Ever wonder what happens to nuclear power plants when they are scrapped? Neither did I, until I saw Wunderland Kalkar. Wunderland Kalkar is an amusement park in Germany that sits on what used to be an old nuclear power plant.
The power plant was completed and operational by 1985, but thanks to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, the plant was taken offline. Rather than taking a 4 billion dollar loss, the plant's owners sold it to a Dutch investor who eventually turned it into Wunderland Kalkar.
Wunderland Kalkar has a unique design that can be found nowhere else in the world. Portions of the power plant have been incorporated into the park's rides, such as a giant swing housed in an old cooling tower. Fears of leftover radiation apparently don't concern visitors, as around 600,000 people visit the park every year. Reclaiming old nuclear power plants and turning them into profitable business ventures could become a lot more common, especially as governments around the world become more and more hesitant about using nuclear power after the recent Japanese nuclear disaster. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a few more Wunderland Kalkar-style parks opening up over the next few years.
Radioactive Theme Parks
Wunderland Kalkar is Built on an Old Nuclear Power Plant
Trend Themes
1. Repurposing Nuclear Power Plants - There is a growing trend of repurposing decommissioned nuclear power plants into profitable business ventures, such as amusement parks like Wunderland Kalkar.
2. Adaptive Design and Architecture - The unique design of Wunderland Kalkar demonstrates the potential for adaptive reuse of existing structures, creating innovative and one-of-a-kind attractions.
3. Changing Attitudes Towards Nuclear Power - With governments becoming more hesitant about using nuclear power, there is an opportunity to explore alternative uses for decommissioned power plants and address public concerns.
Industry Implications
1. Amusement Park - The success of Wunderland Kalkar suggests a potential market for repurposing decommissioned power plants into unique and profitable amusement park experiences.
2. Architecture and Design - The adaptive design of Wunderland Kalkar showcases the potential for architects and designers to transform abandoned structures into innovative and appealing destinations.
3. Energy and Infrastructure - The changing attitudes towards nuclear power create an opportunity for the energy and infrastructure industry to explore alternative uses for decommissioned power plants and contribute to sustainability efforts.