英国前工矿村的再生与适应: Elsecar案例研究

In the UK many of the traditional industries have gone through a period of decline and some of these industries (such as coal mining) were located in small towns and villages, each often covering a relatively small geographic area. Following that decline new opportunities for commerce and industry have developed, but these are often in different urban locations making little direct employment of the village inhabitants or infrastructure, and resulting in village economic stagnation. However, in some cases greater efforts have been made to revitalize and regenerate those villages; some successful examples are those where the existing buildings and historical context provides support for tourism or cultural endeavors. Across the UK examples range from those redeveloped as living museums; to those with attractive housing, local cultural developments and some newer enterprises; and also to smaller communities which have focused on special features of their village to bring in new businesses and tourists. This final model is the focus of this paper. Elsecar is a former mining village with a long history and which was originally owned and developed by one family. It possesses an interesting and attractive combination of historical artifacts; buildings of architectural merit; new enterprises; supportive local government; and enthusiastic support volunteers. The paper describes the advances it has made and the problems it faces moving forward; all set within the local regional context and also within a broader post-industrial landscape in the UK. Elsecar is used to signpost some potential future directions for regeneration and adaptation.