marble paradise
project description
Criando um paraíso de mármore
Creating a marble paradise
We propose to upgrade one of the abandoned marble quarries near to the centre of Estremoz towards a public garden and use it for several purposes:
- culture: sculptures garden, theatre and other cultural events,…,
- education on geology, ecology, history, environment, sustainable development, arts, ….
- information on marble: quarrying, applications, products, …
- leisure: sightseeing, strolling, picnicking, …..
By bringing these activities together in a public garden a broad public will be attracted. This “Marble Paradise” will be unique in its kind and a great promotion on an international scale for both Estremoz, the region and the marble sector.
In addition, the Marble Paradise will be the centre point of “marble tours” (guided and non-guided) for walking, cycling and cars.
A side project, to be developed independently, is to renovate the oldest marble factory of Portugal, located in the Marble Paradise, and give it a new application.
We propose to develop the Marble Paradise step by step, in a way that already after the first step an attractive park will be realised.
Financing of the project will partly be “in-kind” and partly by support of regional, National and European funds.
Apart from attracting visitors the project aims at contributing to several societal and economic goals on the local and regional scale:
- it upgrades a notable entry of the city from an abandoned industrial location into a prestigious and attractive park. This adds value to the surroundings of that park and to the image of the town in general,
- it honours the past of that location as well as the many locals who worked in that or other quarries,
- It contributes to safeguarding water supply for the city,
- It solves a public safety risk and reduces environmental pollution,
- It catalyses initiatives that rejuvenate the spirit of the town and the region,
- It acts as a source of inspiration for giving new meanings to other abandoned quarries and abandoned industrial zones,
- It contributes to the profit and societal acceptance of the marble sector.
Introduction
The marble region in East Alentejo has four hundred quarries of which three hundred are abandoned for economical reasons, leaving behind not only a memory of greatness, but also a desolate, often dangerous hole surrounded by rusty mining equipment, marble waste and illegal garbage. Several abandoned quarries, however, have an incredible beauty due to its unique shape, lively colours, peaceful silence and unexpected natural elements.
We analysed a large number of abandoned quarries to find the best one for hosting the Marble Paradise. The analysis was based on criterions on three integration levels: see below. Our conclusion was that the San Antonio quarry in Estremoz is the best for hosting the Marble Paradise.
Criterions for the park itself were aesthetic beauty, options for walking paths and bella vistas, presence of specific highlights (e.g. historic, geological), accessibility for public and private transport, vicinity of an attractive town, and degrees of freedom for future developments.
Criterions for the park in relation to its direct surroundings were coherence with the urban and rural planning, improving quality of life in the neighbourhood, and the park being a trigger for other activities and initiatives in that surroundings.
Criterions for the park in relation to its wider surroundings were contributing to economic prosperity of the marble sector and of the region in general, contributing to a positive image and creating a unique selling point for the hosting town and its surroundings, and inspiring new applications for abandoned quarries and abandoned industrial zones.
Concept and general intentions on the park design
First of all the Marble paradise will be a place for leisure: picnicking, enjoying the intriguing view inside the quarry and the wide views over the surrounding. Secondly it will be a place for information, especially on marble. And thirdly it is a place for exhibitions and cultural events in a unique ambience.
We will transform the quarry into a thematic park in the awareness that it is crucial to acknowledge what the place meant and still means to people who worked there. We but will preserve part of its identity and history, by keeping part of the existing built structures, as a reference to the past and give them a new meaning. But is not a museum. It also focuses on the future: on new marble applications, on innovations and on environmental issues.
The intention is accentuating the character of the place with the lake in the middle and the Marble Factory at the edge as fascinating landmarks. Also the big vertical marble walls and the remarkable amorphous rocks will mark the memory of the visitor.
A prestigious futuristic entrance will set the tone. The 10-m3 blocks of marble will be rearranged according to a garden architectural design.
Sightseeing will be an activity that largely determines the appreciation of the visitor. Very important therefore are the view points, picnic places, benches in the shadow and so on. Most paths will be suitable for wheelchairs and lead to spectacular viewpoints, while some are with stairs and descent to intriguing spots inside the pit of the quarry.
Information on marble is a central issue in this garden. It gets a prominent and attractive place without being offensive.
One part of the Marble paradise will be used by marble sculptors in a way that step by step a unique sculptures garden will be created.
Some parts around the quarry lake have already the shape, visibility and acoustics to be used as stage for theatre events. Little adaptation (especially safety measures) is needed to receive actors and spectators.
An independent side project is the renovation of a prestigious ancient marble factory located at the edge of the quarry on a magnificent viewpoint. It is in bad shape but will be renovated step by step. A face lift is planned in the first phase and a thorough renovation in the second and third phase.
After renovation the building can be used as art gallery, educational centre, show room, theatre or restaurant. A grand avenue will lead from the entrance to the ancient marble factory.
Estremoz marble
Portugal is one of the worlds’ largest producers of marble and the marble of Estremoz anticline, a geological structure of 40 km long and 6 km wide, is well-known all over the world.
The marble of this region has been exploited since Roman times and up to the 1980th the marble sector was a very dominant sector in the region. Due to low global market prices for crude material and increasing processing costs, the marble sector faces a low tide with a duration that is difficult to predict. The Estremoz anticline has 400 quarries of which 300 are abandoned. The marble sector itself expects to increase this number up to 350 in the near future. Some are abandoned because they are exhausted, but most have still marble, but are not profitable for further exploiting as long as the market price does not increase.
The marble quarrying activities are very visible in the landscape and cause two different perceptions. On one hand, it has created a landscape that is disliked by many because of its enormous waste mountains that seem to be out of public control. But on the other hand, it impresses many others by its powerful appearance and its in-comparability in size and form. It symbolizes the pride of an economic activity that is crucial for the region.
Both the marble sector and regional society are changing due to globalisation and economy. The Marble Paradise gives attention to the societal involvement of the marble sector.
The park will be a perfect example of a post-industrial landscape and will become one of the leaders in Europe in developing this type of landscape.
The location
The San Antonio quarry in Estremoz, also named Olival San Antonio, contains still high quality marble, even near to surface level. It is abandoned because the production costs were too high, especially because the pit has a strong well: the costs of pumping the water out have become too high. All cranes and other technical infrastructure have been taken away after abandoning, making it very costly and unlikely that the quarry-activities will start up again even if the market price for marble increases.
The owner of the San Antonio quarry: Pardal Monteiro - Marmore, got bankrupted in 2008 after more than 150 years of marble quarrying. The BANIF bank does the debt repayment. It tried to sell the quarry by auction but did not receive any bid. This is probably because a new owner is forced by law to restart marble quarrying (while there is no indication that this can become profitable), or to implement the demands of CCDR-A. The CCDR-A demanded the owner to realize specified safety, security and environmental actions for the location. The Marble Paradise project includes the fulfillment of these demands.
