Reconstruction of former industrial complexes and their utilisation in tourism - case study

Abstract

In the context of industrially developed countries today, there has been an increased interest in so called ‘industrial tourism’, which aims at exploring technical monuments in a broad spectrum of tourist activities. This form of tourism used to be the domain of a handful of technical enthusiasts but nowadays it is gaining popularity among the broader public. In almost every town it is possible to find an industrial site or at least a few large objects, which, after the cessation of production, were left unused. Even though they are not listed as cultural monuments, these are often remarkable constructions contributing significantly to the local character. This paper contains an outline of the advancement in the conservation and utilization of industrial heritage in the region that currently finds itself in the postindustrial era. The issue of the development of the industrial heritage in the Czech Republic is based on the example of the industrial complex in the Lower Area of Vítkovice, which has been converted to the cultural and touristic part of the centre of the Ostrava - a city formerly known as the ‘Steel heart of the republic’. It is an example of the successful transformation of the facility that could be compared to the ‘European Route of Industrial Heritage’ or the transformation of the Ruhr region in Germany. A case study of a new utilization of Vítkovice Ironwork’s compound and other facilities can serve as an example for other towns and cities in Europe and beyond.