Industrial heritage restoration/renovation projects and their societal impacts: Case of Gasholder Restoration Projects

Abstract

The refurbishment of industrial heritage structures offers economic benefits and provides future generations with an insight into the industrial history of cities. However, industrial heritage projects possess unique attributes and risks, and the procedures for restoring, renovating, and converting these structures differ from those of other construction projects and their impacts to society. From the view of Social Impact Management, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO/DIS 14001 and similar standards directly related with the sustainability. However, the design and method of construction are also important not only for workers’ safety but also public health and safety. For a holistic view Building Information Modeling provides us to gather information to reduce these concerns. This short communication covers societal impacts of a recently completed project in Germany that titled as Building Information Modeling (BIM) based sustainability, facility management and design for safety of industrial heritage buildings restoration/renovation projects and tries to put forward health and safety risks of Gasholder Restoration Projects to workers as well as to public during the project and after the completion by the aid of on site observations and expert panel discussions.