The future of coal mining landscape in children´s imagination: Using drawings as a research tool in post-mining land use planning

The post-mining landscape restoration is a global challenge which involves many dilemmas and arouses land use conflicts. While the potential of natural succession and the importance of participatory planning have been emphasized, the voices of local stakeholders - particularly the young generation - remain absent from decision-making processes. This study addresses this gap by exploring how children aged 6–12 living near a large surface coal mine envision the future of landscape, using drawings as a research method. Based on visual content analysis of 46 images, we examine the diversity of children's preferences and their alignment with adult-oriented plans. The pictures reveal a wide spectrum of ideas, from low-intervention natural landscapes to highly anthropogenic designs featuring waterparks, or housing developments. Statistically significant differences were observed between younger and older children, with older ones showing a greater preference for natural landscapes. Children’s visions were influenced by existing local features yet also expressed imaginative alternatives beyond conventional planning frameworks. The study demonstrates the methodological value of using drawings to map spatial perceptions and highlights the potential for meaningful child participation in post-mining land use, thus rather than dismissing children’s ideas as unrealistic, planners should consider their contributions as legitimate and insightful.