Reuse of the industrial heritage of milan: Cultural settlement in Bovisa

Abstract

After the deindustrialization process of Europe, many buildings and complexes were abandoned and their activities were moved out of the cities due to the growth of urban centres. One of those locations is Bovisa in the North of Milan (Italy), in which old structures of former factories are standing near contemporary buildings. Furthermore, as a common characteristic of those industrial urban areas, the price of the land is one of the factors that affect their industrial archaeology preservation and its future development. The main goal of this research is to define a gentrification strategy that can be sustainable for the urban growth and social development of the area. Based on this, the analysis will be presented in two parts: (1) the adaptive reuse of these buildings has been considered as a motor for sustainability and culture in Bovisa. (2) A case study: an architectural project specifically designed for one of these industrial buildings as an example of reuse and sustainability. © 2013 WIT Press.