Towards a more just post-coal future: Engaging local communities in post-mining landscape restoration through participatory mapping methods

Abstract Although energy transition policies are expected to adhere to the principles of procedural, distributive, recognition, and restorative justice, there remains a significant gap in both practice and research regarding public participation in post-mining land-use planning. Using a case study of a closing open-cast mine in Most district, Czech Republic, drawing on responses from 101 local residents, we demonstrate the efficacy of combining a participatory mapping approach with statistical and spatial analysis to engage local stakeholders in the research. It also highlights the importance of integrating community perspectives and interests into landscape assessment and post-mining land-use planning. Adoption of the approaches and methods presented in this study can enable post-mining regeneration planners to understand better the sense of place, landscape values, and needs of local communities. This, in turn, can foster place-making on post-mining sites, help prevent land-use conflicts, and contribute to more just post-coal development.