From Industrial Archaeology to Swiss industrial culture: memory, heritage and territorial marketing

Abstract

The text explores the evolution of the concept of industrial heritage in Switzerland. Initially, it highlights how industry, despite its crucial role in economic development, was long neglected in national identity representations in favor of more rural and mountainous images. It wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that there was a shift in perceiving industry as a significant component of Swiss identity.

The Heimatschutz association, founded in 1905, played a central role in this context, initially showing little interest in industrial heritage apart from hydroelectric industry. However, by the end of the 20th century, the association began considering the preservation and reuse of disused industrial spaces as part of its commitment to cultural heritage conservation.

Industrial archaeology in Switzerland began in the 1970s, influenced by international movements but lacking academic institutionalization. Early efforts focused on documenting, conserving, and enhancing the value of industrial sites and installations spanning from craftsmanship to modern industry. Despite not being formally recognized as an academic discipline, industrial archaeology evolved in close dialogue with the history of technology and gradually embraced a heritage and cultural perspective.

Concurrently, various national and local initiatives emerged, such as Industriearcheologie and the creation of inventories of industrial heritage, which contributed to the preservation and valorization of buildings, machinery, and industrial landscapes. These initiatives also promoted the transformation of abandoned industrial sites into cultural and tourist spaces, facilitating collective memory and education about Switzerland’s industrial past.

In conclusion, the trajectory of industrial archaeology in Switzerland serves as an example of how enhancing industrial heritage can effectively integrate into territorial marketing and national identity construction, addressing challenges like deindustrialization and the need to preserve the memory of past labor and technologies.