<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Mill races were an integral part of many towns in the past. But when they lost their economic importance, they were mostly filled and buried underground. Although we can now find them in their original form in a few cases only, their spatial corridors have often been preserved in the urban structure. The research aims to detect the historical trace of the former mill races in Krnov, a small town in the district of Bruntál in the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic, and investigate the possibilities of their interpretation and revitalization. The research focuses on the identification of the remnants and traces of the former mill races using historical maps, literary and visual sources, and subsequently on the investigation of the state of their current existence in the urban structure, according to current orthophoto maps, real estate cadastre records, and field research. During the 19th century, the mill race system in Krnov and its surrounds consisted of four mill race channels. Two of them have been preserved with water flow to the present day. The other two mill races were filled. Research shows, however, that the footprint of their corridors is legible in the urban structure even today, and its presentation in new forms could significantly contribute to regenerate the urban fabric and revitalize public spaces. The mill races represent historical and cultural heritage, and the presentation and interpretation of their values, even those that have disappeared, can significantly help increase the quality and attractiveness of urban public spaces for residents and tourists.</p>
</abstract>

Mill races were an integral part of many towns in the past. But when they lost their economic importance, they were mostly filled and buried underground. Although we can now find them in their original form in a few cases only, their spatial corridors have often been preserved in the urban structure. The research aims to detect the historical trace of the former mill races in Krnov, a small town in the district of Bruntál in the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic, and investigate the possibilities of their interpretation and revitalization. The research focuses on the identification of the remnants and traces of the former mill races using historical maps, literary and visual sources, and subsequently on the investigation of the state of their current existence in the urban structure, according to current orthophoto maps, real estate cadastre records, and field research. During the 19th century, the mill race system in Krnov and its surrounds consisted of four mill race channels. Two of them have been preserved with water flow to the present day. The other two mill races were filled. Research shows, however, that the footprint of their corridors is legible in the urban structure even today, and its presentation in new forms could significantly contribute to regenerate the urban fabric and revitalize public spaces. The mill races represent historical and cultural heritage, and the presentation and interpretation of their values, even those that have disappeared, can significantly help increase the quality and attractiveness of urban public spaces for residents and tourists.

Traces of former mill races in Krnov: Possibilities of revitalization and interpretation

Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Design

University of Warmia and Mazury, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development

Department of Business and Rural Development Management

Architecture Papers of the Faculty of Architecture and Design STU

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Mill races were an integral part of many towns in the past. But when they lost their economic importance, they were mostly filled and buried underground....

Traces of former mill races in Krnov: Possibilities of revitalization and interpretation

Published Online: Mar 19, 2023

Page range: 36 - 46

Received: Jan 22, 2023

Accepted: Mar 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/alfa-2023-0004

Keywords
mill race, industrial heritage, extinct heritage, urban revitalization, placemaking

© 2023 Juraj Illéš et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Traces of former mill races in Krnov: Possibilities of revitalization and interpretation

Published Online: Mar 19, 2023

Page range: 36 - 46

Received: Jan 22, 2023

Accepted: Mar 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/alfa-2023-0004

Keywordsmill race, industrial heritage, extinct heritage, urban revitalization, placemaking

© 2023 Juraj Illéš et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
mill race, industrial heritage, extinct heritage, urban revitalization, placemaking