Title

Author(s)

Eirini Travlou

Ivan Nevzgodin

Affiliation

Delft University of Technology

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/LSIB9541

Keywords

Maritime Heritage, The Netherlands, Revitalization

PP

950-956

How to Cite

Travlou, Eirini, Ivan Nevzgodin. “[Re]formation of Maritime Dystopias.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 950–956. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

This project explores the complex interplay of utopian and dystopian perceptions within the maritime industrial heritage context, focusing on the former Van Eijk shipyard in Sliedrecht, the Netherlands. Once a symbol of industrial progress and prosperity, the site now embodies a sense of abandonment and spatial decay, reflecting a shift in societal and functional values in the post-industrial era. The central research question is: How were the utopian/dystopian dualities manifested over the course of the former Van Eijk shipyard’s lifetime and its epistemological sections, and how can these dualities be employed to re-form its appearance into a heritage-based transformation? The study examines how industrial spaces, traditionally viewed as utopian (Zimmermann 2013, 235–262) often evolve into dystopian environments, depending on their current state and social perception. Drawing upon historical and theoretical frameworks—such as critiques by Manfredo Tafuri, and Constant Nieuwenhuys’s New Babylon—the research reveals how utopia and dystopia are not fixed categories but subjective experiences shaped by context and use. A new method of heritage evaluation is introduced, emphasizing spatial experience and user perception over traditional value matrices. Unlike established matrix-based assessments, which often require expert interpretation and singular viewpoints, this approach incorporates multiple user perspectives to recognize the coexistence of contradictory spatial meanings. By focusing on spatial dualities (accessible vs. inaccessible, extrovert vs. introvert etc.) the method allows for a more nuanced, participatory understanding of space. This user-oriented model not only facilitates adaptive reuse strategies grounded in emotional and experiential spatial qualities but also strengthens the continuity and identity of heritage sites. Ultimately, the architect’s role shifts toward mediating between spatial atmosphere and collective memory, enabling a more inclusive and sustainable transformation of post-industrial environments.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.