Just Transition Platform project fiche : C-MINE reuse project : turning a former coal mine into a creative hub

The region of Limburg, and the city of Genk in particular, have a rich history of coal extraction. Indeed, during the 20th century, coal represented the economic raison d'etre of the area. The mining site at Winterslag interrupted operations in 1988, with dire consequences for the city. In the following decade, mobilisation started to find a new use to this vast site. This culminated in 2005 with the inauguration of C-mine, a hybrid development project mixing both public and private resources to give new life to a space with a valuable cultural heritage. The reconversion of this mine was driven by a desire to form an artistic hotspot for visitors and professionals of the creative industry. One can differentiate the operations on campus based on the ultimate users of the services. On the one hand, citizens from Genk and abroad are welcomed to enjoy performing and visual arts installations and programmes. On the other hand, businesses can exploit their enviable location among a cluster of similarly creative firms. The proximity of these guarantees several opportunities for synergy; for example, students at the LUCA School of Arts located on the C-mine campus are often hired for internships and apprenticeships in the nearby companies.