How can former industrial buildings be transformed into vibrant spaces for culture, education, community life, and economic activity? How can cities preserve their industrial heritage while responding to contemporary urban challenges?
These questions will be at the heart of the international conference “Haifa–Łódź Dialogue: Adaptive Reuse of Urban Industrial Spaces”, taking place on October 26, 2026, at the School of Design at the University of Haifa.
The conference, supported by the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv and organized in cooperation with SparkPro, an Israeli organization developing international social, academic and educational projects, is part of an ongoing Polish-Israeli academic and professional collaboration between the University of Haifa and Lodz University of Technology.
The initiative aims to encourage the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and innovative approaches to urban regeneration, adaptive reuse of industrial architecture, and the role of industrial heritage in shaping contemporary cities.
Łódź and Haifa, two cities with rich industrial histories, provide a compelling starting point for this dialogue. Łódź, once a major European industrial center, has undergone significant urban transformation, with former factories and industrial complexes being converted into spaces for culture, education, housing, business, and creative industries. Its experience offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainable urban regeneration.
The conference will bring together Polish and Israeli academics, architects, urban planners, and design professionals to exchange perspectives on the preservation and transformation of industrial heritage.
Among the speakers will be Prof. Artur Zaguła from Lodz University of Technology, who will explore the revitalization of post-industrial heritage in Łódź and its contribution to the city’s evolving identity. Other speakers include Prof. Marcos Silber, architect Ami Shinar, Dr. Arch. Dana Margalith, designer Rami Tareef, and architect Niva Aviram, representing different academic and professional perspectives.
The programme features four sessions focusing on adaptive reuse practices in Poland and Israel, sustainable design, urban identity, and opportunities for international cooperation.
The projects were developed as part of an academic course focusing on the transformation of existing buildings. The students’ work was inspired, among other experiences, by a study visit to Łódź, organized within the framework of the Polish-Israeli academic collaboration and supported by the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv. During their visit, students explored examples of successful industrial regeneration, participated in lectures and guided architectural tours, and learned about the transformation of Łódź’s industrial landscape.
The Haifa–Łódź Dialogue demonstrates how shared challenges and diverse experiences can inspire new approaches to urban development, creating opportunities for cooperation that extend beyond national borders.
Monday, October 26, 2026
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Address: The School of Design, University of Haifa, 21 HaGanim St., Haifa
Free entrance, no need for prior registration
Languages of the conference: English, Hebrew
Continuing the Thread: Polish Embroidery Workshops at
Bezalel Students on a Study Visit to
