted by our own waste dilemmas
The Issue with Coal Ash Understanding why coal ash ponds are a critical problem in today’s America
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CASE STUDIES The Ruhr-Rhine Region The industrial history of the region
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Tetraeder + Halde beckstraße
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Nordstern Park
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Halde Rungenberg
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Halde Rheinelbe
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Zeche Zollverein
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Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord
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Tiger and Turtle – Magic Mountain
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:Metabolon Gardens of Technics
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A P P LY I N G S T R A T E G I E S
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IN 2017, OVER 111 MILLION TONS OF COAL ASH WERE PRODUCED IN THE US
Coal-fired power stations play a critical role in the production of electricity in the US. Coal is delivered to the power plant, coal is burned to turn water into steam, turbines spin the generators, electricity is created. Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. Since the dawn of coal-fired power stations, a stream of waste has been continuously growing. Coal ash, a sleeping giant, has been piling up, seeping into the earth and groundwater systems of surrounding communities. As coal is burned to produce electricity, non combustible byproducts are
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Photo by Nenad Zivkovic
A PROBLEM CLOSE TO HOME
collected from the stack and boiler, water is added, and the slurry is piped into pits in the landscape. Historically, coal ash has been stored in unlined intrusions in the landscape. Commonly referred to as coal ash ponds, these waste sites are contained by earthen dams. Without a liner, the liquefied coal ash can seep into groundwater. The earthen dams are continuously threatened by storms, flooding, and engineering failure. These ponds are an unstable form of containment.
Nearly every state in the US is affected by a coal ash site. In Charlotte, North Carolina, there are three coal-fired power plants with coal ash ponds within 30 miles from my home. Even more troubling is the fact that two of these power plants and their respective ash ponds are on the banks of lakes that supply the city of Charlotte’s drinking water. Designated by the EPA as high hazard coal ash ponds, these ponds are a threat to the city’s water supply; a story shared by many towns and cities across the nation [1].
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THE ISSUE WITH COAL ASH
Kingston Fossil Plant Coal Ash Spill - 2008
As coal ash is left to rest in ponds, the problem comes from the heavy metals within the ash itself. As coal is burned, trace amounts of arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, and other metals remain in the ash. Coal-fired power plants are located along rivers and bodies of water, posing an even larger threat to water supplies. For decades, these coal ash ponds have gone relatively unnoticed by the public and media, allowing the waste and dangerous contents to seep and spill into surrounding communities and waterways.
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We have spent decades focusing on the carbon emissions of coal-fired power stations, but coal ash ponds pose an immediate threat. Coal ash was catapulted into the spotlight with two environmental disasters in the last 11 years. In 2008, a dam failure at Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant resulted in over 1 billion gallons of coal ash flooding the Emory River [2]. In 2014, a ruptured pipe at a North Carolina Duke Energy retired power plant sent over 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River [2]. These catastrophic events captured the attention of the EPA and led to long-awaited attempts to regulate coal ash ponds.
a new era for coal ash ponds
cap-in-place
In December 2014, the EPA set the first national standards for coal ash disposal. In addition to forcing significant or high hazard coal ash ponds into compliance, coal ash was also recognized as a “non-hazardous waste” [3]. The non-hazardous label allows states, and not the EPA, to be the enforcers of coal ash legislation. Ultimately, threatening coal ash ponds are being forced to close across the nation. Coal ash ponds are at a critical point of flux. Currently there are two widely accepted closure methods for coal ash ponds. The cap-in-place solution dewaters the ash in place, caps the waste with an impermeable geomembrane layer, and leaves the waste sealed in place [4]. The clean closure solution dewaters the ash, excavates the waste, and relocates the material to an engineered landfill [4].
clean closure
BOTH SOLUTIONS ARE ENGINEERED TO MINIMIZE SEEPAGE AND SPILLS, BUT THEY AREN’T CREATING SPACES WITH PEOPLE IN MIND. THESE ARE MINIMALLY DESIGNED LANDFILLS
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case studies 10 / RETHINKING WASTESCAPES
Although there are no precedent examples of transformed coal ash pond sites, there are global examples of creative waste disposal strategies and industrial remediation techniques. It is critical to take cues from how other countries are handling the byproducts of their power dependencies.
