An examination of re-functionalization of industrial heritage sites in terms of museology

In 1800s, industrial facilities have started to be established together with the industrial revolution that emerged all around the world which guided urban growth and development afterwards. These industrial areas continued their operations until 1950s. Due to the technological advancements, the ways of production changed and urban areas started to be transformed. In time, industrial areas positioned at the city centers and they became idle after the establishment of new production facilities. Based on their own architectural characteristics and main qualifications of being social-cultural transformation leads of their era, industrial areas are both witnesses and driving forces of a significant time zone of history of humanity. Therefore, after the second half of the 20th century, they have started to be defined as cultural heritages of the world and protected with all of their components. It is culturally, sociologically and economically important to reintegrate them into the society as museums by reflecting their original functions. However, reintegration and re-functionality of these historically important areas should not be limited with museums, and while they are re-functioned to be useful in the social area, they should also present their history to the users' attention. Therefore, it will contribute to the mission of the science of Museology to protect social values and transfer of social history to the future generations. This thesis study was done to comparatively analyze the study examples around the world and in Turkey on protection and re-functionalization of old industrial areas that had significant roles on physical development of cities as being important figures of history of technology and provide recommendations for suitable functions in the name of Museology. In this regard, within the scope of the study, the industrialization process that had significant roles to shape and develop urban areas was addressed from historical, social, physical, and economic aspects, re-functionalization studies of industrial areas within the context of the cultural heritage was analyzed, and several suggestions were provided in terms of Museology.