Between history, politics and economy: The problematic heritage of Former border railway stations in Poland

Weronika Dragan, Mirek Dymitrow, Robert Krzysztofik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of former border railway stations (FBRSs) in Poland in the context of their problematic heritage. Since the creation of those borders coincided with the development of the railway network in the 19th century, the FBRSs, now deprived of their past function, remain scattered throughout the landscape as confusing components of a troubled history in an even more confusing contemporaneity. This article assiduously analyses the FBRSs in their capacity as offensive hallmarks vested in inoffensive elements of technical culture, often with high aesthetic value. This is done by departing from a number of analytical lenses: unwanted history, competitive heritage, utility vs. economy, politics and money, and the ‘here and now’ policy. These competing perspectives reveal the intricacy of heritagisation, especially in times of greater ease of obtaining monetary funds aimed at revitalisation: what to revitalise, why and how?
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)229-250
JournalMitteilungen der Österreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft
Volume161
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Dec 31
Externally publishedYes

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Human Geography

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