Clash of Two Identities: What Happens to Industrial Identity in a Post-Industrial Society?

David Bole, Peter Kumer, Primož Gašperič, Jani Kozina, Primož Pipan and Jernej Tiran
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David Bole: Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Peter Kumer: Science Directorate, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, 16 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Primož Gašperič: Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jani Kozina: Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Primož Pipan: Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jernej Tiran: Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 13 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Societies, 2022, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: This article examines the contemporary industrial semiotic landscape in the town of Velenje, Slovenia, to determine the (positive or negative) collective imaginaries and discourses about industry in the local community. To this end, the semiotic landscape is mapped for signs and symbols of past and present industry, 33 randomly selected short interviews are conducted to understand the residents’ attitudes towards industrial symbols and industrial development in general, and a content analysis of official strategic documents is conducted to determine how industry is represented by officials and whether there are efforts to reimage the town. We found that the industrial past and present are well represented by industrial symbols and are a matter of pride and collective identity for the residents. However, the industrial tradition is hardly represented in official documents: Influenced by the prevailing post-industrial discourses, local authorities have begun to construct new territorial identities in order to increase the town’s attractiveness and economic growth. Currently, both ideas seem to coexist in Velenje. We argue that industrial symbols can become a reference point to create an alternative perception of a modern consumer society based on past industrial values, such as collective well-being, solidarity, and equality.

Keywords: semiotic landscape; local identity; identity politics; reimaging; geography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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