Industrial Heritage and Local Community
The involvement of community in heritage remains a critical factor for sustainable heritage management policies and practices as it was noted above.This relates to any type of heritage and is particularly relevant to industrial heritage,which is considered as one of the most contemporary types of heritage,which can be easier reused compared to other older buildings and structures.Indeed,the built aspect of industrial heritage often consists of large buildings,complexes of structures and big spaces that are not used for industrial purposes anymore and they can host a number of uses and activities when treated appropriately.Industrial heritage,however,does not only mean factories,foundries,mines and quarries but it is also essentially an integral part of the societal history of industrial communities today(Wang,2004).Therefore,industrial heritage is inextricably linked with society and communities today while in a number of places people in adjacent communities still have memories and experiences of these industrial buildings and places while in use.In an era that space becomes limited in big cities around the world abandoned industrial buildings provide big spaces that can be used not only as indicators and physical reminders of industrial heritage but as spaces that can accommodate current needs.Adaptive reuse of industrial buildings has become a trend in different parts of the world and there is a big number of examples in Europe and the US from which we can trace the type and benefits of this reuse as well as the way that it has been pursued.Adaptive reuse relates to“change of use”in the original structure,fabric of a building for extending the life of property(Wilkinson et al.,2014).However,the regions in China are qualitatively different(Wang,2004)and therefore understanding the local context and the specificities is crucial for a meaningful and well functioned reuse which is supported and welcomed by the local communities.
Reuse of industrial heritage has become more popular in China recently.The change of the industrial landscape and dynamics in the late 1990s led to industrial decline leaving behind a number of abandoned and derelict industries and industrial districts(Chen et al.,2016).Therefore,the restoration and revival of the old industrial sites became an urgent task for local authorities and the government.While the type and way of regeneration and reuse varies in different areas in China,in most cases it started from inner-city industrial heritage as it was close to residential areas and established infrastructure.The patterns of reuse vary from spontaneous reuse by the artists in the 1990s,especially in Beijing and Shanghai,due to the low cost of occupying and establishing workshop in these spaces,to state driven regeneration in the 2010s.Somewhere in between lies the involvement of local government which often promoted the reuse of industrial buildings by artists while in the 2000s private developers also became interested in regeneration,forming usually public-private partnerships with the local governments.Finally,the role of state intervention has been increasing in regulating industrial land and the development of cultural industries(Zheng,2011;Ren and Sun,2012;Tsu-Lung,2012;Zielke and Waibel,2013;Liu et al.,2013).While local community involvement has not been part of the official processes of heritage regeneration,it is now clear that further interventions and decisions about the reuse and revival of industrial heritage will need to take into consideration the local communities.
As industrial heritage reuse and community involvement in this process in China are in early stages,there are some useful lessons that can be learnt from countries that have a long history and experience in industrial heritage regeneration,such as the case of the UK.Indeed,the UK has been dealing with industrial heritage in the last 60 years and has been amongst the pioneers in industrial heritage regeneration.Since 1973 UK has promoted industrial heritage landscapes as World Heritage Sites and played a decisive role in the creation of TICCIH(The International Committee for the Conservation of Industrial Heritage).With the inscription Ironbridge Gorge as a World Heritage site in 1986 the UK paved the way for the recognition of industrial landscapes as a whole rather than as fragmented individual sites(Falconer,2006).Industrial heritage reuse has been gaining momentum and a large number of different types of industrial heritage sites have attracted various uses.Museums and visitor centres,creative businesses and artistic hubs,residential uses,hotels and venues for events have been some of the most dominant trends in industrial heritage reuse in the UK.While the context is different compared to China,it is worthwhile briefly mentioning some of the general lessons that have been learnt from industrial heritage regeneration programmes as identified by Historic England(2018):
In general,mixed used developments in larger industrial heritage sites are quite successful,as they incorporate a number of uses and are capable of attracting and maintaining population in the area.What is particularly significant here is the exploration of people that will be related to the sites and therefore community involvement and participation can significantly help to the identification of the relevant population and its role in the development and management process.
Industrial buildings are often suitable for small businesses especially those related to creative industries.This requires some research prior to the project in order to identify the target audience and ideally to involve it in the process.
A minimalist approach,which focuses on the use while maintaining the original industrial character of the structure,is usually effective.A long-term planning which involves phasing on what to be done over certain periods of time and with some sort of estimation on potential changes can be important.
