Industrial Heritage Sites Research Articles

Industrial Heritage and Cultural Clusters: More Than a Temporary Affair?

The transformation of industrial heritage buildings into cultural clusters has emerged as a prominent topic of academic research in urban planning, urban studies, heritage conservation, and architecture. Cultural clusters, defined as geographically concentrated cultural activities and organisations, have become a key instrument in urban regeneration, fostering economic growth and cultural development. Despite the benefits that cultural clusters offer in terms of fostering cultural activity, they often prove to be short-lived due to various external factors, including urban regeneration pressures, shifts in policy, and changes in zoning regulations. This thematic issue presents seven case studies that offer insights into the current state of cultural clusters, their transient nature, and the conditions necessary to guarantee their long-term sustainability in industrial heritage sites. The research is particularly relevant in light of the mounting pressure on urban land, where industrial heritage sites are frequently repurposed for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.

Spatial Politics of Cultural Production: Negotiating Workspaces and Resisting Displacement at Industrial Heritage Sites in Berlin

Derelict industrial spaces have been crucial spatial resources for artists and cultural production for decades, often forming vibrant cultural clusters. However, these spaces are increasingly threatened by speculative real-estate development and displacement through more “productive” creative industries. The case of Alte Münze in Berlin provides empirical insight into the politics, practices, and strategies essential for preserving these heritage sites in the long term for cultural use. This research underscores the need for supportive planning regulations that combine cultural policy with urban planning, advocate for public-civic partnerships, and promote public or community-based ownership models. The findings extend to small-scale manufacturers and businesses facing similar challenges in maintaining workspaces amid competitive urban land use pressures.

Temporal insights into mega-events and waterfront industrial heritage transformation: a case study of Shanghai’s Huangpu River industrial zone

This research examines the evolution and renewal of Shanghai’s Huangpu River industrial zone after the 2010 Shanghai Expo, with a temporal focus on the profound changes and development philosophies driven by this mega-event. By investigating emblematic case studies along the Huangpu River, such as the transformative 80,000-ton silo, the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Long Museum, this research articulates how mega-events serve as pivotal moments for reimagining and repurposing industrial heritage. In the wake of the 2010 Shanghai Expo, these industrial relics emerged as focal points of urban regeneration, embodying the tensions and synergies between historical preservation and contemporary urban development. This study explores the temporal layers—from the event’s catalytic role to enduring legacies—and reveals how time influences the trajectory of urban spaces and the community’s connection to them. Through this temporal lens, the paper analyses the redevelopment process, assessing how these initiatives have reconfigured the industrial waterfront into a dynamic cultural landscape. The findings offer a dynamic perspective on the temporal dimensions that underpin the redevelopment of industrial heritage sites, providing insights into how such spaces can be continuously activated and symbiotically integrated into the fabric of the city. This paper aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the complexities involved in harnessing industrial heritage for mega-events, with implications for future urban planning and heritage conservation strategies.

In Situ Conductive Heating for Thermal Desorption of Volatile Organic-Contaminated Soil Based on Solar Energy

