Sustainable Development and Urbanism

Morpho-functional Aspects
STRUCTURE, DE-STRUCTURE, RE-STRUCTURE:
THE SECOND LIFE OF INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
PhDs. Arch. Raluca-Maria TRIFA*
* Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest
e mail: trifa_raluca@yahoo.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raluca-Maria Trifa graduated in 2009 from Politehnica University,
Faculty of Architecture, Timisoara. Currently enrolled in a PhD Program with a
thesis on industrial heritage, since 2011 the author is part of the Teaching
Staff at Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest.
ABSTRACT
Structure, De-Structure, Re-Structure: The Second Life of
Industrial Heritage
The existence of abandoned industrial sites within the urban centers
represents one of the pressing problems of todays architectural heritage. If
at the beginning the last century, these complexes were located outside the
city, today with the expansion of urban boundaries, the industrial sites have
become an integral part of the city, dominating a vast territory. The
constructions dedicated to industrial architecture represent a special
category of heritage, clearly expressing the different phases of
transformation undergone by society over the years. In addition, the
industrial architecture, through its tangible and intangible components is an
evidence to human innovation and creativity. Nevertheless, the industrial
complex does not excite the public interest as other types of historical
monuments do, being considered inferior in terms of value and treated as
such. Abandoned and demolished, some of the most important industrial
buildings in Romania became ghost -witnesses of a bygone era.
The evolution of the modern city caused a series of changes in relation
to industrial architecture units: from peripheral points, they become core

elements within the urban organism. Witness to the evolution of the modern
city, the existing industrial heritage deserves a second chance, by preserving
the valuable elements and proposing new ways of use. The restructuring of
the urban tissue must not ignore the valuable buildings dedicated to this
architectural program, the former industrial areas becoming a key tool in
urban regeneration projects.
In this regard, a series of questions arise: Can the industrial unit
become once again a landmark for the community? What are the factors that
determine the new way of using the industrial buildings? What functions are
appropriate for a former industrial complex? How can we intervene on an
industrial heritage building, while respecting its authenticity and adapting it
to new functions? What kind of strategies can be adopted in the regeneration
process of a former industrial heritage site? The answer to these questions is
discussed In the present article.
Key words: industrial heritage, cultural value, use value, urban
regeneration