Collaborative ecosystems connecting people and heritage the journey of Miss Miyagi, a positive impact real estate developer in Belgium

Abstract

This research paper aims at contributing to the debate on the crucial role of adaptive reuse of cultural heritage in transitioning towards a circular-human centered adaptive reuse. Through the lens of heritage as a living system (Fusco Girard 2019), this paper explores how the entrepreneurial journey of an award-winning industrial heritage building, namely: De Hoorn in Leuven, Belgium, led to establishing a positive impact real estate developer, namely: Miss Miyagi. This young Belgian start-up initiated another award-winning industrial heritage building and launched an innovative cooperative investment fund. By narrating a positive impact entrepreneurial journey, this paper showcases the role heritage plays as a unique opportunity for commoning, innovation and contributing to the circular perspective. Finally, since the opportunity, entrepreneurial characteristic, and the process are not the only essential ingredients to success, this paper highlights how building an ecosystem and being supported by an enabling environment was also crucial. In the first part of this paper, the living system experience is put into context. In the second part, the author sheds light on the regenerative, generative, and symbiotic capacities of this living system (Fusco Girard 2019). Finally, the last part reflects on this novel experience.