Industrial Heritage in Rome: Valorization and Reuse of Abandoned Industrial Areas

In recent decades, abandoned industrial sites have emerged in areas affected by deindustrialization. The lifecycle of buildings, from construction to operation to abandonment, is simultaneous with substantial changes affecting urban and natural landscapes and quality of life. This paper focuses on the urban regeneration of industrial sites and their valorization and reuse as an alternative to urban sprawl. The author applies her architectural and academic background to describe application studies within the urban area of Rome, Italy, where urban growth is no longer sustainable and the presence of abandoned industrial sites is critical. A methodology is proposed to address this challenge and select optimal architectural and urban renewal strategies. This process involves a multilayered ethical/aesthetic assessment of cultural, environmental, economic, and social issues. In-depth studies of heritage sites are illustrated; these demonstrate how the proposed methodology results in greater resiliency, flexibility, and sustainability, thereby improving the area’s quality of life.