Spatial transformation of decommissioned coal mines areas - case study of coal mine “Katowice”

In Poland, for over 30 years, measures have been taken to adapt post-industrial areas, especially those related to mining. One of the crucial areas that needed to be developed was the site of the decommissioned Coal Mine “Katowice”, located in the heart of the Upper Silesian capital. Today, about 56.5% of these areas are redevelop and known as “Cultural Zone”. On the one hand, this example shows how difficult it was to move from concepts to their implementation. On the other hand, it shows how the lack of a unified concept and spontaneous actions can partially lose the site's potential, despite relative success. This work presents the whole process of planning and transforming the postmining areas of the CoalMine “Katowice” - from the concept to the planning phase and implementation. Due to the specificity of the research subject and the need for multilevel analysis of dynamic spatial and economic changes in a long-term perspective, the research used: a query of archival, library materials and legal acts, an analysis of plans, project, planning documentation and mine closure programs, cartographic research, field research and photographic inventories.