Heritage as a foundation and resource in place-making processes Experiences on adaptive reuse and collaborative approaches from three industrial villages in Västra Götaland, Sweden

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore the shifting collaborative approaches and uses of heritage and its impact on place-making processes in three industrial villages in Västra Götaland, a county in west of Sweden. In Sweden there is a number of industrial villages (bruksorter) where the industry has moved but their buildings remain. A method to develop these places is place-making initiatives through adaptive reuse of the industrial sites. Place-making is a key concept and tool in urban planning and development which can be used to increase sustainability. This study combines a theoretical framework on heritage-led development and adaptive reuse with place-making and collaborative approaches to planning. It explores place-making initiatives and how key stakeholders experience the process, commitment, and collaboration. Through interviews and document analysis, the results show three industrial villages all using heritage as a vital part of the place-making process. Both tangible and intangible features of the industrial heritage is activated to achieve positive developments at each site. Heritage is approached both as a medium for development and as a testimony of the past, although with more emphasis on the former among the respondents. Further, the cases all have slightly different methods for place-making however all with collaborative features. The results underline the importance of strong collaboration and consensus-building between different key stakeholders. Moreover, individual stakeholders’ commitment, as well as funding, seem to impact the place-making process immensely. Hence, this thesis shows how both heritage and stakeholder collaboration impact the place-making process, and how the use of heritage is essential to reach sustainable development.