Taking stock of the industrial heritage in the Czech Rep
There have been some changes: the last five years especially have seen a significant rise in successful conversions of old buildings, especially in Prague. New life has painstakingly been breathed into industrial buildings converted into new cultural centres, apartments, businesses, and shopping areas.
While not all projects have been successful - some have come under heavy criticism -buildings gutted and redesigned with little or no 'place-memory', more investors and developers are beginning to approach projects with a greater understanding. That in part thanks to the work of institutions like the Research Centre for Industrial Heritage. The centre launched an important biennale and conference in Prague this week called "Vestiges of Industry".