From this vantage point, you see two worlds collide: the Ecotron at Hasselt University and the historic mine shafts of the former mining area of As. The Ecotron is a unique research center where scientists study the impact of climate change on ecosystems. Within large transparent domes, nature is simulated—from temperature and precipitation to CO₂ levels—to understand how plants and animals will respond to future environments.
Behind these modern structures, the dark silhouettes of the old mine shafts tower, silent witnesses to the region's industrial past. Together, they create a remarkable image: the past of mining versus the future of climate research.
The surrounding landscape, now part of the Hoge Kempen National Park, has been restored into a mosaic of forests, heathland, and ponds. The view is not only visually impressive but also tells a profound story of transformation—from extraction to ecology, from industry to understanding.