A novel conductive heating method using solar energy for soil remediation was introduced in this work. Contaminated industrial heritage sites will affect the sustainable development of the local ecological environment and the surrounding air environment, and frequent exposure will have a negative impact on human health. Soil thermal desorption is an effective means to repair contaminated soil, but thermal desorption is accompanied by a large amount of energy consumption and secondary pollution. Therefore, a trough solar heat collection desorption system (TSHCDS) is proposed, which is applied to soil thermal desorption technology. The effects of different water inlet temperature, water inlet velocity and soil porosity on the evolution of soil temperature field were discussed. The temperature field of contaminated soil can be numerically simulated, and a small experimental platform is built to verify the accuracy of the numerical model for simulation research. It is concluded that the heating effect is the best when the water entry temperature is the highest, at 70 °C, and the temperature of test point 4 is increased by 50.71% and 1.42%, respectively. When the inlet water flow rate is increased from 0.1 m/s to 0.2 m/s, the heating effect is significantly improved; when the inlet water flow rate is increased from 0.5 m/s to 1.5 m/s, the heating effect is not significantly improved. Therefore, when the flow rate is greater than a certain value, the heating effect is not significantly improved. The simulation analysis of soil with different porosity shows that larger porosity will affect the thermal diffusivity, which will make the heat transfer effect worse and reduce the heating effect. The effects of soil temperature distribution on the removal of petroleum hydrocarbon C6–C9 and trichloroethylene (TCE) were studied. The results showed that in the thermal desorption process of petroleum hydrocarbon C6–C9-contaminated soil, the removal rate of pollutants increased significantly when the average soil temperature reached 80 °C. In the thermal desorption of trichloroethylene-contaminated soil, when the thermal desorption begins, the soil temperature rises rapidly and reaches the target temperature, and a large number of pollutants are removed. At the end of thermal desorption, the removal of both types of pollutants reached the target repair value. This study provides a new feasible method for soil thermal desorption.

Resistance to Being Listed Industrial Heritage? The Conflicts and Dilemma of Heritage-Making During Land Banking in Guangzhou

Amid rapid urban regeneration over the past decade, industrial heritage conservation in China has garnered increasing attention, focusing more on the reuse of listed buildings than on conflicts in the inscription process. This article examines the conflicts and dilemmas between urban redevelopment and industrial heritage conservation during the inscription process in China, through five case studies in Guangzhou. It aims to provide both an understanding of conflicts and institutional challenges posed by land banking, and insights into stakeholder dynamics, the role of media and NGOs, and the implementation of cultural heritage assessments. Grounded in the Institutional Analysis and Development framework, the empirical studies reveal that institutional conflicts, particularly resistance from land development centers and former factory owners, often stem from financial motivations. This resistance can lead to the premature demolition of potential heritage sites but also drive institutional innovations. Guangzhou’s introduction of the Wenping assessment system integrates industrial heritage identification with land banking and urban regeneration planning, aiming to protect heritage from hasty demolitions. Media coverage and NGO advocacy have been instrumental in heritage-making and prompting policy responses. The adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites into creative industrial parks faces challenges from their temporary nature and land banking pressures, underscoring the need for policies ensuring stable and enduring reuse. Ambiguous responsibilities and fragmented management systems further impede effective heritage conservation.

Dominant discourses framing the reuse of industrial heritage in the context of mega-events: a relationship matrix approach

The reuse of industrial heritage sites has become increasingly prevalent in the context of hosting mega-events. This paper aims to investigate this trend, specifically in the context of Olympic Games or World Expos, and its impact on urban regeneration strategies. It introduces a methodological tool, namely, the relationship matrix, to identify key factors from ‘best practices’ criteria for managing industrial sites and planning mega-event legacies. We use this matrix to address two research objectives, namely, to determine the role of industrial heritage reuse in mega-event urban projects and to evaluate whether this creates a favourable environment for place-making. This matrix enables us to compare and analyse the Shanghai 2010 World Expo and the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games as illustrative case studies. While guidelines and strategies for mega-events and industrial heritage have evolved towards a proactive people-centred approach, our findings still reveal a bias towards material renewal in dominant discourses during the planning phase. This bias often overlooks or even excludes the memories and experiences of local communities.