Urban planning in the neighborhood
Currently, the San Antonio quarry is part of a small industrial zone. BATANETE is its direct neighbor. Recently, the municipality bought this property and use it for storing building material.
Apart from BATANETE, the San Antonio quarry is surrounded by a cemetery, an abandoned convent, an active marble quarry, two marble workshops and some other small enterprises, some private houses, a sports school, a big supermarket, an olive orchard with a farmhouse.
By buying BATANETE the municipality may well have initiated a transition of that neighborhood towards more urban and less industrial applications. If so, the marble paradise fits perfectly in this transition.
Water from the quarry
Another issue is water. The San Antonio quarry is within a zone that is qualified of having high hydro geological vulnerability (Alta Vulnerabilidade Hidrogeológica). The San Antonio quarry is even in a part that is assumed to need extra protection because of its aquifers and the application for domestic water supply (Protecção Alargada (aquíferos), Rede de abastecimento de agua). In the past years the municipality of Estremoz extracted water from the lake in the San Antonio quarry because its own sources did not function sufficiently any more (possibly because of the deep water extraction by the marble quarries in the surroundings). Even although the extraction by the municipality is based on an informal gentleman’s agreement with an owner that got bankrupted in 2008 (and the new owner: the BANIF bank is not aware of this agreement), it is crucial for the population of Estremoz that this possibility continues to exist for the years to come, until Estremoz is connected to larger supply systems: two large artificial lakes. The Marble Paradise project has included this need of Estremoz in its goals. The project is certainly a better guarantee for protecting quantity and quality of the water than in the current situation of being in fact a no-man’s land with lots of illegal dumping of urban and industrial waste. Also after connection to the artificial lakes Estremoz may well need a water reservoir near to town for emergency reasons. Also this application is included in the project goals.
Suitability of San Antonio quarry for Marble Paradise
The San Antonio quarry is best suited for the Marble Paradise and is probably unique in the world for a combination of reasons:
· The quarry itself:
o Its size: around 6 hectares, is optimal for the Marble Paradise.
o It has a lake of 1 hectare that is fed by a strong well. It creates an image of natural wealth and gives coolness in the hottest period of the year. It attracts birds and frogs whose sounds echo between the marble walls. The lake is surrounded by several platforms that could be used with little adaptation for theatre.
o The quarry has structures that are both scenic and a showcase for information on geology. The rocks and walls in the quarry are of superb quality for sculpting.
o The quarry includes the remains of one of the oldest quarries (14th century) and the oldest marble factory of Portugal (19th century). The location has the potential to be a monument of industrial heritage, but is in bad shape. It poses a severe risk until a new owner takes safety measures.
o The location has an abandoned railway track that in the past the Marble Factory connected by railway to Vila Viçosa, Estremoz and Évora. Initiatives to revitalize the track for touristic reasons have failed. To convert it into an ecopista (walking, jogging and cycling path) is a plan that is waiting for better times. In all cases the Marble Paradise will give attention to this railway track.
o A substantial part of the necessary infrastructure (tap water, electricity, sanitary systems) is already available in part of the quarry.
Its accessibility;
o The quarry is extraordinary well connected to Lisbon and Spain by the A6 highway and the N4 national road.
o The bus station of Estremoz, that receives express busses from a wide region, is on 10 minutes walking from the park.
o A spacious parking place is opposite the main entrance.
Its direct surroundings;
o The city centre of Estremoz is on 5 minutes walking from the park. Estremoz has many hotels and other overnight options.
o Very near are several points of interest: the Tanque dos Mouros (a water reservoir with considerable dimension built by the Romans). the Santo António Convent (16th century Capuchos’ monastery), an active quarry, the municipal marble workshops and the studio and shop of a local marble sculptor.
o The quarry has a hill with a circular view over a forested area (the Serra d´Ossa), the quarrying area and the centre of Estremoz.
Activities in the Marble Paradise
Apart from being a peaceful public park that is well suited for leisure and relaxing, the Marble Paradise will host a variety of cultural, promotional and educational activities. All activities will take place in a harmonious way: well managed, public friendly and sustainable.
In this chapter some specific highlights of the Marble Paradise are explained in further detail.
Relaxation, walking and a bit of info
The park will get a carefully chosen set of educational, cultural and promotional features embedded in an environment that invites to enjoy the local nature and landscape. Inspiration and relaxation will go hand in hand. This is why we planned several walking paths and some beautiful spots to rest.
Paths lead to a sculpture garden, pick nick places, a geo-info area, several panorama viewpoints and so on. Some ten panels will be placed with information on geology, history and ecology. To intensify the visitors’ connection with the location each may get the opportunity to add a marble piece to a path or wall.
Most paths will be suitable for wheel chairs, including one that leads to one of the three “platforms” next to the lake. This platform will be used for podium events. Other below surface parts of the quarry pit will be made accessible with solid and safe staircases.
The paths will largely be made of grid from marble waste. We expect common interest with projects aiming at developing new applications for marble waste: it can be applied and demonstrated on appropriate places.
An obvious highlight will be a walk along the marble statues that are the result of the sculptors’ symposium, to be organised directly after the opening of the park (see next section).
The quarry has beautiful geological formations. Several marble species, traces of volcanic activities, small caves with stalactites, gently curved rocks that look like man-made sculptures and so on. We will use these features as garden ornaments and for information on geology.
Quite some surface of the location is covered with lush vegetation on a fertile soil and a small abandoned olive orchard exists at the edge of the location. These landscape elements will be upgraded and new green structures will be planted. The intention is to make the Marble Paradise self-supporting in terms of irrigation water.
When open during the dark, the Marble Paradise will be illuminated in a functional but also highly artist manner. The intention is to highlight the front of the Marble factory, peculiar rock formations and parts of the quarry lake.
Sculpting
With no exception, professional marble sculptors who have worked in marble from the Estremoz anticline, assume it to be of world top quality. This is still rather unknown in broader international circles, but this project will certainly be an effective promotion of this quality.
The intention is to start the sculpting activities in the quarry with hosting a marble sculpting symposium, to be planned directly after the opening of the park. Around ten artists with professional status will be invited to make a sculpture and leave it there for a permanent exhibition.
These kinds of workshops are organised about annually in this region. So, experience with the organisation, logistics and financing is available. They are sponsored by the marble industry and municipalities. A disadvantage of the past workshops proved that the municipality, becoming the owner of the sculptures, generally has very limited possibilities to exhibit and take care of them. But in the Marble Paradise the exhibition, protection and maintenance is “in-kind”.
The marble sculpting symposium is the starting point of a gradually growing collection of marble sculpting. The intention is to attract, invite and facilitate artists from all over the world to work in the quarry or to use the marble from the region and exhibit their work in the park.
In addition, all over the world there are marble sculptors, both professional and amateur, who want to sculpt in stone at its place of origin: the spot where the stone was created millions of years ago. They love to leave their art work on that specific spot.
