Element System of Industrial Heritage Transformation in Turin: Collaborative Assessment and Design Strategies

The transformation of industrial heritage is a key issue in global urban renewal and sustainable development. With the decline of traditional manufacturing industries, numerous industrial heritage sites face challenges such as functional degradation, spatial vacancy, and reduced social integration. However, industrial heritage not only carries significant historical and cultural value but also holds great potential for adaptive reuse, contributing to innovation-driven urban development, industrial upgrading, and public cultural formation. Therefore, the critical question in contemporary research is how to systematically evaluate the influencing factors of transformation through a scientific assessment framework and optimize design strategies based on collaborative relationships. This study first reviews the theoretical evolution of global industrial heritage conservation and transformation, focusing on the development of interdisciplinary integrated models. It then analyzes the characteristics of cultural identity, adaptive reuse, and multi-level governance in the context of Italian cases. By summarizing international examples, the study identifies core impact factors across social, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions, and constructs a comprehensive assessment framework grounded in the collaborative interaction of key transformation elements, providing theoretical support for subsequent design strategies. Using Turin, Italy as a case study, the research analyzes three representative projects—Parco Dora, OGR Innovation Hub, and the Lingotto Complex. Employing Social Network Analysis (SNA), a collaborative evaluation model is developed to quantify interrelations among transformation factors. The findings show that successful transformations rely on the synergy among cultural, economic, environmental, and social elements, with network structures varying across models. For example, Parco Dora emphasizes environmental-social synergy through ecological restoration, while OGR Innovation Hub exemplifies a culture-economy-governance mechanism. Based on these insights, the study proposes five transformation strategies: mixed-function and spatial diversity, culture-driven industry regeneration, green infrastructure integration, fusion of historical memory and modern innovation, and multi-level collaborative governance. These are implemented in the Mirafiori Factory transformation, forming a design framework driven by collaborative synergies. Core interventions include modular prefabricated inter-column units, open and shared cultural spaces, an ecologically sustainable atrium, optimized urban interfaces, and a spatial governance model—enhancing spatial adaptability, resilience, and long-term sustainability. The innovation of this study lies in establishing a systematic framework that integrates SNA to quantitatively reveal collaborative relationships among key transformation elements. By linking this with spatial design strategies, the research shifts from singular conservation to multi-functional adaptive transformation, ensuring long-term value realization of industrial heritage within sustainable urban development. The findings not only apply to Turin but also offer a reference for global industrial heritage transformation practices.