Transforming the Understanding Between the Global North and South Through Industrial Heritage: Resignification, Diversity, Respect, and Recognition
This project proposes to investigate how the resignification of industrial heritage in the Global South can transform historical relations between the Global North and South, promoting respect, recognition, and the appreciation of cultural diversities and collective memories through collaborative methodologies based on a decolonial epistemological shift. Through the recovery of memory and narratives that have previously been rendered invisible, the goal is to reconfigure the hegemonic narratives imposed by the North, recovering the voices of historically excluded communities and valorizing their stories and contributions. In this context, industrial heritage ceases to be merely a material legacy and becomes a driving force for social and cultural transformation.
The research focuses on the symbolic relationship between industrial heritage, collective memory, and cultural diversity, from Latin America to the world. By resignifying these sites, the aim is to strengthen the memories of Global South communities, promoting an inclusive and respectful view of their historical processes. This decolonial approach seeks to challenge dominant narratives about industrialization, acknowledging the asymmetries and inequalities that have been perpetuated in official accounts. Furthermore, it aims to demonstrate how these resignification processes can contribute to a socio-ecological transformation, aligned with the needs and perspectives of the Global South. The visibility of these narratives is part of the reparation process, contributing to a global movement towards mutual respect and recognition.
The methodology adopted is based on the ecological model of memory (which I developed from Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and experiences from southern Chile) to generate local knowledge, analyze, and apply it for comparative studies from a respectful perspective. This allows for studying how communities manage and reinterpret their industrial heritage, not just as a material resource but as a symbol loaded with historical and cultural meanings. This approach will be complemented by symbolic and artistic analyses of heritage, observing how cultural and urban interventions in industrial sites can serve as vehicles for rethinking power relations between the North and the South. Additionally, a comparative analysis of various resignification experiences in the Global South will be conducted to identify effective strategies that can be applied in other regions. The expected outcomes include the creation of new narratives about industrial heritage that challenge dominant approaches and promote historical justice and respect for Southern communities.
The project is also expected to encourage greater recognition of local diversities and strengthen mutual understanding by incorporating symbolic comprehension tools into the Global North. In this way, communities will be able to reclaim their histories and reshape historical relations more freely. I foresee the publication of an academic article contributing to the ReForm debate on resources, memory, and socio-ecological transformation, as well as the creation of content for an artistic and documentary exhibition illustrating the resignification processes of heritage in various Global South communities. Additionally, a guide for best practices in applying industrial heritage resignification strategies in both the Global South and North, with a decolonial and culturally respectful approach, could be developed.
This project aims to transform historical relations between the Global North and South through the resignification of industrial heritage, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable approach to global history and culture. In this sense, it will align with ReForm’s research lines, which promote the understanding of socio-ecological transformations through a multidisciplinary approach that respects cultural diversities.
