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.