Industrial heritage as a potential for redevelopment of post-industrial areas in Austria

Abstract

The paper aims at examining the current policy and practice on rehabilitation of former industrial areas in Austria, with special focus on industrial heritage and its social and economic potentials. Often neglected, industrial places are today valuable sites with alternative aesthetics and after-use concepts such as living, cultural events, leisure or greening urban areas. The assumption is that regeneration of industrial areas needs the inclusion of local groups, in order to preserve the place identity and to initiate a beneficial re-use of the heritage site. Consequently the authors pay special attention to the planning processes and the positive effects of civil and creative development initiatives. The used methodology is based on qualitative and quantitative methods, including case studies, qualitative interviews and data analysis.