Industrial Urbanism: Typologies, Concepts and Prospects

Due to global economic dynamics and rising labour and transportation costs, domestic urban-centred production is making a comeback. Seizing this opportunity has important implications for cities, which stand to benefit from new investments and increased employment opportunities. In looking at the spatial challenges associated with urban manufacturing this paper examines the evolution of spatial relationship between cities and industrial environments, as well as the mapping of existing industrial prototypes. The aim of analysing varied prototypes of the city–industry relationship is to increase understanding of city–industry dynamics and to promote manufacturing as a key to the development of future cities. The connection between cities and industries in contemporary times suggests that a major opportunity is emerging to redefine the role of industry in the city, making it as much a part of the urban fabric as housing or commerce.