Revitalisation of an historic industrial port district: The goods station district in Antwerp

Built after the city expansion in the 1860s-70s, the former goods station district in the north of Antwerp, near the historic port, was once dominated by nations and warehouses. At the end of the 20th century, the harbour activities moved further northwards. As a consequence, building promoters got interested in the vacant warehouses because of their valuable, large plots near the centre of the city. Their safeguarding is endangered by the speed and intensity by which the urban space is being redeveloped. However, the warehouses are a key element for the revival of the neighbourhood. This paper aims to provide a scientific base to support their preservation and adaptive reuse. It analyses the planning history of the district over the past 150 years, defines the historical importance of the warehouses and assesses reconversions of warehouses and their changing integration in the urban fabric. The study aims to support qualitative redevelopment projects and therefore it is essential to revalue historic industrial buildings in the evolving city centres and to investigate how this valuable heritage can be preserved for further generations.

ISBN:2468-6948

Publication year:2016

Keywords:Historic port district, Antwerp, Warehouses, Redevelopment, Industrial Heritage

Authors:International

Accessibility:Open