Industrial Heritage and Citizen Participation: The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ivrea, Italy

The article explores the dynamics of community involvement in managing the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ivrea, Italy, designated as the “Industrial City of the 20th Century” in 2018. Ivrea is known for its historical connection to the Olivetti factory, whose existence shaped the town’s material and immaterial identity. The UNESCO-designated area in the north of the city features a mix of diverse buildings from the 1930s to the 1960s, serving various purposes and a variety of cultural activities. The research, commissioned as part of a larger project for updating the Site Management Plan by the Municipality of Ivrea, the managing authority of the UNESCO Site, aims to critically employ participatory approaches in the Management Plans of industrial heritage sites, analyse their role in preserving industrial heritage, and identify a new future for the city where cultural and creative industries play a vital role, or, in other words, to develop the site of Ivrea as a permanent cultural cluster. By employing an action-research methodology rooted in multidisciplinary and participatory approaches, this study focuses on the key role of residents and their connection to the industrial cultural heritage and the city to envision the site’s future. Initial findings from semi-structured interviews reveal a limited awareness of the Site Management Plan in the community and underscore the need for enhanced participatory governance. The article highlights how the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, particularly youth, yield innovative ideas, paving the way for social advancement, economic sustainability, and local promotion. Ultimately, this study envisions the UNESCO World Heritage Site as a central component of the city’s identity and a catalyst for the well-being of the involved communities.

UNESCO, mining heritage and the scalar sustainability of tourism geographies at industrial World Heritage Sites

PurposeIndustrial heritage works within a world of contradictions, contentions and scalar liminality. Archaeologists and historians focus upon oral histories and discourses of tangible and intangible memory and heritage while planners and economists see industrial World Heritage, in particular, as a marketing ploy to redevelop deindustrialized spaces. Within this liminality, we explore the potential for geographical perspectives to solder such contradictions into transdisciplinary heritage assessments and tourism contexts. How might the spatial tools of landscape and scalar analyses expose alternative and sustainable futures within broader patterns of industrial heritage management and consumption?Design/methodology/approachUsing three comparative cases, interview and landscape methods and conducting discourse analysis within a spatial and scalar framework, we explore the increasing presence of industrial World Heritage.FindingsWe present both an institutional reflection upon the complexities of heritage discourse across complex spatial configurations and the intersectional historical, cultural, political, environmental and economic geographies that guide and emerge out of World Heritage Designations. Framed scalarly and spatially, we highlight common interpretation, tourism and heritage management styles and concerns found across industrial World Heritage. We point out trans-scalar considerations for future municipalities and regions looking to utilize their industrial landscapes and narratives.Originality/valueWe believe that more theoretical groundings in space and scale may lead to both the flexibility and the applicability needed to assess and, in turn, manage trans-scalar and trans-spatial complex heritage sites. These perspectives may be uniquely poised to assess the complex geographies of industrial, particularly mining, World Heritage Sites.

Research on the design of narrative space construction: a case study of the revitalization project of the Macau Lychee Bowl Shipyard

ABSTRACT This study investigates the revitalization project of the Macao Lychee Bowl Shipyard, an industrial heritage site, aiming to uncover the expressive mechanism of narrativity within public spaces and thereby forge a fresh understanding of contemporary narrative space creation. Employing qualitative research methods such as participatory observation, spatial photography, literature review, and historical data gathering, the study unveils practical approaches for crafting narrative spaces in design research. These encompass multiple aspects, including the preservation and innovation of heritage value, the integration of social issues, user engagement, symbolism and expressiveness, non-verbal narratives, cultural and skill reproduction. The findings reveal that through governmental steering, project strategizing, community involvement, design competitions, and educational initiatives, the Lychee Bowl Shipyard has undergone a successful transformation into a versatile public space. This endeavor not only ensures the preservation of industrial heritage but also rejuvenates the site’s charm and cultural dynamism. The study offers a suite of strategies and practical avenues grounded in narrative space creation for the revitalization of industrial heritage, serving as a guiding beacon for heritage conservation, urban development, and communal engagement.

