ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses historic urban quarters that have traditionally been industrial or commercial quarters but have suffered various forms of obsolescence. Physical and structural obsolescence and — to an extent — functional obsolescence can be addressed by refurbishment and conversion. This creates a better stock of property in an area, however, a demand for the utilization of that property is also required. As discussed in Chapter Two, this often relates to the area's locational obsolescence — its lost competitiveness and competitive advantage as a location. The quarters in this chapter have also experienced locational obsolescence as a result of the changing economic structure of the country as well as the changes in the local economy. Such areas have therefore declined as their traditional functions have moved elsewhere to cheaper, more convenient locations. Although, many areas suffer from locational obsolescence, in historic urban quarters the capacity for responsive change is limited. In considering the functional regeneration, restructuring or diversification of these quarters, it is useful to bear in mind the example of Lowell where functional restructuring was achieved through attracting new industrial/commercial activities as well as tourism. In the USA, there are other examples of the functional restructuring of historic mill towns through the attraction of high-tech industries, when it has been recognized that their role as centres of textile or steel industries has become obsolete. Maynard, Massachusetts, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are two examples of this realization of the consequences of the changing world economy.
