Key issues in successfull tranformations of industral heritage

Much of our industrial heritage lost its function in the transition from an industrial to a more service-based economy. Meantime, changing consumer preferences have shortened the functional and economic life cycle of buildings to such an extent that many have become vacant and obsolete. Developers tend to prefer to demolish such buildings and redevelop the entire site in an effort to solve the mismatch between supply and demand. However, from society’s point of view, conversion to new functions is much more appropriate. Industrial heritage has much to tell about the spirit and socio-economic aspects of bygone eras and architectural concepts and often contributes to the identity of the neighbourhood or the city as well. It is virtually impossible to reproduce the intrinsic qualities of industrial heritage in new developments. In addition, preservation promotes sustainability as it cuts down on materials and transport. On the other hand, many investors and developers worry about the high costs and risks of conversions to bring existing buildings into line with new user requirements and legislation.
In this paper we discuss ways in which the various stakeholders in transformation projects cope with these dilemmas. We focus on seven cases, including the redevelopment of the NDSM site in Amsterdam (a former shipbuilding area), the A-factorij in Amsterdam (a former bicycle factory converted into office and business premises) and the transformation of the famous Van Nelle factory in Rotterdam - an icon of functionalism - into a ‘design factory’. Economic feasibility, a clear concept, effective marketing and PR, alignment with the local supply and demand, and the right match between the local policy of public and private partners are key factors in the success or failure of such projects.