The study on the relationship between perceived value, satisfaction, and tourist loyalty at industrial heritage sites

The legacy of industry reflects a city's journey and marks its cultural essence, highlighting the significance of preserving and promoting such historical assets. There is a noticeable gap in the discourse surrounding the intrinsic value of industrial heritage attractions and their impact on the fidelity of tourists. In light of this, the present investigation, rooted in the ABC attitude framework, examines the linkage between the perceived value, contentment, and allegiance of initial visitors to these sites. The study delves into the intermediary function of contentment and the variable influence of gender. Focusing on the Maoming Open-pit Ecological Park as a case in point, this research gathered and scrutinized 320 valid questionnaires. The outcomes demonstrate that the perceived value exerts a positive effect on both the satisfaction and the steadfastness of tourists. Satisfaction is identified as an intermediary between perceived value and tourist steadfastness. Additionally, gender plays a notable role in moderating specific aspects of the model. This inquiry aids in harnessing the potential of industrial heritage sites for the advancement of tourism, fostering economic prosperity and the rebirth of cultural practices. Furthermore, it lays down essential theoretical and practical building blocks for the evolution of industrial heritage as a tourism asset.

Industrial Heritage and Pathways for Cultural-Creative Development in Bamberg, Germany

This article contributes to the ongoing authorized heritage discourse, following recent heritage concepts such as open heritage, and examines the industrial heritage and pathways for cultural-creative development in the city of Bamberg, Germany. Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but not on account of its industrial heritage, although some former industrial sites are located within the borders of the current World Heritage Site. We describe three adaptively reused sites that have slightly differing forms of protected status (listed building and ensemble) and show that authorized listing helps to ensure the survival of buildings and material structures over time as documents of an industrial past. However, other industrial sites need the engagement of locals, and refer to what Laurajane Smith describes as heritage as a cultural process. Diverse concepts and cultural-creative developments are evident in the reuse of industrial sites in Bamberg, but these contribute little to urban development strategies. When industrial heritage assets feature in the city’s development strategy, they are seemingly leveraged to drive real estate projects, such as at the former Erba textile site. Additionally, the Otto-Friedrich University (through its Am Zwinger building), and an engaged bottom-up initiative to reuse a former boiler house, enable slightly different development pathways—knowledge-based versus art-based, respectively. The university has a long-term perspective and promising impulses for heritage uses, whereas the Kunstraum (Art House) initiative still struggles to secure support for its medium-term prospects. We argue that the industrial heritage sites need authorized support <em>and</em> agency through engagement, to ensure long-term perspectives for cultural-creative uses.

Heritage and identity: The vernacular transformation of de tjolomadoe

Background: This research paper focuses on the adaptive reuse of the De Tjolomadoe (Colomadu) heritage sugar factory within the field of vernacular architecture. Method: Utilizing qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews, site observations, and archival analysis, it examines the preservation of industrial heritage through its integration into vernacular architectural practices, yielding insights for sustainable development. Findings: The De Tjolomadoe factory, a prominent Indonesian historical and cultural landmark, serves as a compelling case study in adaptive reuse, offering significant findings. Firstly, it illustrates how adaptive reuse effectively preserves cultural identity by seamlessly blending vernacular design elements and traditional building techniques, thereby maintaining a strong connection to its historical and cultural heritage. Secondly, the De Tjolomadoe case exemplifies adaptive reuse as a sustainable development strategy. By utilizing local resources and adhering to vernacular construction methods, the project minimizes environmental impact while generating economic and social benefits for the community. Community engagement emerges as a crucial factor in the success of adaptive reuse projects, as actively involving local communities ensures the authenticity and relevance of such initiatives. Moreover, the transformation of the De Tjolomadoe factory into a cultural destination underscores its substantial economic impact on the region. Similar adaptive reuse projects have the potential to boost tourism, stimulate local economies, and preserve cultural heritage. Conclusion: The lessons drawn from the De Tjolomadoe case offer practical insights and principles guiding future adaptive reuse endeavours, emphasizing cultural preservation, sustainability, community participation, and economic viability. Novelty/Originality of this article: These findings contribute to the growing knowledge base on the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites within the context of vernacular architecture, inspiring and informing initiatives aimed at revitalizing our industrial heritage for future generations.