From the technical point of view the sculptors have the opportunity to work with virtually any sizes and basic forms. For instance, Agostinho Moreira hopes to get the opportunity to dig a complete, life size room, including furniture and residents out of a marble wall. This will surely attract many visitors, also those who are not used to visit an art exhibition.
To use the quarry as a location for selling marble sculptures and for education on marble sculpting is an obvious possibility as well.
Podium events
The quarry has magnificent properties to host cultural events, such as concerts, site specific dance, opera, open air movies and light shows.
The visual quality is unique. Some assume it alien, as it is far away from the known world, while others remind it to a cathedral upside down. Probably due to its rosa-whitish walls, its clear water and its balanced ratio between surface and depth, the space is impressive and intriguing, not spooky or repulsive.
The sound is unique: due to its below surface location the surrounding noises are largely eliminated and mainly because of the water surface and vertical marble walls the sound is conducted over a wide distance without having too much echo. Musicians assume the sound to approach sound studio quality.
The quarry has at least three platforms that after cleaning can be used as stage for podium events. Several options for placing the audience exist. To build constructions that guarantee safety for audience and actors is part of the project.
Also visiting the quarry lake in the dark will be a unique experience with moon and stars reflected in the water and walls transmitting the warmth that they collected during daytime. The illumination design may include under-water spots.
Try outs for some activities have already been taken place. All try outs were organised in the scope of the artists-in-residence program of Foundation OBRAS.
Promotion and information on marble and the marble sector
A core activity of the Marble Paradise is informing a broad public on marble: not only on marble products, but also on the marble sector as a whole. This will be done in an information centre, with demonstrations and by guided tours. Much attention will be paid to public friendliness and interactivity.
An information stand will be built with samples of marble species, with marble applications, features on construction and treatment and so on. Shopkeepers of marble equipment and marble applications will be invited to participate in this promotion. Guided walks and excursions in the region along active quarries and masonries will be organised.
The marble industry (represented by CEVALOR) has contributed to this proposal and will be invited to take place in the direction team. The quarry owners (represented by ASSIMAGRA) expressed their willingness to participate in this project and will be invited to take place in some of the task forces of the project.
Education and science
The Marble Paradise will be an exciting place for education for scholars, students, professionals and the lay public. It will offer a limited number of workshops and other educational activities. In addition it will invite and facilitate initiatives of others. Several useful suggestions were received already, including: stone workshops for everybody; marble for kids; quarrying in the past, present and future; reading the landscape; landscape photography and so on.
The Marble Paradise will also be open for scientific and technological projects on university level. Scientific and technological institutions will be invited to participate in projects, or to use the Marble Paradise as an experimental site or show case.
» HISTORY (industrial archaeology).
The intention is to develop a side project dedicated to the history of marble quarrying and to analyse the potential of the site as industrial heritage. An excursion of history students from Portugal, France and Italy (organised by the University of Evora; Prof. Ana Cardoso de Matos) did lead to this option.
There are more historical features in and directly around the Marble Paradise that deserve attention from historians, including remains of roman marble quarrying activities.
» ECOLOGY (restoration ecology).
Abandoned quarries have a highly specific nature and add biodiversity to the region. This will be highlighted in the information of the visitors. It may also offer practical experience for ecology students.
After having seen the Marble Paradise project, Professor Cristina Branquinho and Professor Otilia Correia (University of Lisbon, specialised in vegetation restoration in quarries) decided to start up a collaborative project with CEVALOR in which the Marble Paradise could one of the test locations. First goal is restoration of parts of the quarry vegetation in effective coherence with the general goals and dynamics of marble paradise project.
» SOCIOLOGY.
An in-depth analysis of what was, is and “should be” the role of this place for the local people will be helpful in effectively embedding the Marble Paradise in the local and regional society. Dr Carla Conzalves proposed such an analysis. She is sociologist and executed several projects in East Alentejo under the guidance of the University of Lisbon. Her speciality is Human- Nature interaction (Sociology –Ecology).
» ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES.
The physical features of the quarry and its lake may offer unique opportunities to produce renewable energy by solar energy (using the geometrical structure of the spot or heat exchange (using vertical temperature differences in the lake). Although the quantity of energy that can be produced will be modest, these type of activities will act as show case and source of inspiration, both for specialists and the lay public.
Water is an issue for the Marble Paradise (see above). The intention is stimulate investigations related to water, such as: how to secure the water quality in abandoned quarries?, can marble grid be used as substrate for biological purification of water?, and: how can the excess of water faced in most active quarries cost effectively be matched with the shortage of water faced in agriculture and some urban communities?
The marble industry produces literally mountains with marble waste. To deal with that is subject of several other projects and will not be part of the Marble Paradise. But the park could be used as show case for certain marble waste applications.
Off side activities
Within walking distance from the Marble Paradise location great variety of items are worth visiting and in a wider range a lot more is worth visiting.
The Marble Paradise team will stimulate others to start activities in other quarries. Only if not done by others (e.g. in de scope of another PROVERE project: Rotas dos Mármores), the Marble Paradise will offer guided and non-guided tours, both for individuals and for groups to other (abandoned) quarries.
Abandoned quarries are very diverse in character. Some have vegetation like a botanical garden with a serene atmosphere and lots of birds, and sometimes a lake with fish and otters. Others consist of only bare rocks and are more than 100 m deep.
Step by step approach
The project will be executed step by step. This is not only because the project is large and time consuming, but also because the first steps can already result in successful, prestigious and inspiring achievements. The stepwise development also allows spreading start up costs and investments over a longer period.
The first phase is three years long. In the first year part of the location will be cleaned, fences will be placed, ornamental trees will be planted and most of the pavement will be laid out. A substantial part of the total of 6 hectares will be made ready to receive visitors. Platforms around the quarry lake will be made accessible for actors and audience. A marble sculpting workshop for professional artists will take place in this phase, resulting in some ten marble sculptures. Trails will be set to show geological, ecological and historical features. An information stand on marble will be set up. A variety of other activities could already take place in the second year, including workshops and small scale podium events. The front of the Marble Factory will get a face lift and its roof gets a temporary support. Financial support for this phase will be both from private and public resources. The official opening is scheduled halfway the first phase.
In the second phase (of four years) the area involved will be enlarged and international artists will be invited to make marble sculptures, including reliefs in the walls of the quarry. The platforms around the quarry lake will get the option to receive spotlights and tribunes that can be removed after an event.
The Marble Paradise will host some prestigious open air concerts, and theatre and dance performances. The information stand on marble will be extended and the cultural, educational and promotional activities will be intensified. The garden will get greener and picnic places get more absorbed by their surroundings. The main hall in the Marble Factory will be available for exhibitions and small scale events. A private entrepreneur will be found in this phase, who in the next phase will take all responsibility for the Marble Paradise.
In the third phase (of four years) the project will be finalised. The complete area will be employed. The Marble Factory has got its new function, e.g. art gallery, show room, place for seminars and restaurant. At the end of this phase the park will be run by a private enterprise.
