The re-use of post-industrial space and waterfront development: the case of the Stone Loft (Maritime Tradition Museum) in Piraeus

Abstract

Policies and practices that consider the re-use of post-industrial space for cultural purposes and waterfront developments for the regeneration – rehabilitation of harbour seafronts are priorities in many urban areas in the world. Already from the 50’s the first projects of this kind were implemented with great results; some of the most characteristic examples are the ones of Baltimore, Boston, Rotterdam, London (the docklands), etc. In Greece in the late 80’s some urban areas –mainly in Athens- started to show signs of regeneration where industrial, manufacturing and retail buildings were used for culture, leisure and housing and were turned into “cultural quarters” (e.g., Psiri, Gazi in Athens and Ladadika in Salonica). One of the most ambitious projects with the support of the Ministry of Environment and the Local Government is turning the industrial axis of Piraeus Street (the road connecting Athens and Piraeus) into a cultural axis. At the end of the axis and near the “Vasiliades Shipyards”, within the Piraeus harbor lies the Stone Loft which hosts the Maritime Tradition Museum since 1997. The Museum has accomplished to turn a historic part of the docks of Piraeus in a space of culture, education and research and as a non-governmental institution it is considered to be the largest maritime museum in Greece. It has also a very innovative character since it doesn’t only have an exhibition function, but it also hosts music performances, educational programmes, research programmes in experimental naval archeology and ship construction, etc. At the same time it preserves the historic aspects and uses of the building, without altering its form and design. At our paper we will present the framework and examples of re-use of industrial space in Greece, and more particularly at the harbor of Piraeus and the problems faced due to the lack of support by the state and the harbour organisation. We stress on the general lack of coordination that could transform the harbour of Piraeus to a harbour of 3rd of 4th generation and the inefficient protection of its industrial monuments. We refer to the possible ways to familiarise and unify the city with the harbour, a relation that has been unclear for many decades. This, we argue, can only be succeeded by preserving the industrial heritage and history in a way that it will become a factor of regeneration and urban pride.