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GERMANY RHINE - RUHR
The Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region is the largest metropolitan region in Germany with over 10 million residents. The Ruhr region in particular is characterized by heavy industry, the economic driver for the area since the age of industrialization in the late 18th century. By 1850, there were nearly 300 coal mines in the Ruhr region, which continued to thrive until the worldwide economic crisis of 1973. At this point, easy to reach coal had been exhausted and German steel and similar products were no longer competitive. This region of Germany began a process of restructuring and industrial diversification which continues today as the last German black hard coal mine closed its doors in December of 2018 [5].
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GERMANY
Halde Beckstraße
Halde Rungenberg Nordstern Park
Landschaftspark
Halde Rheinelbe Zeche Zollverein
Tiger and Turtle
:Metabolon
Several regional efforts began to rethink the infrastructure and industrial landscapes that no longer actively provide a means of work for the people of the Ruhr. These efforts created avenues for funding projects to reenvision these leftover wastescapes from the industrial era of the past. IBA Emscher Park was a program for structural change from 1989 to 1999 to achieve a paradigm shift from the “rust belt” towards a green, modern and wealthy metropolitan area. This program was created
to remediate the landscape of the region, design parks and adventure areas, attract new businesses to job-needing cities, and revive the polluted water systems of the Ruhr. The region also actively participates in the European Capital of Culture initiatives to give special year-long designations to cities of the EU seeking an opportunity to revive their image and generate new cultural and ecological ideas for the future [6].
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Tetraeder
QUICK FACTS: site history: coal mining spoil tip use: recreation size: 80 m tall age: reclamation began in 1995 funded by IBA Emsherpark
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TETRAEDER + HALDE BECKSTRAßE BOTTROP, GERMANY ONE OF THE LARGEST SPOIL TIPS IN THE REGION - 387 STEPS TO REACH THE TOP, AND THEN THE CLIMB BEGINS.
Created by the neighboring Prosper-Haniel Mine, Halde beckstraße is a prominent landmark for Bottrop. The stockpile of mining waste was created from 1963 to 1980, and then overturned to the Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR). The RVR is the union of cities and districts in the Ruhr Metropolis responsible for state and regional planning. Funded by the IBA Emscherpark, this site was transformed into a recreation desitination with a sculptural identity [6]. Visible from the nearby A 42, this landform catches the passerby’s eye and immediately draws your attention to the 60m tall Tetraeder. This spoil tip encourages far more than admiration from afar. Visitors can ascend the tip via gentle spiraling paths or a direct flight of stairs. The summit offers panoramic views of the Ruhr region, but you can ascend the suspended stairways of Tetraeder for an even more fantastic experience.
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As you ascend the spoil tip, you get a better understanding of how the landscape has naturally reclaimed this waste pile. The site was minimally planted and has been allowed to grow over time since it was established as a park. Halde beckstraĂ&#x;e is both a local and regional destination offering trail opportunities for walking, running, biking, and exploring The neighboring Prosper-Haniel mine, Germany’s last black hard coal mine, formally closed in December of 2018, signaling the end of an era for Bottrop and Germany [7].
de sign strategie s Strategies at play to transform this spoil tip into a local and regional recreation destination:
Landscape Succession Vegetation has been allowed to organically establish itself on the site
Sculptural Identity An art installment gives the spoil tip an identity of its own
Trails to Encourage Discovery Trails meander and allow visitors to chart their own path
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of the former Prosper-Haniel Colliery after climbing the 400-step monumental staircase to the peak of the spoil tip.
2. Views of Tetraeder from within the birch tree grove at the summit.
3. Panoramic views of the central Ruhr Valley from the 50m tall steel ‘Tetraeder’ construction.
4. Panoramic views of the central Ruhr Valley from the 50m tall steel ‘Tetraeder’ construction.
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NORDSTERN PARK GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY FORMER COAL MINE TURNED RECREATION HUB FOR THE REGION
Nordstern park is created on the site of a closed coal mine, with carefully restored and modernized colliery buildings. The mine was closed in 1993 and was transformed in 1997 for the National Garden Show. This transformation was an incredible illustration of how industrial sites can be reclaimed. The site was then slated to become Norstern Park, an important node of the Emscher Landscape Park [6]. The site works to blend the present with the past with IT, engineering, and logistics companies occupying buildings formally filled with miners preparing for shifts in the mine shafts. The park also embraces the Emscher and Rhine-Herne canal, reconnecting neighborhood fabrics that have long been separated by the water. Directly adjacent to the canal is an amphitheater for audiences of up to 6,000, an impressive venue for regional performances and events [8].
