Arhitectura industrială istorică: posibilități de recuperare sustenabilă. Cazul Timișoara

Abstract

Monuments of industrial architecture represent a distinct category of built heritage, clearly expressing the various stages of economic, social, and technological transformation that society has undergone over time. Moreover, industrial architecture, through both its tangible and intangible components, stands as evidence of human innovation and creativity. Denying the importance and values associated with this category of heritage leads to the irreversible loss of industrial memory.

The book identifies the limits and opportunities involved in the process of repurposing former industrial sites, in relation to current heritage protection regulations and the principles of sustainable intervention in the built environment. It explores appropriate intervention strategies for former urban industrial facilities, many of which are now abandoned or inadequately used.

Across its 440 full-color pages, the book inventories the historical industrial architectural heritage of Timișoara, presenting it within the broader context of industrial development in the Banat region. It explains the cultural significance of industrial architecture and analyzes various case studies from both abroad and Timișoara, illustrating how industrial heritage can be transformed “From industry to culture.” It also assesses the potential for adaptive reuse of existing industrial heritage buildings in Timișoara, based on an innovative methodological framework. The proposed solutions may be extended to industrial heritage buildings across the country (and beyond).

The book is based on the doctoral thesis of the author, Raluca-Maria Trifa, defended with Summa cum laude at the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, under the coordination of Prof. Univ. Dr. Arch. Rodica Crișan.