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Clash of Two Identities: What Happens to Industrial Identity in a Post-Industrial Society?

Author

Listed:
  • David Bole

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Peter Kumer

    (Science Directorate, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, 16 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Primož Gašperič

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Jani Kozina

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Primož Pipan

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Jernej Tiran

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

This article examines the contemporary industrial semiotic landscape in the town of Velenje, Slovenia, to determine the (positive or negative) collective imaginaries and discourses about industry in the local community. To this end, the semiotic landscape is mapped for signs and symbols of past and present industry, 33 randomly selected short interviews are conducted to understand the residents’ attitudes towards industrial symbols and industrial development in general, and a content analysis of official strategic documents is conducted to determine how industry is represented by officials and whether there are efforts to reimage the town. We found that the industrial past and present are well represented by industrial symbols and are a matter of pride and collective identity for the residents. However, the industrial tradition is hardly represented in official documents: Influenced by the prevailing post-industrial discourses, local authorities have begun to construct new territorial identities in order to increase the town’s attractiveness and economic growth. Currently, both ideas seem to coexist in Velenje. We argue that industrial symbols can become a reference point to create an alternative perception of a modern consumer society based on past industrial values, such as collective well-being, solidarity, and equality.

Suggested Citation

  • David Bole & Peter Kumer & Primož Gašperič & Jani Kozina & Primož Pipan & Jernej Tiran, 2022. "Clash of Two Identities: What Happens to Industrial Identity in a Post-Industrial Society?," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:2:p:49-:d:771298
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ron Boschma & Ron Martin (ed.), 2010. "The Handbook of Evolutionary Economic Geography," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12864, March.
    2. David Byrne, 2002. "Industrial culture in a post-industrial world: The case of the North East of England," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(3), pages 279-289, November.
    3. Tan Yigitcanlar & Mirko Guaralda & Manuela Taboada & Surabhi Pancholi, 2016. "Place Making for Knowledge Generation and Innovation: Planning and Branding Brisbane's Knowledge Community Precincts," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(1), pages 115-146, January.
    4. Luciane Aguiar Borges, 2017. "Using the Past to Construct Territorial Identities in Regional Planning: The Case of Mälardalen, Sweden," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(4), pages 659-675, July.
    5. Alberto Vanolo, 2020. "Cities are Not Products," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 111(1), pages 10-17, February.
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    2. Anna Szewczyk-Świątek, 2025. "Sustainable Transformation of Post-Mining Areas: Discreet Alliance of Stakeholders in Influencing the Public Perception of Heavy Industry in Germany and Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-33, September.
    3. Aleksandra Kuzior & Wiesław Grebski & Aleksy Kwilinski & Dariusz Krawczyk & Michalene Eva Grebski, 2022. "Revitalization of Post-Industrial Facilities in Economic and Socio-Cultural Perspectives—A Comparative Study between Poland and the USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-15, September.

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