Concerning the regeneration of larger scale industrial heritage sites,a consideration of change in the wider area may be necessary before the site becomes viable.The consideration of adjacent communities and their engagement can be crucial in the successful planning and delivering of the project.
All the above points may be taken as useful lessons capable of informing potential industrial heritage regeneration/reuse projects with respect to the encounter of the specific context.What also appears to be a common denominator of the effectiveness and success of such schemes is the consideration of the social factor and the involvement of the relevant population and communities.Indeed,the engagement of the relevant stakeholders and local communities is now considered as an integral part of heritage related policies and practices in the UK,recognizing the significance of participation processes.Whilst there is a number of examples that we can refer to,we deliberately choose to present the case of Ironbridge Gorge,as it is an extensive industrial heritage site,which paved the way for listing industrial landscapes and in which public engagement and local community involvement has played and still plays a significant role in its protection,development and current use-condition.
Ironbridge Gorge is considered as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the“beacon of industrial heritage”(Report on the Challenges Facing the Industrial Heritage Sector,All-Party Parliamentary Group on Industrial Heritage,2018).It includes the world's first bridge constructed of iron,a universal symbol of the Industrial Revolution.It is home to ten museums and the largest independent museum in Europe.It involves a living and working community of approximately 4 000 people.(https://www.daowen.com)
The Management Plan which was completed relatively recently(2017)places people at the heart of the site,consisting“a consensual view of the members of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Steering Group,following consultation with the local community and relevant organisations and agencies”(The Management Plan,2017).The Plan has been agreed among various stakeholders and property owners.
Community involvement has been central at the vision for the World Heritage site,which envisages Ironbridge Gorge to survive as a living community.The Management Plan,indeed recognises change which necessitates adaptation to new needs,acknowledging that this is an“organic”change and a part of a living community.The Plan seeks to protect the historic importance of the site and the wider area and also its attributes as a place to live in,work in or visit or essentially as a living organism.A steering group involving people from the local community has been formed prior to the Plan and it was determined to make the Plan an active and precise document that is accessible to everyone.Some of the most specific actions that were taken in order to further encourage community and wider public participation are the following:
●The communication of the value of the site with local communities.Local community was not initially fully aware of the site's value and actions were taken in order to approach the local population,increase their awareness and provide information about the site.One of the most crucial actions was the installation of upgrades to both the mobile network and high-speed broadband services which allowed the use of digital communication across the community.Hence,not only could people be reached out more easily and receive information for the site but this also provided an incentive to people to stay in the area being able to connect with the“outside”world much faster.
●Various community facilities and services such as a school,doctors'surgery,chemist,churches,post office,and community halls have been established.This has been crucial in maintaining the current population.●Consultation with residents and businesses for proposals regarding further development and improvements in the area has been encouraged.
●Traditional industrial processes were encouraged and taught in various areas in the site through demonstrations.This allowed people to come closer to the life in the past in the area and understand the living practices and conditions.
●Lifelong learning was established throughout the World Heritage site.A number of events and programmes teaching different subjects and skills to people of different ages engaged a number of people not only from the local community but also from the wider area.Attracting the interest of younger people has also been one of the main areas of focus.For these reasons Ironbridge Gorge partnered up with industry and businesses which have been offering opportunities to younger people to get involved in the industry and cultivate an interest in the site throughout their involvement.In addition,open days have been organised for secondary school age,demonstrating the relevance of industrial heritage to modern engineering.Engaging modern industry by organising relevant workshops and educational programmes such as coding workshops has been particularly popular with younger population.
●Volunteer programmes that teach and coach participants on the distinctive heritage in the area have been expanded.A big part of Ironbridge Gorge success lies in the big number of enthusiastic and active volunteers who work for the site.
●Several activities focused on the environmental and natural attributes of the site providing opportunities for engagement in the development of environmental stewardship learning and the promotion of this aspect of the site too.
All the above actions and initiatives have played a major role in the sustainable development and management of Ironbridge Gorge,which is in a position to function independently without the need for state financial support.Public and community engagement have been at the heart of the Management Plan and of the entire management process taking various forms:from awareness to involvement and to decision making.People now better understand the value of the site not only for historic or aesthetic purposes but also the assets and opportunities that the site provides to pragmatic aspects of their lives.Ironbridge Gorge constitutes a good example of heritage management and community engagement which can inspire relevant heritage management programmes in various contexts.