From silence to reuse: Divergent urban trajectories of two post-industrial factory sites in St. Petersburg

This thesis explores the post-industrial transformation of former industrial sites in Saint Petersburg, focusing on their divergent trajectories after deindustrialization. The research examines how institutional conditions, spatial factors, and discursive framings shape the afterlives of industrial territories. Using a comparative case study approach, the thesis analyzes two former industrial sites in Saint Petersburg with similar origins but contrasting outcomes. The study combines literature review, document analysis, and qualitative interpretation of spatial and discursive practices. To conceptualize long-term states of functional and institutional uncertainty, the thesis introduces the analytical notion of “silent spaces”. The research contributes to discussions on post-industrial urban transformation by highlighting the role of governance, visibility, and informal practices in shaping the reuse or neglect of industrial heritage.