At the end of the first and second phase a situation has been created that allows a go-no go decision: it is ready to launch the following phase, but if the following phase will be postponed or cancelled the quarry will be in a semi-permanent state that can be appreciated as a unique and highly attractive public park.
Activities (29 work packages) are listed per phase in the project proposal.
Significance for Rural Development
Several trends can be observed in East Alentejo that are negative for the development of the region: job opportunities are reducing, the marble industry faces a long term low tide, and tourists visit the region less and shorter than expected. The region needs economic impulses to compensate the exit of labour from agriculture and to stimulate the young generation staying in the region. Some environmental issues exist, including the fate of abandoned quarries (risks, illegal waste) and a shortage of well water for domestic use.
To contribute significantly to rural development of the region is a major goal of this project.
The Marble Paradise will act as a promotion. It creates awareness and interest and contributes to a positive image. This applies to the image of the region in general as well as to image of the marble sector and its products.
Obviously, the Marble Paradise will attract tourists on an international scale and will give the local community a pleasant public park. But there is more. It shows the local community that the region offers opportunities to make something beautiful and profitable out of what is generally assumed to be a problem: an abandoned quarry. It makes the region more attractive to work and live in and the innovative approach will attract entrepreneurs and stimulates the youth to consider a future in the region.
The creation of a positive image applies also to marble and the marble sector. It accentuates not only its shows the great past of marble applications, but can also have a bright future. In addition, the marble sector will show the community that it is innovating, is responding to globalisation and is taking its societal responsibility.
Coherence with Community priorities on rural development.
The EU supports projects on rural development in case the link with the EU priorities on “sustainability” (Götenborg protocol) and “Growth & Jobs” (Lisbon protocol) are obvious.
The Community policy on rural development has four axes:
- Axis 1: improving competitiveness of agriculture and forestry
- Axis 2: improving environment and countryside
- Axis 3: improving quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification
- Axis 4: building local capacity for employment and diversification.
The project has obvious relations with three out of four axes (not with Axis 1).
For Axis 2: “improving environment and countryside” the project has great significance:
Also for Axis 3: “improving quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification” the project means a lot.
Young people move to Evora and Lisbon. Scale enlargement reduces viability of local enterprises. The marble industry faces a crisis and it is not clear when this will end. As a result, population is aging and private investments are low. This project improves the regions´ quality of life in several aspects.
For Axis 4: “building local capacity for employment and diversification” the project means a lot as well.
In several occasions several institutions in the Marble sector showed their intention to collaborate in the project. This is relevant for all three axes.
The marble industry has an important and powerful position in the region. This will probably remain so in the future, but this future will be different in many aspects. The supply market has become more competitive and the consumer more demanding. New legal restrictions will influence current practices and more society will insist more societal responsibility and environmental concern. Society will blame the marble sector for ruining the landscape, spoiling water and being faced to the past.
The Marble Paradise gives unique possibilities to the sector to show its vision on the future and its societal involvement. In addition it will be a show case of marble products and applications. The environment for this information and promotion is positive, prestigious and contemporary. Visitors and the local community will see the Marble Paradise as a gift of the marble sector to society.
Marble has something extra above other types of stone. Although the vast majority of marble is used for cladding, pavement and so on, the positive public image of marble is also based on application in art: a marble statue triggers imagination and admiration of the lay public. This positive image is crucial for the marble sector and can effectively be exploited in the Marble Paradise. The Marble Paradise will honour the imago of marble being a precious material from the past. But in addition, by showing contemporary and futuristic applications, it will attract the attention of a new consumers segment.
Financial aspects
There are similar projects in other countries that were used as business cases: “Duisburg Nord” (West Falia, Germany), the “Eden project” (Cornwall, UK), the “Tout Quarry Sculpture Garden” (Dorset, UK). Steinbruch St. Margarethen (Austria). Others are in the USA (Luck stone, Virginia) and Canada (Argila, Toronto). An obvious business case for this project is Pietrasanta: a location near to Firenze (Italy) where thousands of marble sculptors go to for working, taking classes, teaching and leisure.
In Portugal the Lousal Mine (near Grândola) is an example as well, although its focus is on industrial heritage. Our project and the projects in foreign countries mentioned above have a broader goal.
Financing of the project will partly be “in-kind” and partly by support of regional, National and European funds. In-kind means that participants deliver input from their own organisation.
The project proposal has been submitted at the EEC PROVERE program 04: Zonas dos Mármores and was ranked in the top 4 out of 62 proposals. This makes funding certain, assuming that all conditions can be met.
More financial details are in the project proposal. A detailed budget for the first phase are available but will remain confident until details on funding and decisions on participating organisations have been confirmed. This also applies to acquiring the location. This chapter only gives general information.
Organisational structure
A management structure has been chosen in the awareness that the project is multidisciplinary and takes place in a dynamic world. An approach is required that is more than just the execution of a blue print. It has to integrate organisational, cultural, institutional, technological and economical aspects and it has to guarantee continuity, transparency, predictability, flexibility and a solid fixation of results. In other words, the management structure needs to be stable and predictable, but also with an open eye for new developments and unexpected challenges.
To ensure both continuity and flexibility part of the management team will remain in function for the entire project and another part will change dependent of the phase of the project: (1) pre-development and take off, (2) acceleration and (3) stabilisation. Phase (1) and (2) will be concluded with a go / no go decision.
More details on the organisational structure, including division of tasks and responsibilities, are in a detailed project proposal.
Creating a marble paradise
We propose to upgrade one of the abandoned marble quarries near to the centre of Estremoz towards a public garden and use it for several purposes:
- culture: sculptures garden, theatre and other cultural events,…,
- education on geology, ecology, history, environment, sustainable development, arts, ….
- information on marble: quarrying, applications, products, …
- leisure: sightseeing, strolling, picnicking, …..
By bringing these activities together in a public garden a broad public will be attracted. This “Marble Paradise” will be unique in its kind and a great promotion on an international scale for both Estremoz, the region and the marble sector.
In addition, the Marble Paradise will be the centre point of “marble tours” (guided and non-guided) for walking, cycling and cars.
A side project, to be developed independently, is to renovate the oldest marble factory of Portugal, located in the Marble Paradise, and give it a new application.
We propose to develop the Marble Paradise step by step, in a way that already after the first step an attractive park will be realised.
Financing of the project will partly be “in-kind” and partly by support of regional, National and European funds.
Apart from attracting visitors the project aims at contributing to several societal and economic goals on the local and regional scale:
- it upgrades a notable entry of the city from an abandoned industrial location into a prestigious and attractive park. This adds value to the surroundings of that park and to the image of the town in general,
- it honours the past of that location as well as the many locals who worked in that or other quarries,
- It contributes to safeguarding water supply for the city,
- It solves a public safety risk and reduces environmental pollution,
- It catalyses initiatives that rejuvenate the spirit of the town and the region,
- It acts as a source of inspiration for giving new meanings to other abandoned quarries and abandoned industrial zones,
- It contributes to the profit and societal acceptance of the marble sector.
