| Summary: | Icelandic coastal communities have been experiencing a growing risk to their socio-economic and demographic stability as a result of the continued decline of traditional fishing and agricultural sectors. Such post-industrialised communities are increasingly looking to establish alternative activities within a diversified economic landscape. Across Europe industrial heritage sites have become important drivers of regional development and renewal, yet their role as catalysts in structural change in Iceland has been underestimated to date. The research analyses re-purposed industrial heritage sites in Iceland with a focus on their impact in driving economic, social and cultural change. While Reykjavik is a well-known cultural centre, little is known or written about the importance of such sites in rural settlements and their role in contributing to regeneration and economic viability. It appears to be a subject that is rarely considered to have had significant economic weight or purpose hitherto - hence a notable knowledge gap can be identified between urban, over-researched projects and somewhat under-researched rural projects. Examples of conservation treatments and interpretation are analysed, comprising 16 industrial heritage sites in Iceland at various levels of adaptive re-use. A total of 50 interviews were undertaken in two stages between September 2019 and January 2021. The research identifies key elements attributable to successfully adapted heritage sites, drawing linkages and commonalities to better understand how heritage conservation priorities could be incorporated into future regional development, tourism and local planning policy. The thesis highlights a need for a more robust protection framework in order to avoid further loss of remaining important sites and offers policy recommendations including the establishment of initiatives to support 20th century heritage. Félagslegur, efnahagslegur og lýðfræðilegur stöðugleiki íslenskra sjávarbyggða hefur átt undir högg að sækja vegna stöðugs samdráttar ...
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