Post-mining landscapes and their endogenous development potential for small- and medium-sized towns: Examples from Central Europe

•Highlights different forms of post-mining potentials and their impact on regional development, especially for small and medium-sized towns.•Shows qualitative methodological approach in assessing projects utilizing natural, landscape-based potentials.•Provides an overview and examples for the utilisation of natural, landscape potentials in post-mining regions of central Europe.•Discusses frame work conditions for valorising these potentials.•Summaries the possible impact of utilisation of natural potentials in small and medium –sized mining towns in central Europe.