IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

The former iron foundry and machinery factory OLT in Osijek represents a significant case of industrial heritage transformation within a contemporary urban context. Established in 1913, the complex became one of the largest industrial systems in the region, strongly shaping the city’s spatial and socio-economic structure. Its strategic location near the city centre and major urban corridors further emphasized its importance. Following the cessation of production and broader processes of deindustrialization, intensified by the consequences of the Croatian War of Independence, the site entered a prolonged phase of decline. Over more than two decades of abandonment, it acquired the characteristics of a brownfield site, becoming a spatial and functional discontinuity within the urban fabric. This research aims to examine the transformation of the OLT complex within the framework of urban resilience, focusing on decline, brownfield formation, and regeneration strategies. The methodology combines historical and spatial-urban analysis with case study evaluation, addressing key resilience criteria such as adaptability, connectivity, functional diversity, and the role of public space. Particular attention is given to a recent urban-architectural competition for revitalization. The awarded proposal introduces a central public park as a catalyst for spatial reorganization and social activation, while reinterpreting the industrial identity of the site. The scientific contribution lies in linking urban resilience theory with competition-based planning processes and in interpreting public space as an operational tool for regenerating post-industrial brownfield sites. The research highlights the role of strategic planning in strengthening urban resilience and reintegrating post-industrial landscapes into the contemporary city.