Page 40 - Beyond Decommissioning

The fundamentals of industrial redevelopment 21

See a definition of “built form” in the Glossary.

The heritage significance of an industrial place can be historic, aesthetic, social and/
or technical and both tangible and intangible. They may be listed on local, state or
Commonwealth government heritage registers or be completely unprotected. The
owner may see them as full of potential, or as a problem that would best be resolved
through demolition. Industrial heritage sites are also often endangered. Research by
English Heritage suggests that, in the UK, listed industrial buildings are more at risk
than almost any other kind of heritage. Industrial heritage is sometimes not as widely
appreciated as other kinds of heritage structures.
Heritage Council of Victoria (2013)

Extensive reference is made in this chapter to The International Committee for the
Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (TICCIH). This is the world organization rep-
resenting industrial heritage. Its goals are to promote international cooperation in pre-
serving, conserving, investigating, documenting, researching, interpreting, and
advancing education in this field. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed
in November 2014, The TICClH is officially recognized by the International Council
on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) as a consultant in all matters related to the study
and preservation of industrial heritage. The lCOMOS is the global nongovernmental
organization dedicated to conservation of the world’s historic monuments and sites. In
particular, ICOMOS’ network of experts (especially the TICCIH) counsels the
UNESCO (the United Nations organization responsible for cooperative, coordinated
action by member states in education, science, and the arts) on properties to be added
to the World Heritage List. The TICCIH (2003) defines the key concepts and funda-
mental methods of industrial heritage and industrial archeology. The following is
extracted from their charter of principles.
“Industrial heritage consists of the remains of industrial culture which are of his-
torical, technological, social, architectural or scientific value. These remains consist
of buildings and machinery, workshops, mills and factories, mines and sites for
processing and refining, warehouses and stores, places where energy is generated,
transmitted and used, transport and all its infrastructure, as well as places used for
social activities related to industry such as housing, religious worship or education”
(TICCIH, 2003). Although this definition was not specially written for nuclear sites
and facilities, it can be generally applicable to them.
Industrial sites may have been relinquished decades ago, they may have changed
functions many times, or they may have shutdown in recent times. Even sites that have
been in use for many decades may have been subject to significant technological
changes.
Industrial heritage sites may be cherished by the local communities or despised as
eyesores or symbols of a dirty and messy past.
The cultural meaning of an industrial site can be historic, aesthetic, social, techno-
logical or scientific, and either measurable or unmeasurable. They may be listed on
official heritage registers and protected as such or be forgotten and prone to