Public-private-people partnerships for renovation of heritage buildings

Typical for the former mercury mining town of Idrija in Slovenia, the Idrija Miners’ House is a unique housing architecture of the late 18th and 19th Century. Today, 102 of such houses still stand, half are empty. In a time when Europe in general is facing a dire lack of affordable and quality housing, and when the space for construction should be allocated with care, 102 old, partially abandoned and forgotten houses is not just a public image challenge, but an immense opportunity – for a novel approach that bridges cultural heritage preservation, sustainable and affordable housing, re-newed construction skills, and a strengthened the identity of a place. The proposed “102 Initiative”, developed by an interdisciplinary team of ID20 Institute (urban studies & architecture, social innovation, entrepreneurship), envisions a comprehensive green revitalisation of traditional Idrija Miners’ Houses through a public-privatepeople partnership(s). More at www.rudarske-hise.si/102-initiative