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Kinderland
Rhine-Herne Canal QUICK FACTS: Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen
site history: coal mine use: recreation, business, culture age: reclamation began in 1997
Emscher
Recreated Mining Tunnel
Office Campus
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In addition to creating a campus for technology and innovation, Nordstern park is a recreational destination. There are opportunities for all ages: ‘Kinderland’ - adventure playground and jungle gym
de sign strategie s Strategies used to transform this mining site into a recreation center for the region:
Educational Experience
Beach volleyball courts
Interactive exhibits explore the sites coal mining history
Extensive trails for walking and biking
Technology Hub
Imaginatively designed water landscape
Office space acts as an innovation center for the region
Halden Park - Walking trails and climbing walls built upon one of the sites spoil tips
Recreation Variety of recreation opportunities for all ages
Encourages the Arts/Performance Venues and open spaces for events and concerts
Embraces the Water Sculptural bridges connect neighborhoods over the canals
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of one of the site’s spoil tips and the Hercules statue, erected on the tower in 2010 as a symbolic tribute to miners.
2. One of the sculptural bridges that spans the Emscher.
3. One of the tree-lined axes running though the park.
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education Nordstern Park has made an effort to preserve the history of the site and immerse visitors in mining culture. A mining tunnel was recreated on site to resemble the tunnels that workers mined decades before. This tunnel is full of tools, uniforms, stories, and photographs that are carefully explained by volunteers who once worked these mines. Visitors are able to learn first-hand what it meant to operate these tunnels, and the importance of mining coal for their own livelihood.
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Entry to the mining tunnel and mining exhibitions; Photo of my own tour guides in the mining tunnel who were thrilled to share their stories with an American guest; Vertical gardens built on existing industrial framework; A walk through the dense grid of vertical gardens, The iconic sculptural bridge spanning the Rhine-Herne canal
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Hugo Mine
QUICK FACTS: site history: coal mining spoil tip use: local recreation size: 115 m tall age: reclamation began in 1992
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Schungelberg Colliery Housing
HALDE RUNGENBERG GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY NEIGHBORHOOD SPOIL TIP FOR THE REVITALIZED COILLERY HOUSING ESTATE
Halde Rungenberg is fully integrated into the community fabric of the Gelsenkerchen district of Buer. Once a vibrant housing development for the miners of the Hugo/ Ewald colliery, the neighborhood to the north of the spoil tip is working to blend modern architecture and ideas with buildings and relics of the past [6]. By ascending either the staircase or spiraling paths to the peak of the tip, you are greeted with expansive views and a serene walk through sculptural mounds. The two pyramids atop the spoil tip are a play on the form of waste sites in the region, This tip was manipulated to have multiple shapes; conical, table-top, and gentle hills - ultimately creating a unique spoil tip form of its own.
Sculptural Pyramids at Peak
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WHEN SHORT ON TIME, THE NEIGHBORHOOD PATH LEADS DIRECTLY TO THE STAIRCASE TO THE TOP OF THE TIP
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of the 300-step staircase to climb to the peak of Halde Rungenberg
2. Two sculptural spotlights adorn the pyramids atop the spoil tip. These are part of an illuminated art exhibit “Nachtziechen”
3. Panoramic views of Gelsenkirchen.
4. Views across the spoil tip toward a more heavily vegetated region of the site.
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Halde Rungenberg has been reclaimed by vegetation with small trees, shrubs, and grasses. Some plants even dare to establish on the bald pyramids atop the soil tip. With relatively low vegetation, you are granted panoramic views from all of the highest points of this tip. The sculptural pyramids even allow you to interact directly with the coal waste material. Visitors are encouraged to walk though the rubble, climb on the rocky hills, and touch the overburden that formed the landscape.
de sign strategie s Strategies used to create a valuable neaighboorhood green space and landmark:
Landscape Succession Vegetation has been allowed to organically establish itself on the site
Sculptural Identity An art installment gives the spoil tip an identity of its own
Trails to Encourage Discovery Trails meander and allow visitors to chart their own path
Integration with Community Nestled into nearby neighborhood to act as a local park
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HALDE RHEINELBE + HIMMELSTREPPE GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY SPIRALING PATHS LEAD THROUGH THE FOREST TO AN OTHERWORLDLY CONICAL MOUND
On the site of the former Rheinelbe mine, this spoil tip was formed to peak out from woods to provide unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. While ascending the spoil tip, the cone at the peak is barren, devoid of vegetation, and crowned with a massive sculpture. “Himmelstreppe” (Stairway to Heaven) is made of stones mined locally and has become a regional landmark. Halde Rheinelbe is a recreational space for nearby neighborhoods looking for a space to walk, run, bike, and take photos. Relics from sites past can be found incorporated into sculptures along the trails throughout the site North of the spoil tip is an industrial woodland, one of 17 sites in the Ruhr focused on the creation and study of industrial forests [6].
