Completing the shutdown of the coal-powered railway along the Blue Sea coastline
The Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route is a unique and significant attraction in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. This 160-kilometer cross-border cycling route offers an immersive exploration of the region's landscape, shaped by coal mining and post-mining water bodies.
The route, part of the cycling infrastructure plan in Saxony-Anhalt, showcases the unique "lake landscapes" that have resulted from the flooding of former coal mining areas. It promotes tourism, regional identity, and ecological transformation of former industrial sites, providing a perfect blend of recreation and culture.
The Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route extends from the city of Wittenberg to the Leipzig Neuseenland region, with the economic path at the Blue Lake and the Hochkippenweg section being particularly noteworthy. These sections, which form a significant part of the route, have been constructed with approximately 1.1 million euros and focus on mining and industrial culture.
The construction work on these sections, as well as the funding for the entire Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route, came from the Coal Regions Investment Act. This Act, a part of EU and German funding mechanisms, is designed to support structural change in coal-dependent regions, financing projects that boost sustainable infrastructure, tourism, and economic development after coal phase-out.
Dr. Jürgen Ude, State Secretary, inaugurated a 2.5-kilometer extension of the Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route in Burgkemnitz, which he described as more than just an infrastructure project. The completed extension is a visible symbol of the successful structural transformation in the region.
The Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route is also part of the Master Plan for Tourism in Saxony-Anhalt 2020, demonstrating an integrated approach to energy transition. This approach supports local communities by repurposing former coal landscapes for new economic and social uses, creating green and attractive recreational spaces that combine culture, environment, and tourism.
In summary, the Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route is a testament to the transformative power of sustainable development in coal-dependent regions. It serves as a model for other regions undergoing similar transitions, offering a unique blend of culture, environment, and tourism that redefines the region's identity and fosters economic growth.
- The Coal Steam Light Lakes Cycling Route, funded mainly by the Coal Regions Investment Act, encapsulates the environmental science and finance aspects of sustainable transformation in coal-dependent regions.
- The science industry also plays a significant role in the route's construction, with sections like the economic path at the Blue Lake and the Hochkippenweg showcasing mining and industrial culture.
- As part of the Master Plan for Tourism in Saxony-Anhalt 2020, the route's environmental-science focus on repurposing former coal landscapes is instrumental in the integration of transportation and local community development.
