Instead, it’s the strange reality unfolding in the Arctic town of Kiruna, northern Sweden.
A nearby iron ore mine — Kiruna’s main source of income and employment for more than a century — has begun to encroach on the city in recent years.
Small cracks have also begun to show on the streets in businesses and residential areas.
A detailed analysis by LKAB (the state-owned company that operates the mine) has predicted that the these fractures will only get worse as it attempts to access the most difficult to reach minerals.
According to Erika Lindblad of LKAB, the remaining iron ore bodies are located directly under the city. This creates a problem as the law, and the company’s own policy, prohibits mining under populated areas.
“When the mines initially opened, it made sense to build housing near the workplaces, Lindblad said.
“However, no one could have imagined that over 120 years later we would be mining ore a kilometre below ground and that this would have a significant impact on the communities in which we operate.”
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While far from perfect, Walldin believes these projects will help ease people’s feelings about the transition.
It will also serve to emphasize how unique the residents of Kiruna and their city really are.
“There’s this mutual relationship (between the people and the mine) which is quite interesting that I don’t see in other projects when you move cities,” Walldin said.
“When slums are cleared its obvious who has the power. I mean, the decision is made and people are moved.
“But in Kiruna, there is this mutual (requirement) between the town and the mine. So, it has to be done in this respectful way.”
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