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Skulpturenwald Rheinelbe
Himmelstreppe
QUICK FACTS: site history: coal mining spoil tip use: recreation size: xx ac + 80 m tall age: reclamation began in 1990s
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de sign strategie s Strategies used to create an iconic landmark and sculptural experience:
Industrial Woodland The site builds upon the industrial forest north of the tip with a forested trail leading to the summit
Sculptural Identity An art installment gives the spoil tip an identity of its own
Historical Art Walk Relics form the site’s past have been reused to create a sculpture walk
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of the conical peak with Himmelstreppe monumental sculpture.
2. Historical relics incorporated into sculptural elements along trails.
3. Staircase leading to Himmelstreppe sculpture.
4. Panoramic views of the region from the foot of Himmelstreppe.
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QUICK FACTS: site history: coal mine industrial complex use: recreation, history, arts age: reclamation began in 2005
Zollverein Coking Plant
Ruhr Museum
Zollverein Pithead 32 / RETHINKING WASTESCAPES
ZECHE ZOLLVEREIN Red Dot Museum
ESSEN, GERMANY ONCE A THRIVING COAL MINE AND COKING PLANT, NOW A SITE FOCUSED ON CULTURE, ART, AND HISTORY
The Zollverein coal mine began production in 1932 with a workforce of over 5,000, followed 30 years later by the opening of the adjacent coking plant. The colliery closed in 1986, the coking plant in 1993, and the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002 [6]. Zollverein is now known for culture, art, and its focus on history. The washing plant is now home to the Ruhr Museum, filled with a blend of natural and cultural history. The Red Dot Design Museum contains the world’s largest collection of contemporary art. PACT Zollverein hosts avant-garde performances and exhibits.
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While visitors come for the history and culture presented on site, the unique landscape, trails, and elevated paths encourage guests to explore the site for themselves. Past rail tracks have been transformed into walking trails and planting beds while industrial raised walkways are open for public use. Despite the heavy industry that occurred on site, the complex has been reclaimed by both nature and people to build a buzzing regional and global destination. As part of the Ruhr Museum, Zollverein has opened up processing rooms, machinery, and towers to the public via guided tours. These tours cover different aspect of the site and allow guests an inside view of the coal complex.
de sign strategie s Strategies used to turn this industrial campus into a cultural hub and heritage site:
Celebration of History Tours and museums pay homage to the history of the colliery and coking plant
Creates a Space for the Arts Museums, performance venues, and exhibit spaces give the arts a space to thrive
Trails to Encourage Discovery Trails throughout the site allow visitors to discover hidden gems around the campus
Cultural Destination Restaurants, shops, and markets take over repurposed halls and outdoor spaces
Designed Infrastructure Existing industrial relics are left as is or reinvigorated for new modern uses
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of the iconic 55m tall twin pithead gear (mechanism used to lower miners/coal into and out of the mines).
2. Existing railroad track transformed into one of many trails through the site.
3. View down the length of the coking plant; this linear shallow pool transitions into an ice skating rink in the winter.
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM Outdoor gathering and dining space for several of the shops, restaurants, and cafes on site.
Industrial framework of Zollverein’s past remain as landmarks of a previous era.
A small nook under an elevated walkway with a swing for guests of all ages.
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tours | history + site: Nature, Culture, and History of the Ruhr Area Portal of Industrial Heritage Monument Path Zollverein About Coal and Miners Through Coke Oven and Bench Gallery Family Shift The Coking Plant for Young and Old
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM View of the Zollverein pithead from the roof of the coal washery during a guided tour; The tour group discussing the various spoil tips visible in the skyline; Guided tour exploring the coal screening and washing plant; The entry into the Ruhr Museum
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Blast Furnace 5
LANDSCHAFTSPARK DUISBURG-NORD DUISBURG, GERMANY OLD IRONWORKS THAT NOW WELCOMES OVER 700,000 YEARLY VISITORS
From 1901 to 1985, the Thyssen ironworks produced pig-iron. Following the closure of the industrial site, a design and planning process began to re-envision the site as a park, pushing the boundaries of the traditional ideas of park spaces. Of the designs submitted for the site, Latz+Partner was selected to lead the design with a concept that valued the history and infrastructure existing on the site. In 1991 the transformation began to build Landschaftspark, which has evolved into a global destination and precedent project for the transformation of derelict industrial sites [9]. Landschaftspark pays particular attention to the history of the site - guests are greeted with the overwhelming size of the ironworks tower upon arrival. The existing buildings on site were maintained and updated for new uses, while much of the existing industrial framework was integrated into the landscape experience.