Introduction
The marble region in East Alentejo has four hundred quarries of which three hundred are abandoned for economical reasons, leaving behind not only a memory of greatness, but also a desolate, often dangerous hole surrounded by rusty mining equipment, marble waste and illegal garbage. Several abandoned quarries, however, have an incredible beauty due to its unique shape, lively colours, peaceful silence and unexpected natural elements.
We analysed a large number of abandoned quarries to find the best one for hosting the Marble Paradise. The analysis was based on criterions on three integration levels: see below. Our conclusion was that the San Antonio quarry in Estremoz is the best for hosting the Marble Paradise.
Criterions for the park itself were aesthetic beauty, options for walking paths and bella vistas, presence of specific highlights (e.g. historic, geological), accessibility for public and private transport, vicinity of an attractive town, and degrees of freedom for future developments.
Criterions for the park in relation to its direct surroundings were coherence with the urban and rural planning, improving quality of life in the neighbourhood, and the park being a trigger for other activities and initiatives in that surroundings.
Criterions for the park in relation to its wider surroundings were contributing to economic prosperity of the marble sector and of the region in general, contributing to a positive image and creating a unique selling point for the hosting town and its surroundings, and inspiring new applications for abandoned quarries and abandoned industrial zones.
Concept and general intentions on the park design
First of all the Marble paradise will be a place for leisure: picnicking, enjoying the intriguing view inside the quarry and the wide views over the surrounding. Secondly it will be a place for information, especially on marble. And thirdly it is a place for exhibitions and cultural events in a unique ambience.
We will transform the quarry into a thematic park in the awareness that it is crucial to acknowledge what the place meant and still means to people who worked there. We but will preserve part of its identity and history, by keeping part of the existing built structures, as a reference to the past and give them a new meaning. But is not a museum. It also focuses on the future: on new marble applications, on innovations and on environmental issues.
The intention is accentuating the character of the place with the lake in the middle and the Marble Factory at the edge as fascinating landmarks. Also the big vertical marble walls and the remarkable amorphous rocks will mark the memory of the visitor.
A prestigious futuristic entrance will set the tone. The 10-m3 blocks of marble will be rearranged according to a garden architectural design.
Sightseeing will be an activity that largely determines the appreciation of the visitor. Very important therefore are the view points, picnic places, benches in the shadow and so on. Most paths will be suitable for wheelchairs and lead to spectacular viewpoints, while some are with stairs and descent to intriguing spots inside the pit of the quarry.
Information on marble is a central issue in this garden. It gets a prominent and attractive place without being offensive.
One part of the Marble paradise will be used by marble sculptors in a way that step by step a unique sculptures garden will be created.
Some parts around the quarry lake have already the shape, visibility and acoustics to be used as stage for theatre events. Little adaptation (especially safety measures) is needed to receive actors and spectators.
An independent side project is the renovation of a prestigious ancient marble factory located at the edge of the quarry on a magnificent viewpoint. It is in bad shape but will be renovated step by step. A face lift is planned in the first phase and a thorough renovation in the second and third phase.
After renovation the building can be used as art gallery, educational centre, show room, theatre or restaurant. A grand avenue will lead from the entrance to the ancient marble factory.
Estremoz marble
Portugal is one of the worlds’ largest producers of marble and the marble of Estremoz anticline, a geological structure of 40 km long and 6 km wide, is well-known all over the world.
The marble of this region has been exploited since Roman times and up to the 1980th the marble sector was a very dominant sector in the region. Due to low global market prices for crude material and increasing processing costs, the marble sector faces a low tide with a duration that is difficult to predict. The Estremoz anticline has 400 quarries of which 300 are abandoned. The marble sector itself expects to increase this number up to 350 in the near future. Some are abandoned because they are exhausted, but most have still marble, but are not profitable for further exploiting as long as the market price does not increase.
The marble quarrying activities are very visible in the landscape and cause two different perceptions. On one hand, it has created a landscape that is disliked by many because of its enormous waste mountains that seem to be out of public control. But on the other hand, it impresses many others by its powerful appearance and its in-comparability in size and form. It symbolizes the pride of an economic activity that is crucial for the region.
Both the marble sector and regional society are changing due to globalisation and economy. The Marble Paradise gives attention to the societal involvement of the marble sector.
The park will be a perfect example of a post-industrial landscape and will become one of the leaders in Europe in developing this type of landscape.
The location
The San Antonio quarry in Estremoz, also named Olival San Antonio, contains still high quality marble, even near to surface level. It is abandoned because the production costs were too high, especially because the pit has a strong well: the costs of pumping the water out have become too high. All cranes and other technical infrastructure have been taken away after abandoning, making it very costly and unlikely that the quarry-activities will start up again even if the market price for marble increases.
The owner of the San Antonio quarry: Pardal Monteiro - Marmore, got bankrupted in 2008 after more than 150 years of marble quarrying. The BANIF bank does the debt repayment. It tried to sell the quarry by auction but did not receive any bid. This is probably because a new owner is forced by law to restart marble quarrying (while there is no indication that this can become profitable), or to implement the demands of CCDR-A. The CCDR-A demanded the owner to realize specified safety, security and environmental actions for the location. The Marble Paradise project includes the fulfillment of these demands.
Urban planning in the neighborhood
Currently, the San Antonio quarry is part of a small industrial zone. BATANETE is its direct neighbor. Recently, the municipality bought this property and use it for storing building material.
Apart from BATANETE, the San Antonio quarry is surrounded by a cemetery, an abandoned convent, an active marble quarry, two marble workshops and some other small enterprises, some private houses, a sports school, a big supermarket, an olive orchard with a farmhouse.
By buying BATANETE the municipality may well have initiated a transition of that neighborhood towards more urban and less industrial applications. If so, the marble paradise fits perfectly in this transition.
Water from the quarry
Another issue is water. The San Antonio quarry is within a zone that is qualified of having high hydro geological vulnerability (Alta Vulnerabilidade Hidrogeológica). The San Antonio quarry is even in a part that is assumed to need extra protection because of its aquifers and the application for domestic water supply (Protecção Alargada (aquíferos), Rede de abastecimento de agua). In the past years the municipality of Estremoz extracted water from the lake in the San Antonio quarry because its own sources did not function sufficiently any more (possibly because of the deep water extraction by the marble quarries in the surroundings). Even although the extraction by the municipality is based on an informal gentleman’s agreement with an owner that got bankrupted in 2008 (and the new owner: the BANIF bank is not aware of this agreement), it is crucial for the population of Estremoz that this possibility continues to exist for the years to come, until Estremoz is connected to larger supply systems: two large artificial lakes. The Marble Paradise project has included this need of Estremoz in its goals. The project is certainly a better guarantee for protecting quantity and quality of the water than in the current situation of being in fact a no-man’s land with lots of illegal dumping of urban and industrial waste. Also after connection to the artificial lakes Estremoz may well need a water reservoir near to town for emergency reasons. Also this application is included in the project goals.
