Damage to the landscape caused by cement industry in Southern Transdanubia, Hungary

Abstract

Limestone quarrying and cement manufacturing are industries capable of causing immense environmental damage. Deterioration in the visual quality of the landscape and changes in runoff are considered among the most significant geomorphological impacts. This paper explores the case of cement production in the Villány Hills. Landscape ecological analyses and visibility studies are made to survey environmental impacts. Besides human inconvenience such as water contamination, noise, traffic and visual obtrusion, the major conflict concerns nature conservation, where the industry threatens crystal caves, nature reserves with botanical and ornithological values, ecological corridors etc. Proponents of the new development insist that technological solutions exist for many of these problems and the plans are sufficient to persuade some local communities to support the project. However, there is a concern that some of the measures described in the project plan may not be enacted effectively once project approval is granted. Further ahead, there is a well-founded expectation that technological improvements in cement industry may soon result in the greater recycling of other industrial by products such as slag and building rubble, so leading to a reduction in the demand for new quarried raw material and less landscape damage.