Diving Tank 38 / RETHINKING WASTESCAPES
QUICK FACTS: Bunkers
site history: ironworks use: recreation age: reclamation began in 1991
Alt Emscher
Indoor Skatepark
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Landschaftspark was created to remediate the degraded industrial site, celebrate the heritage of the industrial processes, create a cultural hub, and serve as a recreation destination. This multipurpose park hosts events, exhibits, and conferences while also educating guests with tours, trails, and signage. Most importantly, the park offers recreational opportunities unlike any other. The site is woven together by walking, jogging, and biking paths to encourage exploration of all corners of the industrial landscape. Landschaftspark also has elevated walkways and balconies to explore, bunker walls turned climbing walls, and a diving pool in a former storage tank.
de sign strategie s Strategies used to create a lively park within an ironworks complex:
Unique Recreation Opportunities Reuse of industrial features to create climbing walls, scuba diving pools, and bike trails
Connection to Water Use of water to cleanse, creation of waterfront for visitors to explore
Trails to Encourage Discovery Guests can travel by foot or bike to all corners of the park
Cultural Destination Serves as a key venue for events, exhibits, and conferences
Education of Site History Use of signage, exhibits, and tours to share the history of the ironworks
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of 70m tall Blast Furnace 5 from the upper platform.
2. Industrial relics encourage exploration.
3. Old bunker walls transformed into climbing practice walls for aspiring mountaineers.
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landscape experience Intentional decisions were made to manipulate the existing industrial fabric to create experiences for visitors. Bunkers are used to create climbing opportunities, adventure playgrounds, and educational opportunities where guests can view projected videos that explain the processed that once happened in the space. Walkways and trails are also carefully designed to bring guests up existing elevated walkways and platforms, yet keeping them at a distance from degraded soils and toxins. Contaminated soils are handled carefully and contained in bunkers to be treated with phytoremediation strategies.
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Landschaftspark creates a landscape worth exploring. The networks of trails lead you different nooks and crannies of the site: expansive fields, tadpole filled bunkers, shaded secret gardens, and water platforms. There is no predetermined route to explore the site, which is perhaps why Landschaftspark is such a noteworthy destination.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Carefully cut pedestrian walkways through thick bunker walls; A visitor sunbathing on one of the platforms overlooking the Alte Emscher; An elevated walkway overlooking the remediation bunkers and secret garden; Bunkers containing the contaminated soils on site; A portion of expansive trails following the rail lines
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Rhine River QUICK FACTS: site history: zinc spoil tip use: recreation age: reclamation began in 2010 funded by Cultural Capital of Europe RUHR.2010 and private donors
Tiger and Turtle Sculpture 44 / RETHINKING WASTESCAPES
TIGER AND TURTLE – MAGIC MOUNTAIN DUISBURG, GERMANY A SCULPTURAL STAIRCASE ATOP A ZINC SPOIL TIP REPRESENTS CHANGE IN THE REGION
This zinc spoil tip acts as an eclectic destination, most notable for the ‘Tiger and Turtle’ sculpture that sits atop the peak. Trails spiral to the peak of the tip from the surrounding neighborhoods and parks and to overlook the industrial lanscape along the Rhine River. After spiraling to the peak, visitors can began the climb up the winding staircase designed by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth made of zinc and steel from local mining operations [10].
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249 STEPS OVERLOOKING THE WESTERN RUHR
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of the zinc spoil tip and ‘Tiger and Turtle’.
2-4. Views of the sweeping staircase attracting visitors at all hours of the day.