Suitability of San Antonio quarry for Marble Paradise
The San Antonio quarry is best suited for the Marble Paradise and is probably unique in the world for a combination of reasons:
· The quarry itself:
o Its size: around 6 hectares, is optimal for the Marble Paradise.
o It has a lake of 1 hectare that is fed by a strong well. It creates an image of natural wealth and gives coolness in the hottest period of the year. It attracts birds and frogs whose sounds echo between the marble walls. The lake is surrounded by several platforms that could be used with little adaptation for theatre.
o The quarry has structures that are both scenic and a showcase for information on geology. The rocks and walls in the quarry are of superb quality for sculpting.
o The quarry includes the remains of one of the oldest quarries (14th century) and the oldest marble factory of Portugal (19th century). The location has the potential to be a monument of industrial heritage, but is in bad shape. It poses a severe risk until a new owner takes safety measures.
o The location has an abandoned railway track that in the past the Marble Factory connected by railway to Vila Viçosa, Estremoz and Évora. Initiatives to revitalize the track for touristic reasons have failed. To convert it into an ecopista (walking, jogging and cycling path) is a plan that is waiting for better times. In all cases the Marble Paradise will give attention to this railway track.
o A substantial part of the necessary infrastructure (tap water, electricity, sanitary systems) is already available in part of the quarry.
Its accessibility;
o The quarry is extraordinary well connected to Lisbon and Spain by the A6 highway and the N4 national road.
o The bus station of Estremoz, that receives express busses from a wide region, is on 10 minutes walking from the park.
o A spacious parking place is opposite the main entrance.
Its direct surroundings;
o The city centre of Estremoz is on 5 minutes walking from the park. Estremoz has many hotels and other overnight options.
o Very near are several points of interest: the Tanque dos Mouros (a water reservoir with considerable dimension built by the Romans). the Santo António Convent (16th century Capuchos’ monastery), an active quarry, the municipal marble workshops and the studio and shop of a local marble sculptor.
o The quarry has a hill with a circular view over a forested area (the Serra d´Ossa), the quarrying area and the centre of Estremoz.
Activities in the Marble Paradise
Apart from being a peaceful public park that is well suited for leisure and relaxing, the Marble Paradise will host a variety of cultural, promotional and educational activities. All activities will take place in a harmonious way: well managed, public friendly and sustainable.
In this chapter some specific highlights of the Marble Paradise are explained in further detail.
Relaxation, walking and a bit of info
The park will get a carefully chosen set of educational, cultural and promotional features embedded in an environment that invites to enjoy the local nature and landscape. Inspiration and relaxation will go hand in hand. This is why we planned several walking paths and some beautiful spots to rest.
Paths lead to a sculpture garden, pick nick places, a geo-info area, several panorama viewpoints and so on. Some ten panels will be placed with information on geology, history and ecology. To intensify the visitors’ connection with the location each may get the opportunity to add a marble piece to a path or wall.
Most paths will be suitable for wheel chairs, including one that leads to one of the three “platforms” next to the lake. This platform will be used for podium events. Other below surface parts of the quarry pit will be made accessible with solid and safe staircases.
The paths will largely be made of grid from marble waste. We expect common interest with projects aiming at developing new applications for marble waste: it can be applied and demonstrated on appropriate places.
An obvious highlight will be a walk along the marble statues that are the result of the sculptors’ symposium, to be organised directly after the opening of the park (see next section).
The quarry has beautiful geological formations. Several marble species, traces of volcanic activities, small caves with stalactites, gently curved rocks that look like man-made sculptures and so on. We will use these features as garden ornaments and for information on geology.
Quite some surface of the location is covered with lush vegetation on a fertile soil and a small abandoned olive orchard exists at the edge of the location. These landscape elements will be upgraded and new green structures will be planted. The intention is to make the Marble Paradise self-supporting in terms of irrigation water.
When open during the dark, the Marble Paradise will be illuminated in a functional but also highly artist manner. The intention is to highlight the front of the Marble factory, peculiar rock formations and parts of the quarry lake.
Sculpting
With no exception, professional marble sculptors who have worked in marble from the Estremoz anticline, assume it to be of world top quality. This is still rather unknown in broader international circles, but this project will certainly be an effective promotion of this quality.
The intention is to start the sculpting activities in the quarry with hosting a marble sculpting symposium, to be planned directly after the opening of the park. Around ten artists with professional status will be invited to make a sculpture and leave it there for a permanent exhibition.
These kinds of workshops are organised about annually in this region. So, experience with the organisation, logistics and financing is available. They are sponsored by the marble industry and municipalities. A disadvantage of the past workshops proved that the municipality, becoming the owner of the sculptures, generally has very limited possibilities to exhibit and take care of them. But in the Marble Paradise the exhibition, protection and maintenance is “in-kind”.
The marble sculpting symposium is the starting point of a gradually growing collection of marble sculpting. The intention is to attract, invite and facilitate artists from all over the world to work in the quarry or to use the marble from the region and exhibit their work in the park.
In addition, all over the world there are marble sculptors, both professional and amateur, who want to sculpt in stone at its place of origin: the spot where the stone was created millions of years ago. They love to leave their art work on that specific spot.
From the technical point of view the sculptors have the opportunity to work with virtually any sizes and basic forms. For instance, Agostinho Moreira hopes to get the opportunity to dig a complete, life size room, including furniture and residents out of a marble wall. This will surely attract many visitors, also those who are not used to visit an art exhibition.
To use the quarry as a location for selling marble sculptures and for education on marble sculpting is an obvious possibility as well.
Podium events
The quarry has magnificent properties to host cultural events, such as concerts, site specific dance, opera, open air movies and light shows.
The visual quality is unique. Some assume it alien, as it is far away from the known world, while others remind it to a cathedral upside down. Probably due to its rosa-whitish walls, its clear water and its balanced ratio between surface and depth, the space is impressive and intriguing, not spooky or repulsive.
The sound is unique: due to its below surface location the surrounding noises are largely eliminated and mainly because of the water surface and vertical marble walls the sound is conducted over a wide distance without having too much echo. Musicians assume the sound to approach sound studio quality.
The quarry has at least three platforms that after cleaning can be used as stage for podium events. Several options for placing the audience exist. To build constructions that guarantee safety for audience and actors is part of the project.
Also visiting the quarry lake in the dark will be a unique experience with moon and stars reflected in the water and walls transmitting the warmth that they collected during daytime. The illumination design may include under-water spots.
Try outs for some activities have already been taken place. All try outs were organised in the scope of the artists-in-residence program of Foundation OBRAS.
Promotion and information on marble and the marble sector
A core activity of the Marble Paradise is informing a broad public on marble: not only on marble products, but also on the marble sector as a whole. This will be done in an information centre, with demonstrations and by guided tours. Much attention will be paid to public friendliness and interactivity.
