Dominant discourses framing the reuse of industrial heritage in the context of mega-events: a relationship matrix approach

• Published in: Built heritage Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 45 - 17
• Main Authors: Bideau, Florence Graezer, Deng, Huishu, Roux, Helena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01-12-2024; Springer; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Aesthetics; Architecture; Architecture and Design; Best practice; Best practices; Bias; Brand equity; Brownfields; Case studies; Community; Cultural heritage; Design; Discourses; Dominant discourse; Industrial heritage; Industrial heritage sites and mega-events: An opportunity for urban redevelopment and social change?; Mega-event legacy; Memorials & monuments; Memories; Olympic games; People-centred approach; Planning; Relationship matrix; Renewal; Research Article; Reuse; Urban renewal; United Kingdom; China; Angola; Mega-event legacy; Industrial heritage; People-centred approach; Dominant discourse; Relationship matrix; Best practices
• ISSN: 2662-6802; 2096-3041; 2662-6802
• DOI: 10.1186/s43238-024-00154-z

The reuse of industrial heritage sites has become increasingly prevalent in the context of hosting mega-events. This paper aims to investigate this trend, specifically in the context of Olympic Games or World Expos, and its impact on urban regeneration strategies. It introduces a methodological tool, namely, the relationship matrix, to identify key factors from ‘best practices’ criteria for managing industrial sites and planning mega-event legacies. We use this matrix to address two research objectives, namely, to determine the role of industrial heritage reuse in mega-event urban projects and to evaluate whether this creates a favourable environment for place-making. This matrix enables us to compare and analyse the Shanghai 2010 World Expo and the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games as illustrative case studies. While guidelines and strategies for mega-events and industrial heritage have evolved towards a proactive people-centred approach, our findings still reveal a bias towards material renewal in dominant discourses during the planning phase. This bias often overlooks or even excludes the memories and experiences of local communities.