Strategy of Sustainable Development of an Industrial Archaeology

A sustainable development strategy for the Valle dei Mulini, a 12th-century industrial archaeology site in Gragnano, Italy, demonstrates how historic hydraulic mills can be repurposed to generate electricity while preserving cultural heritage. The approach combines 're-learn' and 're-value,' aiming to spread knowledge of the territory, enhance local identity, and promote eco-conscious tourism. By integrating the mills into a broader tourism network—including lesser-known sites like Campi Flegrei and the Amalfi Coast—the strategy seeks to restore artifacts, remediate the ecosystem, and ensure long-term safeguarding. This case study offers a model for balancing industrial heritage preservation with renewable energy production in culturally significant landscapes.

Di Ruocco, G., Sicignano, E., & Galizia, I. (2017). Strategy of Sustainable Development of an Industrial Archaeology. Procedia Engineering, 180, 1664–1674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.329