Latent assets

We live in a country deeply affected by economic restructuring, demographic decline, and migration, which are evident in the prevalence of latent assets. Much of this built heritage holds immense value for people and communities, their identity, and the local development potential. In our heritage revitalization projects, we inventory types of latent built stock, facilitate visions and processes of regeneration, document teams active in the valorization of latent assets, build networks for collaboration and learning and attract expertise and investments to contribute to the promotion and support of revitalization practices nationwide.

We have inventoried and worked closely with the Reșița City Hall to capitalize on the city’s vast reserves of industrial heritage (see www.investinresita.ro). We have tested methods of activating and fostering civic engagement with latent spaces in Făgăraș (more on www.incredereinfagaras.ro). We facilitated the Latent/Emergent learning and exchange community on revitalizing latent built stock in Romania and initiated the first support program for organizations in this network, called the Heritage Stewardship Support Program. Additionally, we are part of the international ReInd BBG project along with the Reșița City Hall, where we explore the valorization of former brownfield industrial sites and propose models of inter-institutional collaboration at various levels of governance, focusing on public-private partnerships and effective integration into regional and European policies and priorities.

Our contribution