MINESCAPE: RE-ENVISIONING THE POST-MINE LANDSCAPE OF YELLOWKNIFE, NWT

Abstract

This thesis explores the process of remediation and renewal in the context of decommissioned gold mining operations in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The work aims to demonstrate that architecture can facilitate understanding and bring awareness to the processes involved in reclaiming industrial sites by creating places for observation, interaction and refl ection. Existing mine infrastructure will be adapted and augmented to support phytoremediation processes, clean energy generation and municipal waste treatment for adjacent Yellowknife residents. These interventions are based on a series of studies involving mineral extraction processes, historic mine development and geological formations. The architectural interventions are phased and are intended to be prototypical strategies for decommissioned mine sites in general, but are specifi cally relevant to those located in sub-arctic climates.