Industrial heritage in The Netherlands
Introduction
Preservation of industrial inheritance by reuse is a world wide
phenomenon. Each industrialised country has to contend since the
sixties, sometimes before that, with de consequences of the factors
that lead to abandoned buildings: scaling-up, obsolescence, changing
of settlement circumstances, all due to the de-industrialisation
of the post-industrial society. In The Netherlands the interest
in its industrial heritage started to take off in the late seventies
and was influenced by developments in Britain, which can be considered
the cradle of industrial archaeology. In comparison to monuments
built before 1800-1850, monuments of a later era and in particular
industrial objects, did not have a large social base in society.
The esthetical aspects of these newer industrial monuments were,
generally speaking, not recognised by official institutions and
the population. Monumental buildings after 1850 and specifically
industrial objects, could, and still can only be preserved if there
is a possibility for an economically attractive, sociable or profitable
future.
The Governments Policy regarding Industrial Heritage
The first industrial object in the Netherlands ever to be elevated
to a monumental status was in 1933 the typically Dutch 'Stoomgemaal
Cruquis' from 1848, that had been used for draining. After World
War II the governmental authorities were slowly becoming more protective
about the industrial heritage. At first only three types of industrial
buildings, that were typical for the Netherlands, were taken into
consideration:pumping-stations ('gemaal'), lighthouses and mining
monuments. Other than that the Dutch government created no special
status for industrial buildings.
It was not until the seventies that private initiatives gave rise
to a serious approach of the preservation of the industrial heritage.
A numerous amount of small institutions came onto being, that devoted
themselves to the safe-keeping of culturally valuable industrial
complexes. By 1984 this diversity of regional, thematic and categorical
institutions joined forces under the name of Federation Industrial
Heritage of the Netherlands (Federatie Industrieel Erfgoed Nederland:
FIEN); a federation that is based on a co-operation between smaller
autonomous organisations, each with its own specific know-how and
character. At this point the preservation of the industrial inheritance
was merely a matter of private initiative and there was still no
meddling of the government. But in spite of the efforts in the private
sphere the industrial inheritance was rapidly caving in due to neglect,
purposed demolition, lack of knowledge and appreciation, technological
developments, scaling-up, environmental policy and -important for
the city of Amsterdam- as a consequence of urban developments. Significant
monuments of industry and technology vanished without any proper
documentation or research.
Although the private initiatives did not result in immediate effect,
they brought about an increasing awareness of the value of the industrial
inheritance and the need for preservation. In 1988 the governmental
department of Science, Housing and Culture created an independent
committee to take stock of the entire Dutch industrial inheritance
as to construct a basis for a clear policy. A year later the committee
published their findings in a report, called Industrial Inheritance
and the Art of Destruction (Industrieel Erfgoed en de Kunst van
het Vernietigingen). After that yet another committee appointed
by the central government made an inventory of industrial real estate
and movable property, which served as a standard for the concrete
composition of a list of significant industrial objects. At this
moment, the beginning of 1999, the selection procedures are almost
finished. Partly responsible for the execution of the policy regarding
the preservation of industrial inheritance is the Rijksdienst voor
Monumentenzorg (The governmental institution for protection of monuments).
The problem for this institution is that it lacks the financial
resources to carry out the policy as desired. As a consequence the
Rijksdienst voor Monumentenzorg wants objects to be economically
exploitable in order to be taken into consideration for the title
of industrial monument. However the tasks of the Rijksdienst voor
Monumentenzorg are mainly advisory and supportive. Mostly the local
authorities have a finger in the pie. The decision whether an industrial
object is worthwhile of preservation is not only dependent on the
type of industrial object but also very much on the policies of
these local authorities.
Industrial inheritance in Dutch cities
From the 18th century until the middle of the 19th century hardly
any urban expansion worth mentioning took place in Amsterdam. The
city was constructed within its old defensive works, such as moats,
ramparts and gates. When in the second part of the previous century
the Industrial Revolution took off in the Netherlands, many industrial
complexes rose within the city. As a result of this rapid expansion
of the industries, available space became scarce and factories soon
had to emigrate to the direct surroundings. But it was not long
before the arms of the city stretched out and the surroundings were
closed in again. With the continuous urban extension, partly in
consequence of the increasing population after World War II, the
old industrial complexes now became more and more located in the
inner part of the town. Besides infrastructural difficulties that
arose, possibilities for expansion were limited within the heart
of the city. Not surprisingly a lot of these companies were obliged
to leave the city and old factory buildings became useless carcasses.
Another important reason for the abandoning of industrial complexes
was the rising competition of the low-wages countries, that started
in the sixties. Several industrial branches could not keep up in
this price-war that caused a number of mergers and an increasing
scaling-up. For example the Dutch textile industry - by origin located
in the East and South of the Netherlands - which was decimated in
a short time. By this time the Netherlands were transforming at
a quick rate from a traditional industrialised country, to a country
where the service industries became the most important pillar of
the economy. The rising of the service industries generated an explosive
demand for more office buildings. Abandoned industrial complexes
in the inner part of the city rapidly disappeared because they had
to make room for the construction of new office buildings. For the
majority of the industrial complexes that fell into disuse, total
demolition was the only option. For several buildings however, reuse
proved possible.
Reuse of industrial inheritance in Amsterdam
The city of Amsterdam is rich in old industrial objects, some of
them still awaiting a new destination. An example here of reuse
is the old granary called Korthals Altes (commonly known as the
Graansilo) in the harbour-area in the eastern part of Amsterdam.
This is a particular example because for years it was occupied by
squatters, who turned it into cultural meeting place. In the seventies
and eighties the squatters communities, with a back-up from artists,
had influence on the preservation and the future destinations of
industrial sites in Amsterdam. They occupied various sites with
an important cultural value and thereby ensuring their preservation.
In the nineties the local authorities adjusted most of these buildings
to a new climate for work and living accommodations. The Graansilo
is momentarily being rebuilt to a housing complex. One of the most
notorious examples of reuse of industrial objects in Amsterdam,
is the Westergasfabriek, one of the former coalgas- works, that
was put out of use during the sixties. From the seventies on the
destination of this terrain has been subject of debate for both
local authorities and neighbourhood. The demolition of several buildings
on this site, such as the water-tower and the coalgas- building
, was checked when in the eighties there came about more and more
appreciation for this specific industrial monument. Its reuse was
eventually initiated by the local city council of the district Westerpark,
by putting out an 'idea contest', held in 1992, in which people
were enabled to give their reactions, ideas and suggestions about
a new destination for this industrial complex. The outcome of the
contest was that the complex will be given a cultural destination
in combination with housing and the laying out of a park.
Still many industrial monuments disappear, but not unnoted. Intended
demolition hardly ever stays undiscussed in local politics anymore.
After many years of indifference finally the insight breaking through
that industrial monuments can be reused in an economically profitable
way. In that way tangible references to the industrial past are
maintained in the urban surroundings and personal and unique living-
and working spaces are created.
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