Reinventing Stahlstadt – Research Methods to Reimagine Steel Towns, sustainability and collective geographies
In Jules Verne’s imaginary, Stahlstadt, the city created by Prof. Schultze in “The Begum’s Fortune” (1879) is the evil city “par excellence”: unhealthy, unfair, and based on a warfare economy; its symbol: steel. The idea of the industrial town being dangerous, treacherous, and ruthless, as opposed to the idealistic world of the hygienic city, is one of the cliches of the late XIX century, especially if we see the importance of coal and steel for the European history between 1914 and 1960s. The steel industry has been vital to industrial development and economic growth, but its environmental and health impacts have been significant. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the sustainability of steel production, particularly in regions where environmental regulations are lax.
This study investigates the relationship between steelworks and geography, with a focus on the city of Taranto in southern Italy. Taranto is home to one of the largest steel mills in Europe, and its proximity to the city has been a source of environmental and health concerns for local residents. The research utilizes data from a recently financed Horizon project that analyses the steel industry’s impact on the environment and public health, with particular reference to non-communicable diseases. The study conducted at UoS focuses on the human geography component and the policy and regulatory framework that has contributed to the sustainability challenges facing the steel industry in Taranto. It highlights the need for stricter environmental regulations and a shift towards more sustainable production processes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the steel industry in the region.
Overall, the main aim is to provide valuable insights into the relationship between steelworks, heritage and geography and highlights the urgent need for action to address the sustainability challenges facing the steel industry in Taranto and other regions.
