The Industrial Revolution was born in north-western Europe, in Great Britain , and soon after arrived in Belgium , rapidly spreading across the whole continent. The Industrial Revolution represented such a radical change, both economically and socially, that it has become part of the continent's identity. Later industrial changes, the closure of factories, etc., have left in their wake an extensive legacy of industrial heritage that is in many cases difficult to preserve and maintain in good order.
With the aim of preserving this historical legacy through cooperation between different states, the European Network of Industrial Heritage has been formally established with the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) Interrerg II C project. Within this first ERIH a master plan was developed identifying concrete ideas and activities to promote European industrial heritage. Currently, it is carrying out a five-year project bringing together authorities, academic institutions and non-profit organisations concerned with industrial heritage and tourism from different states. The main objective is to preserve European industrial heritage as a motor for the development of regions in economic decline.
And with this aim various activities are being carried out, mainly of a tourism and leisure nature. With the intention of bringing industrial heritage closer to the people “Anchor Points” have been created, intended to be information points about industrial heritage at a local level, which at the same time will act as guides to more extensive routes at the regional level. Thematically-linked, European routes have also been created related to textiles, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, energy, transport and communications, water, architecture and construction, the leisure industry and services, and industrial landscapes.
mNACTEC and the Regional Museum System have approached the organisation in order to exchange experiences with other international networks concerned with industrial heritage.
As it has managed to consolidate itself in the field, ERIH represents a European reference point for tourism and industrial heritage in those areas where it is present. Currently, the main participating countries are Belgium, Germany, Holland, Austria and Great Britain . However, there are other countries also taking part in the creation of this extensive and increasingly consolidated network, where both the institutions involved and the public, who are able to find out about and enjoy this historic, industrial legacy, have noticed the benefits.