An information stand will be built with samples of marble species, with marble applications, features on construction and treatment and so on. Shopkeepers of marble equipment and marble applications will be invited to participate in this promotion. Guided walks and excursions in the region along active quarries and masonries will be organised.
The marble industry (represented by CEVALOR) has contributed to this proposal and will be invited to take place in the direction team. The quarry owners (represented by ASSIMAGRA) expressed their willingness to participate in this project and will be invited to take place in some of the task forces of the project.
Education and science
The Marble Paradise will be an exciting place for education for scholars, students, professionals and the lay public. It will offer a limited number of workshops and other educational activities. In addition it will invite and facilitate initiatives of others. Several useful suggestions were received already, including: stone workshops for everybody; marble for kids; quarrying in the past, present and future; reading the landscape; landscape photography and so on.
The Marble Paradise will also be open for scientific and technological projects on university level. Scientific and technological institutions will be invited to participate in projects, or to use the Marble Paradise as an experimental site or show case.
» HISTORY (industrial archaeology).
The intention is to develop a side project dedicated to the history of marble quarrying and to analyse the potential of the site as industrial heritage. An excursion of history students from Portugal, France and Italy (organised by the University of Evora; Prof. Ana Cardoso de Matos) did lead to this option.
There are more historical features in and directly around the Marble Paradise that deserve attention from historians, including remains of roman marble quarrying activities.
» ECOLOGY (restoration ecology).
Abandoned quarries have a highly specific nature and add biodiversity to the region. This will be highlighted in the information of the visitors. It may also offer practical experience for ecology students.
After having seen the Marble Paradise project, Professor Cristina Branquinho and Professor Otilia Correia (University of Lisbon, specialised in vegetation restoration in quarries) decided to start up a collaborative project with CEVALOR in which the Marble Paradise could one of the test locations. First goal is restoration of parts of the quarry vegetation in effective coherence with the general goals and dynamics of marble paradise project.
» SOCIOLOGY.
An in-depth analysis of what was, is and “should be” the role of this place for the local people will be helpful in effectively embedding the Marble Paradise in the local and regional society. Dr Carla Conzalves proposed such an analysis. She is sociologist and executed several projects in East Alentejo under the guidance of the University of Lisbon. Her speciality is Human- Nature interaction (Sociology –Ecology).
» ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES.
The physical features of the quarry and its lake may offer unique opportunities to produce renewable energy by solar energy (using the geometrical structure of the spot or heat exchange (using vertical temperature differences in the lake). Although the quantity of energy that can be produced will be modest, these type of activities will act as show case and source of inspiration, both for specialists and the lay public.
Water is an issue for the Marble Paradise (see above). The intention is stimulate investigations related to water, such as: how to secure the water quality in abandoned quarries?, can marble grid be used as substrate for biological purification of water?, and: how can the excess of water faced in most active quarries cost effectively be matched with the shortage of water faced in agriculture and some urban communities?
The marble industry produces literally mountains with marble waste. To deal with that is subject of several other projects and will not be part of the Marble Paradise. But the park could be used as show case for certain marble waste applications.
Off side activities
Within walking distance from the Marble Paradise location great variety of items are worth visiting and in a wider range a lot more is worth visiting.
The Marble Paradise team will stimulate others to start activities in other quarries. Only if not done by others (e.g. in de scope of another PROVERE project: Rotas dos Mármores), the Marble Paradise will offer guided and non-guided tours, both for individuals and for groups to other (abandoned) quarries.
Abandoned quarries are very diverse in character. Some have vegetation like a botanical garden with a serene atmosphere and lots of birds, and sometimes a lake with fish and otters. Others consist of only bare rocks and are more than 100 m deep.
Step by step approach
The project will be executed step by step. This is not only because the project is large and time consuming, but also because the first steps can already result in successful, prestigious and inspiring achievements. The stepwise development also allows spreading start up costs and investments over a longer period.
The first phase is three years long. In the first year part of the location will be cleaned, fences will be placed, ornamental trees will be planted and most of the pavement will be laid out. A substantial part of the total of 6 hectares will be made ready to receive visitors. Platforms around the quarry lake will be made accessible for actors and audience. A marble sculpting workshop for professional artists will take place in this phase, resulting in some ten marble sculptures. Trails will be set to show geological, ecological and historical features. An information stand on marble will be set up. A variety of other activities could already take place in the second year, including workshops and small scale podium events. The front of the Marble Factory will get a face lift and its roof gets a temporary support. Financial support for this phase will be both from private and public resources. The official opening is scheduled halfway the first phase.
In the second phase (of four years) the area involved will be enlarged and international artists will be invited to make marble sculptures, including reliefs in the walls of the quarry. The platforms around the quarry lake will get the option to receive spotlights and tribunes that can be removed after an event.
The Marble Paradise will host some prestigious open air concerts, and theatre and dance performances. The information stand on marble will be extended and the cultural, educational and promotional activities will be intensified. The garden will get greener and picnic places get more absorbed by their surroundings. The main hall in the Marble Factory will be available for exhibitions and small scale events. A private entrepreneur will be found in this phase, who in the next phase will take all responsibility for the Marble Paradise.
In the third phase (of four years) the project will be finalised. The complete area will be employed. The Marble Factory has got its new function, e.g. art gallery, show room, place for seminars and restaurant. At the end of this phase the park will be run by a private enterprise.
At the end of the first and second phase a situation has been created that allows a go-no go decision: it is ready to launch the following phase, but if the following phase will be postponed or cancelled the quarry will be in a semi-permanent state that can be appreciated as a unique and highly attractive public park.
Activities (29 work packages) are listed per phase in the project proposal.
Significance for Rural Development
Several trends can be observed in East Alentejo that are negative for the development of the region: job opportunities are reducing, the marble industry faces a long term low tide, and tourists visit the region less and shorter than expected. The region needs economic impulses to compensate the exit of labour from agriculture and to stimulate the young generation staying in the region. Some environmental issues exist, including the fate of abandoned quarries (risks, illegal waste) and a shortage of well water for domestic use.
To contribute significantly to rural development of the region is a major goal of this project.
The Marble Paradise will act as a promotion. It creates awareness and interest and contributes to a positive image. This applies to the image of the region in general as well as to image of the marble sector and its products.
Obviously, the Marble Paradise will attract tourists on an international scale and will give the local community a pleasant public park. But there is more. It shows the local community that the region offers opportunities to make something beautiful and profitable out of what is generally assumed to be a problem: an abandoned quarry. It makes the region more attractive to work and live in and the innovative approach will attract entrepreneurs and stimulates the youth to consider a future in the region.
The creation of a positive image applies also to marble and the marble sector. It accentuates not only its shows the great past of marble applications, but can also have a bright future. In addition, the marble sector will show the community that it is innovating, is responding to globalisation and is taking its societal responsibility.
