DETERMINING FACTORS IN THE CONVERSION OF POWER STATIONS. THE CASE STUDY OF NORDKRAFT POWER PLANT (AALBORG) IN COMPARISON TO OTHER PLANTS AROUND THE WORLD

Due to the processes of deindustrialization and urban regeneration, former industrial buildings, especially former power plants, have been converted to new, often cultural purposes. Specifically, this paper addresses the conversion of power plants, which is considered to be a very important topic, as hundreds of decaying, non-functional power plants can be found throughout the world. It is important to rescue some and, by converting them, give them a new touch and a new use. This paper strives to discuss the most important factors that affect the conversion of power plants aimed at finding new functions for these former industrial buildings. Firstly, the article describes the power plants in Aalborg, and Nordkraft in particular. It deals with the complex history of the building which, due to the increasing consumption of electricity, had to be extended several times. Secondly, the paper also addresses the issues of finding a use for such large buildings and preventing their decay before the investor finds a suitable function for them. Thirdly, the paper deals with the reconstruction of the power plant from the point of view of architectural solutions and details, organisational aspects of the conversion, approach to the immediate surroundings, and financing options. Finally, some trends and opportunities for the reconstruction of similar buildings around the world are outlined in order to show the options for saving them by means of conversion.