Scholarly record

FADING INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE OF BRATISLAVA IN THE URBAN PLANNING CONTEXT

N. Bartosova

Abstract

The paper analyses the issues of Bratislava’s industrial heritage that are related to urban planning, addressing the inappropriateness of many locations chosen historically for development of industry. The objective is to identify less obvious factors that have impact on optimal development of formerly industrial zones, and explain why consideration of a broader urban structure is crucial for the assessment of any situation occurring within it, including the endeavour for heritage conservation or sustainable re-use. In addition to the methods of standard historical research, qualitative research was applied to obtain relevant information. The scope covered several examples of industrial heritage, to examine and present various types of examples to display the diversity that occurs in the area of Bratislava. The outcomes of the study highlight important factors that have to be taken into account when a former industrial zone is incorporated into the city fabric. Findings delivered via different cases offer both examples of industrial heritage that has a potential to be re-used – while the selected historical values are conserved – and examples that appear conflictual. Either due to the type of industry it used to accommodate and possible contamination and/or due to the character of the site concerned, that does not have optimal urban qualities. In the effort to retain the most valuable from the remaining industrial heritage in Bratislava, the sole focus on traditional historical and architectural values does not help to identify the best strategies for inclusion of previous industrial sites into the urban structure. Examples presented in the study prove that there are other factors that should be incorporated into the discourse at the earliest stages, and that the awareness of a wider spectrum of aspects increases the likeliness that the available resources will be allocated in a sustainable manner to the worthwhile cases.

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