Coherence with Community priorities on rural development.
The EU supports projects on rural development in case the link with the EU priorities on “sustainability” (Götenborg protocol) and “Growth & Jobs” (Lisbon protocol) are obvious.
The Community policy on rural development has four axes:
- Axis 1: improving competitiveness of agriculture and forestry
- Axis 2: improving environment and countryside
- Axis 3: improving quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification
- Axis 4: building local capacity for employment and diversification.
The project has obvious relations with three out of four axes (not with Axis 1).
For Axis 2: “improving environment and countryside” the project has great significance:
- it converts an environmental problem: “abandoned industrial sites with lots of old iron, illegal garbage and deep, dangerous holes” into an opportunity: some of these sites will get a second life as public garden for leisure, education and cultural events. The Marble Paradise will act as show case and a source of inspiration for more conversions.
- The Marble Paradise will become a pleasant place with human dimensions that fits well in the countryside. It adds quality to the living environment for the local community as well as for visitors.
- The Marble Paradise contributes to diversification of the regional economy by adding touristic, cultural and promotional activities that are unique on an international scale.
- The Marble Paradise creates a post-industrial landscape and contributes to the spatial distribution of economic activity and territorial cohesion. It will be an inspiring example of a sustainable equilibrium between industrial, urban and rural areas and activities.
- The Marble Paradise will pay attention to environmental innovations and sustainability issues, thereby triggering implementation of solutions. This may applies among others to upgrading waste water from marble quarrying, demonstrations of marble waste applications, and producing energy using geo-thermal properties of the quarries.
- The Marble Paradise will restore vegetation in a way that it adds significantly to biodiversity.
Also for Axis 3: “improving quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification” the project means a lot.
Young people move to Evora and Lisbon. Scale enlargement reduces viability of local enterprises. The marble industry faces a crisis and it is not clear when this will end. As a result, population is aging and private investments are low. This project improves the regions´ quality of life in several aspects.
- It makes the region more attractive as a place for living by improving the visual quality of the landscape and by offering culture, education and leisure.
- It pays attention to innovation and future, thereby triggering the attention of the youth. Moreover, it ameliorates the imago of the region that it only offers a view to the past.
- It contributes to societal cohesion by building bridges between industry and tourism, and between the past and future.
- By using abandoned industrial land, the Marble Paradise brings back economic activity and income for the local community. The activities will easily be integrated in the existing urban life because the location is on walking distance from the city centre of Estremoz.
- An important entrance road to the city of Estremoz will get a prominent view that shows self confidence as well as hospitality. In the current state this road is surrounded by largely abandoned industrial land and a cementary.
- The Marble Paradise is an investment in cultural heritage. The place represents an important chapter in local history. The project will involve elderly citizens who worked in the marble quarries. The ancient marble factory and its surroundings have the quality of a industrial archaeological monument (an analysis will be done to check whether an official status as industrial heritage is feasible).
For Axis 4: “building local capacity for employment and diversification” the project means a lot as well.
- It creates employment directly and indirectly by attracting visitors, by supporting the marble sector and by initiating cultural activities. As some of the activities are unique it will create new competences.
- The project brings the private and public sector together in a joint, economically profitable action. This may stimulate co-operation in other projects.
- The project creates employment capacity and mobilises the endogenous development potential of the region. The project will catalyse starting up side activities.
- The organisational structure of the project guarantees appropriate rooting in the regional society and economy: the relevant sectors are represented in the advisory committee, in the general direction or in specific task forces.
- A substantial part of the visitors of the Marble Paradise will be foreigners (all information will be in Portuguese, English and Spanish). The international setting will create new competences and enhances diversification of employment.
- Currently, many lodging possibilities exist in the region, but only few actions are taken to keep tourists in the region for longer than one day. The Marble Paradise contributes in stimulating tourists staying overnight by offering night events, full day trips, and workshops of a weekend or a week.
In several occasions several institutions in the Marble sector showed their intention to collaborate in the project. This is relevant for all three axes.
The marble industry has an important and powerful position in the region. This will probably remain so in the future, but this future will be different in many aspects. The supply market has become more competitive and the consumer more demanding. New legal restrictions will influence current practices and more society will insist more societal responsibility and environmental concern. Society will blame the marble sector for ruining the landscape, spoiling water and being faced to the past.
The Marble Paradise gives unique possibilities to the sector to show its vision on the future and its societal involvement. In addition it will be a show case of marble products and applications. The environment for this information and promotion is positive, prestigious and contemporary. Visitors and the local community will see the Marble Paradise as a gift of the marble sector to society.
Marble has something extra above other types of stone. Although the vast majority of marble is used for cladding, pavement and so on, the positive public image of marble is also based on application in art: a marble statue triggers imagination and admiration of the lay public. This positive image is crucial for the marble sector and can effectively be exploited in the Marble Paradise. The Marble Paradise will honour the imago of marble being a precious material from the past. But in addition, by showing contemporary and futuristic applications, it will attract the attention of a new consumers segment.
Financial aspects
There are similar projects in other countries that were used as business cases: “Duisburg Nord” (West Falia, Germany), the “Eden project” (Cornwall, UK), the “Tout Quarry Sculpture Garden” (Dorset, UK). Steinbruch St. Margarethen (Austria). Others are in the USA (Luck stone, Virginia) and Canada (Argila, Toronto). An obvious business case for this project is Pietrasanta: a location near to Firenze (Italy) where thousands of marble sculptors go to for working, taking classes, teaching and leisure.
In Portugal the Lousal Mine (near Grândola) is an example as well, although its focus is on industrial heritage. Our project and the projects in foreign countries mentioned above have a broader goal.
Financing of the project will partly be “in-kind” and partly by support of regional, National and European funds. In-kind means that participants deliver input from their own organisation.
The project proposal has been submitted at the EEC PROVERE program 04: Zonas dos Mármores and was ranked in the top 4 out of 62 proposals. This makes funding certain, assuming that all conditions can be met.
More financial details are in the project proposal. A detailed budget for the first phase are available but will remain confident until details on funding and decisions on participating organisations have been confirmed. This also applies to acquiring the location. This chapter only gives general information.
Organisational structure
A management structure has been chosen in the awareness that the project is multidisciplinary and takes place in a dynamic world. An approach is required that is more than just the execution of a blue print. It has to integrate organisational, cultural, institutional, technological and economical aspects and it has to guarantee continuity, transparency, predictability, flexibility and a solid fixation of results. In other words, the management structure needs to be stable and predictable, but also with an open eye for new developments and unexpected challenges.
To ensure both continuity and flexibility part of the management team will remain in function for the entire project and another part will change dependent of the phase of the project: (1) pre-development and take off, (2) acceleration and (3) stabilisation. Phase (1) and (2) will be concluded with a go / no go decision.
More details on the organisational structure, including division of tasks and responsibilities, are in a detailed project proposal.