A value assessment system for the conservation and utilization of decentralized distilleries in the architectural heritage of the brewing industry: a case study of Yibin city, China

ABSTRACT With a brewing history spanning over four millennia, Yibin city is adorned with myriad traditional distilleries that have dotted its landscape since ancient times. In recent years, industrial architectural heritage has approached the forefront of cultural heritage research, presenting new opportunities and challenges for the preservation and utilization of industrial architectural heritage sites, including distilleries. Employing field investigations and a multidisciplinary approach, this study uses data on 62 distilleries that are industrial architectural heritage sites. The analysis delves into the distribution, composition, and architectural features of the sample data, considering both production and nonproduction elements. Subsequently, the quantification of historical, societal, technological, artistic, and economic value enables an assessment, establishing an appropriate evaluation system. The research outcomes are intended to offer technical support for the conservation and utilization of heritage sites in the brewing industry, while concurrently serving as a reference for the preservation and utilization of distinctive architectural buildings in local industrial heritage sites.

Eco-Revelatory: The Missing Link in the Development of Adaptive Landscape to Industrial Heritage Sites

ABSTRACT Adaptive reuse of industrial heritage paves the way for revitalization, new use, and achievement of dynamism and sustainability. The aim of the present study is to access the missing link in developing a landscape model adaptable to industrial heritage sites. The present study was conducted within a qualitative approach framework and used the grounded theory method. Qualitative data analysis of the research was performed by MAXQDA2020 software, and based on the results, a paradigm model of adaptive industrial heritage landscape was explained. The research results include causal conditions (physical), core category (environmental), contextual conditions (historical, infrastructural), intervening conditions (economic, technology), strategies (policies and laws), and consequences (social, cultural). According to the identified components of the adaptability of industrial heritage to the landscape, the concept of Eco-Revelatory was extracted. It also states that the missing link is the adaptability of landscape and Eco-Revelatory industrial heritage, the use of which leads to the dynamism and stability of industrial heritage.

Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development: Major Themes and Research Trajectories

Our research endeavors to uncover patterns and understand the intellectual framework of studies on cultural heritage management and sustainable development. In this study, we utilize secondary data sourced from the Scopus database. We retrieved and downloaded 185 documents for subsequent analysis. The data was subjected to bibliometric analysis for thorough examination. The analysis exposed six melodies, i.e., Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Urban Development; Sustainable Development and Management of Cultural Heritage; Cultural Heritage and Vernacular Architecture; Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage Sites and Urban Regeneration; Heritage Management and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); World Heritage Sites and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), respectively. This study makes contributions both academically and within the community. The study provides important insights into the most influential journals, countries, and articles, which is academically essential. Also, six major themes that significantly contribute to the domain of cultural heritage management and sustainable development literature are presented, and they also provide an avenue for future research. Defending biological diversity, ecosystem services, cultural heritage, and associated values is crucial on the communal front. It should be the mainstay for achieving economic and social growth of local communities with environmental sustainability.

Preserving the Spirit of Place in Cultural Regeneration of Modern Industrial Heritage Sites - Focusing on international cases -

Preserving the Spirit of Place in Cultural Regeneration of Modern Industrial Heritage Sites - Focusing on international cases -

Role of State Authorities in Preserving Industrial Heritage of Chelyabinsk Region (1960s-1980s)

This article aims to identify the role and contribution of state authorities in the Chelyabinsk region during the 1960s-1980s in preserving industrial heritage sites. The relevance of this study is driven by the urgent need to draw attention of governmental structures to the issue of destruction of remaining monuments of industrial past. The primary sources utilized are archival materials concentrated in the Unified State Archive of the Chelyabinsk region, with many documents being introduced into scholarly circulation for the first time. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the absence of prior research on this topic. The tasks of state bodies in the field of monument protection according to existing regulatory acts of the specified period are identified. The research demonstrates that the most significant contribution was made towards identification, registration, and study of industrial heritage sites, with 43 objects receiving monument status by 1989. However, activities related to repair, restoration, and museumification of registered monuments proved less productive, as only one industrial heritage site had been museumified by 1989. This was attributed to insufficient oversight by state authorities regarding the preservation and utilization procedures of registered monuments.

