Ports of Slovakia as Territorial Potential

In the present, the industrial heritage creates the identity of the contact area and the city. Also, it is an essential development potential. Many of these complexes include not only material capacities but also the intangible values. Their volumes and surfaces represent the economic potential for a development. Several of these spaces can be capitalized (sold or rented) so they form the territorial capital which can be economically used. Although a lot of spaces of the industrial heritage have such potential often these objects are abandoned or destroyed without acceptation of their significant values. The ports in Slovakia - Bratislava, Komarno and Sturovo are located on a river Danube linking several European countries. They have performed not only as a station route but mainly as a source of innovation and economic incentives on this important traffic artery. An industrial activity is reduced by changing the social and economic situation in the country. The plans of an owner are to modernize the production activities and move them from the city centres to the periphery. Abandoned areas and buildings could be used for other function. Bratislava's port is the biggest and the most remarkable harbour in Slovakia, with a long history and several National Cultural Monuments. The paper will present the values and potentials of Danube ports in Slovakia that are useful for the development of the city/region. Also, the territorial capital will be presented on each port. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.