(De-)Industrial Heritage

Industrial heritage initiatives are deeply intertwined with deindustrialization and gentrification processes, reflecting complex social, economic, and political dynamics. The study highlights that these initiatives often serve as sites of contested narratives, where the lived experiences of displaced workers—particularly in industrial heartland areas—are both preserved and marginalized. It also explores how industrial heritage can either reinforce or challenge working-class invisibility, with significant implications for class politics and social justice. The research employs a multidisciplinary approach, analyzing oral histories, participant observations, and critical discourse studies to examine the 'half-life' of deindustrialization, its lasting impacts on communities, and its links to right-wing populism. The findings underscore the need for critical reflection on whose stories are told in industrial heritage and how these narratives shape collective memory and political identity.

Berger, S., & High, S. (2019). (De-)Industrial Heritage. Labor, 16(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1215/15476715-7269281