Challenges and opportunities of Urban Manufacturing and its spaces
Traditionally, manufacturing has been regarded as a polluting and space-intensive activity, leading to a longstanding separation between industrial functions and the city. However, recent research indicates a significant shift toward the re-industrialization of cities or the re-urbanization of industry, reflecting a renewed interest in reintegrating manufacturing into urban contexts. This shift has been enabled by the emergence of compact, low-emission, and highly adaptable production technologies. These innovations have made vertical and mixed-use industrial facilities increasingly viable within dense urban environments.
Despite these advancements, urban planning has, for decades, prioritized residential, commercial, and recreational land uses—often at the expense of recognizing the vital role of local manufacturing in providing quality employment and fostering urban vitality. Given the current economic, environmental, and spatial challenges, it is imperative to re-evaluate the role of manufacturing in cities and reintegrate it into contemporary planning and policy frameworks.
This seminar aims to examine the evolving challenges and emerging opportunities related to urban manufacturing and its spatial integration. It calls for holistic approaches that bridge industry and daily life, merge digital innovation with the built environment, and balance tradition with transformation. The discussions will explore how evolving industrial practices can be effectively incorporated into urban development and how planners, policymakers, and scholars can contribute to building more inclusive, resilient, and productive urban futures.