Examined in theory – applicable in practice. Potentials of industrial heritage in the contemporary context. City of Belgrade

Abstract

Although it represents an important typology of cultural heritage, industrial heritage was unjustifiably neglected from the perspective of its preservation until the beginning of the 21st century. In addition to the observed need for protection, revitalisation and presentation of the value of industrial heritage as equally valuable material and immaterial remains of the past, the need for its integration into the contemporary context is increasingly being observed through examining the potential of its reuse. Therefore, at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Architecture, as part of classes in the field of industrial heritage preservation, through a defined multidisciplinary approach, the possibilities for the protection of the industrial heritage, preservation of the authenticity and spirit of the place, but also improvement of the industrial heritage's condition through the research of the potential of its reuse following contemporary needs are examined. The subject of this research refers to characteristical examples of the industrial heritage of the city of Belgrade, within which the possibilities of their preservation and reuse in the contemporary context were examined. The applied research methodology, which includes a combination of theoretical and in situ research, represents a multidisciplinary approach within which selected case studies are examined concerning their natural, urban architectural, historical and symbolic context. The research results are presented through students' conceptual solutions for preserving, integrating and reusing selected industrial heritage case studies. The presented students' conceptual solutions, which are created based on a previously defined set of criteria that ensure the simultaneous preservation of the recognised values of industrial heritage and their improvement, represent an essential contribution to the development of thoughts about the position and potential of the reuse of industrial heritage in the contemporary context. The special contribution of this research refers to the possibilities of applying the theoretical research methodology in practice on concrete case studies of revitalisation, adaptation and reuse of industrial heritage.