Research on Adaptive Reuse Strategy of Industrial Heritage Based on the Method of Social Network

With the deceleration of urban expansion, the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage buildings has emerged as a novel area of research. In previous times, the majority of approaches to adapting industrial heritage buildings relied on experiential knowledge, which lacked the ability to objectively assess the relationship between spaces and engage in rational planning. However, the social network analysis method offers an objective and comprehensive means of perceiving the spatial structure and analyzing its issues from a detached perspective. This study presents a proposal for addressing three spatial challenges encountered during the conversion of industrial heritage buildings into public buildings. It also suggests spatial optimization strategies to overcome these challenges. The Sanlinqiao Thermal Bottle Factory is selected as the research subject, and a spatial network structure model is constructed to analyze the existing issues using the social network analysis method. The proposed spatial optimization strategies are then applied, and the optimized space is evaluated through a re-analysis of the spatial layout. The spatial utilization rate has been significantly improved, leading to an effective enhancement of the spatial vitality of the site. This study presents a spatial strategy aimed at converting industrial heritage buildings into public buildings, thereby offering valuable insights for similar projects involving the transformation of industrial heritage sites.

Regeneration of industrial heritage: a study on the feasibility of expanding into campus space

With the rapid pace of urbanization, campuses are confronted with the challenge of increasingly limited land resources. Traditional campus planning has proven inadequate in meeting the growing educational demands. In this context, exploring the feasibility of repurposing industrial heritage sites for campus space has emerged as a crucial research topic, offering valuable opportunities to expand campus facilities. This paper takes the regeneration design of industrial heritage along the Jiangsu Canal as an illustrative example and analyzes its potential value, modes of reuse, and design strategies. It further investigates how these sites can be transformed into educational spaces within a campus setting. Through practical applications in industrial heritage regeneration design, this paper explores three dimensions: adaptive integration with external spatial environments, functional replacement within internal structures, adaptive reconstruction of space layouts, and renewal of architectural forms. Ultimately, feasible strategies for regenerating and expanding industrial heritage into campus spaces are summarized herein, providing novel ideas and methodologies for future campus expansion endeavors. Concurrently, we hope to raise awareness among all sectors of society regarding the protection and reuse of industrial heritage while collectively promoting sustainable development in this field.

Economic value assessment of industrial heritage in Tangshan, China

Industrial heritage is a legacy from the past that we live with today and pass on to future generations. The economic value of this heritage can be defined as the amount of welfare that it generates for society, and this value should not be ignored. However, current research based on economic analysis has mostly focused on qualitative statements instead of quantitative assessment. This study proposes an innovative methodology combining qualitative (field research) and quantitative (willingness to pay and contingent valuation) methods to assess the economic value of industrial heritage. The industrial heritage of Tangshan, China, was chosen as a case study, and the research found that museums and cultural creative parks are effective ways to conserve industrial heritage. The entrance fee can be used to represent the economic value of the heritage site. There was a positive correlation between the influence of economic value and the entrance fees residents would prefer to pay. The results indicate the locals would prefer lower entrance fees for the transformed heritage museums (The average current cost: $2.23). Locals were most concerned about the entrance fees for the Kailuan Coal Mine and Qixin Cement Plant Museums, which have both been renewed as urban landmarks for city tourism. Renewal methods have been applied to six industrial heritage sites in Tangshan; these sites have their own conservation and renewal practices based on city-level development or industrial attributes. Thus, when residents recognize the economic value of a heritage site, they are willing to pay a higher entrance fee. This research demonstrates the economic value of industrial heritage using a mixed methods approach and provides a basis for assessing the value of cultural heritage for urban tourism analysis.