Transformation of former industrial areas in recent decades has expanded its meaning to such an extent to be considered as the main element of urban modification; its spread and it scope have gone more and more increasing, putting their recovery as a necessity and often offering itself as a real opportunity to imagine the far-reaching changes of relationship and function within the city itself. In this abstract is proposed a three level analysis: at micro, medium and macro scale: analysing the debate on paradigmatic case studies may be useful for dealing such a broad issue that we consider not ascribable in single definitive perspective.