De enclave productivo a nodo patrimonial.

Abstract

The "Minas de Sal de Upín" salt complex played a central role in the economic and social growth of the municipality of Restrepo, Meta, through the mining exploitation of rock salt and brine, which enabled local development from 1913 to 1992. Subsequently, due to ground failures, geological faults, changes in administration, and difficulties in the competitiveness of salt extraction processes, the mine closed its doors. Since then, the facilities have remained abandoned, triggering a process of deterioration. This decay not only represents the loss of an important cultural symbol, but also the loss of the potential this space holds for the built heritage of Restrepo. In light of the above, this research project proposes a refunctionalization plan for the former salt mine, supported by three stages. The first consisted of the analysis of similar cases of industrial heritage refunctionalization, in order to extract best practices in heritage management. The second involved the survey, diagnosis, and digitalization of the buildings within the salt complex, assessing their material, structural, and constructive condition, reconstructing the history of the complex, and describing its heritage value. The third stage consisted of generating a community consultation scenario with residents of Restrepo and tourists, based on an exhibition of constructed models, followed by the application of surveys aimed at detecting recognition of the complex and possible imaginaries for new vocations for the mine. As a result of these three stages, the Management Plan for the Refunctionalization of the Salinas de Upín is proposed, establishing guidelines for the recovery of the site within a refunctionalization framework, so that the complex becomes sustainable and capable of generating new social, cultural, and economic activities around the industrial heritage of Upín.