Transforming the waterfronts of former industrial canals
This website aims to present many years-worth of research into the potential of Industrial Waterways as a source of cultural and economic wealth for their hosting cities.
The reuse of the ever-growing amount of abandoned industrial areas in contemporary cities involves many tasks: firstly, to re-integrate these forgotten lands into their immediate and usually urban surroundings; |
secondly, to repair the drastically altered landscapes; finally, it means understanding, discovering and supporting regional and local identities that are strongly connected to these sites.
In the past, water was the central feature in the development of industry. As infrastructure, it gave a competitive advantage to industrial enterprise and it was a dynamic force in its growth. |
Nowadays, the body of water serves as view rather than an activity engaging space.
Architects and educators should focus their interest on dismissed industrial areas and educate the new generation of architects not only to enhance heritage values but also to disseminate the knowledge of sustainable design in their professional field. The Province North-Brabant contributed in funding this research work. |
Irene Curulli © 2020 Industrial Waterways