Changing Industrial Landscape

The landscape biography of the former Pateniemi sawmill area

Authors

• Marjo Juola University of Oulu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7799-2034

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33355/tw.102888

Keywords:

landscape, industry, sawmill , archaeology

Abstract

In the former industrial areas, reconstruction pressures are increasing with new housing plans. Such reconstruction will fundamentally change both the landscape and the entire area. In this article, which is based on my master’s thesis, I use interviews, maps, and photographs to examine how the environment has changed in the former Pateniemi sawmill area (1873–1990). During the sawmill, the landscape was dominated by the widespread lumber yards. Since the sawmill closed in 1990, all the production buildings have been demolished and the empty plots have given way to the new residential buildings. The landscape has undergone a dramatic change with increasing construction pressures, that often await former industrial areas like Pateniemi. The purpose of the remaining sawmill-related buildings has changed, which has also affected to the nature of the area. By combining maps, photographs, and interviews with material remains, I analyze the change in the area`s biography. The closing of the sawmill and the resulting employment and ending leisure opportunities, has had a major impact on both the area's residents, most of whom earned their living from the sawmill, and the area's landscape, which is turning from a company town to the flagship of new construction site in marine Oulu.