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Supposedly representing the opposing forces of tiger and turtle, the statue symbolizes the deadlock of change in the region. As the city grapples with the inevitable evolution of industry, this landscape illustrates the potential for disruptive change.
de sign strategie s Strategies at play to transform this spoil tip into a local and regional landmark:
Sculptural Identity Sculptural staircase has become a destination of its own
Trails to Encourage Discovery Spiraling trails invite guests to explore the site
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:METABOLON GARDENS OF TECHNICS LINDLAR, GERMANY RECREATION , PLAY, AND LEARNING COMBINE TO BUILD A ‘TRANSPARENT LANDFILL’ Mountain Bike Track
:Metabolon was revitalized into the waste management/recreation area that exists today as part of a larger effort to rethink the way waste is maintained. As part of the Regionale 2010, the project aims to find answers to important quesitons: How do we sustainably handle our resources? What are the trends in maste management that will occur over the next few decades? How can landfills be redeveloped and revitalized? The site that came about as a result of these questions seemlessly blends recreation, play, and learning to make the mission of :Metabolon clear to all who visit [11].
Education Center
Children’s Play Area 48 / RETHINKING WASTESCAPES
110m Slide Landfill Peak
QUICK FACTS: site history: MSW landfill use: recreation, education, play age: reclamation began in 2010 funded by Regionale 2010
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The site is focused on five pillars: the Bergisch Energy Competence Centre, the place of learning, the research community, a sustainable industrial estate as well as leisure, recreation and culture. While the educational opportunities attract both kids and scholars, the recreational aspects of the site have made :Metabolon a regional destination. :Metabolon places great value on their site serving people, not just waste. An important goal of the project was to create a space for play, experience, and adventure.
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de sign strategie s Strategies used to transform this landfill into a space for people
Education for All Ages Both active and passive educational features on site to teach visitors about the processes occurring on site
Diverse Recreation Opportunities Incorporation of many different recreation elements for all abilities
Encourage Play Site is made to be playful and whimsical
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM 1. View of the ascent up the :Metabolon landfill.
2. Sculptural trash walls explain the contents of the MSW landfill
3. Kid’s play area at the foot of the landfill adjacent to the on-site cafe
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Each step to the landfill summit is carefully numbered; The playful trampolines in the dramatic peak of the landfill; The view back down the landfill toward the education center; One of the slides that winds its way down the slope of the landfill
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recreation + pl ay There are diverse recreation offering on site with varying levels of adventure. Cycling and hiking trails cover the site, even including a mountain bike trail. The other path on site leads directly up the landfill 348 m above sea level. On their ascent, visitors have the option to learn via garbage can exhibits, stop and sit in deck chairs, or play on slides, one with a length of 110 m. At the peak of the landfill, guests can leap on trampolenes and enjoy panoramic views [11].
:Metabolon makes an effort to engage all ages throughout the site. Through both education and experience, visitors leave with a better understanding of the landfill processes and hope for the future of waste management.
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applying strategies 54 / RETHINKING WASTESCAPES
Now is the time to think innovatively about coal ash ponds and the potential future of these sites. As ponds across the US are being forced to close, we should be pushing beyond an engineered solution. There is a growing amount of research surrounding the reuse and recycling of coal ash; however, the majority of coal ash is still disposed of in a coal ash pond or landfill.
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ARTFUL WASTESCAPE
experiencial landforms Above is an exploration of creative landfill strategies to build an iconic landscape. While landfills will most effectively contain heavy metals, they should be designed for human interaction. Creative landfilling strategies would allow visitors to interact with the landforms in ways that tradition landfills do not.
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REMEDIATED ECOLOGIES
e xperimental pl anting Above is an exploration of in-situ remediation techniques to recreate habitats for species long forgotten on site. Coal ash contains organic matter suitable for experimental planting. Elevated walkways would allow visitors to explore contaminated areas of the site undergoing phytoremediaiton.
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references [1] Coal Combustion Residuals Impoundment Assessment Reports. PDF. EPA, June 24, 2016. [2] “Coal Ash Disasters.” Appalachian Voices. Accessed March 10, 2019. http://appvoices.org/ coalash/disasters/. [3] “Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities.” EPA. March 13, 2019. Accessed April 15, 2019. https://www.epa.gov/coalash/coalash-rule. [4] Larson, Aaron. “Coal Combustion Residuals Rule Compliance Strategies.” POWER Magazine. 31 May 2016. Accessed 15 September, 2016. http://www. powermag.com/coal-combustion-residuals-rulecompliance-strategies/. [5] Walter, Guntram. “Industriekultur.” Metropole Ruhr, October 2, 2018. http://www.routeindustriekultur.ruhr/. [6] Emscher Landscape Park Visitor Guide. PDF. Metropole Ruhr, July 10, 2013.
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