The Reindustrialisation of Wallonia: Toward a New Economic Renaissance

Abstract

This thesis explores the concept of reindustrialization in Wallonia, a region historically reliant on heavy industries that have seen significant decline in recent decades. The primary goal is to examine how reindustrialization can lead to a new economic renaissance for Wallonia, addressing the challenges of economic stagnation, high unemployment, and low productivity. By analyzing global and regional trends, the study constructs a modern definition of rein- dustrialization and investigates the socio-economic drivers that could facilitate this process in Wallonia. Key areas of focus include innovation, sustainability, and the integration of advanced technologies such as Industry 4.0 and green energy. The thesis is structured to first provide a comprehensive literature review on the evolution of reindustrialization concepts, followed by an analysis of potential drivers in Wallonia’s context. Case studies from Germany, Poland, and Hauts-de-France are used to draw compar- ative insights. The study concludes by identifying emerging industrial sectors that align with the resources and capabilities of Wallonia, offering strategic recommendations to promote resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability in the industrial landscape of the region. Through a mixed-method approach combining data analysis, case studies, and theoretical frameworks, the thesis presents reindustrialization as a strategic tool for Wallonia’s economic recovery, contributing to broader European industrial objectives and positioning the region as a leader in sustainable industrial developmen