Page 26 - JCAU-5-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Development of industrial heritage reuse modes

(Zhang & Xia, 2008). Yu & Fang (2006) have identified on industrial heritage reuse toward a more comprehensive
four models for the protection and reuse of China’s perspective. Notable engineering practices emerged
industrial heritage, including urban open spaces, tourist during this period (Huang & Liu, 2022), including the
resorts, exhibition halls, convention centers, and creative transformation of Xinyi Guild Hall led by developers, the
industrial parks (Yu & Fang, 2006). Their research findings conversion of Xi’an Dahua Yarn Factory into an industrial
also indicate a limitation in the categorization of industrial museum, the redevelopment of Fujian Mawei Shipyard
heritage, as it lacks differentiation based on different scales under active preservation measures, the repurposing of
and tends to be overly generalized. This means that the Guangzhou Red Brick Factory for creative industries, and
existing classification systems may not adequately capture the transformation of Tianjin Glass Factory into modern
the nuances and specific characteristics of industrial residential quarters.
heritage at various scales, such as regional factories, factory
areas, industrial factories, and single structures. Industrial tourism gradually gained attention as a
prominent aspect of activation and utilization. The keyword
Due to the ambiguous definition of “industrial heritage,” “industrial heritage tourism” highlights the focus in this
scholars have used terms like “abandoned land” and regard. Industrial heritage also began to embrace a more
“brown land” to describe the vacant spaces left behind after public and citizen-oriented approach, as indicated by the
industrial heritage relocation, which possess distinctive keywords “community involvement” and “rehabilitation of
landscape characteristics (Xu, 2021). Consequently, some community.” Researchers recognized the adverse impact
practical projects have explored the protection and reuse of of old industrial production on the urban environment.
post-industrial heritage through landscape transformation While emphasizing economic growth, they proposed
and design. The landscape design of industrial heritage various concepts emphasizing ecological restoration and
during this period exhibits esthetic features, and there conservation. The keywords “ecology,” “environmentally
is a growing trend toward the “parkization” of industrial friendly,” and “eco-energy conservation” reflect these
heritage sites. concerns.
Theoretical research during the initial stage laid the The model of activating and reusing industrial
groundwork for exploring the value of industrial heritage heritage is proposed based on an analysis of different
reuse. However, the research content was scattered, and resource endowments and values in cities, along with
a comprehensive theoretical framework had not yet been the identification of suitable renewal methods within
established. The concept, meaning, classification, and each site. Researchers have moved beyond a single
scope of industrial heritage had not been clearly defined. transformation approach and explored multiple ways,
Moreover, scholars analyzed practical projects aimed leading to a proliferation of related research papers during
at revitalizing large-scale industrial heritage in cities to this period. For instance, Bao & Xu (2012) proposed a
explore the fundamental direction of industrial heritage comprehensive activation model for large-scale industrial
reuse. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research data specific heritage sites, considering the reuse of site corridors, site
to industrial heritage sites in China, leading to reliance
on international perspectives, particularly from the UK, parks, and site museums. Chen & Hu (2013) analyzed
Germany, France, and other countries (Liu et al., 2007; Shao the evolution of Shanghai’s industrial heritage, observing
et al., 2008). In addition, scholars have primarily focused on a progression from the frozen protection in museums to
three areas: industrial tourism, the renovation of industrial artist-led preservation of individual industrial buildings,
buildings, and the design of industrial heritage landscapes. the establishment of creative industrial parks, and the
emergence of more diverse forms of industrial heritage
(ii) The vigorous period: Diversified transformation and protection and utilization with commercial or cultural
all-round development (2010 – 2015) functions, and argued that industrial heritage protection
In 2010, the Academic Committee on Industrial and utilization are characterized by a diversified pattern.
Architectural Heritage of the Architectural Society of Specific measures for the reuse of docks in urban riverside
China was established. It endorsed the policy document industrial relics have been explored (Tian & Li, 2013).
“Beijing Initiative” for the rescue of industrial heritage. Regarding the ecotype transformation of industrial
In the same year, the Shanghai World Expo opened, the heritage, Tian & Dong (2013) discussed methods and
transformation of industrial buildings into the World Expo approaches for the sustainable utilization of industrial
exhibition hall showcased innovative modes of industrial heritage within the context of urban revitalization, and
heritage utilization, characterized by diversity, fashion, conducted design research on the overall protection and
and ecological consideration (Huang & Liu, 2022; Zuo, reuse of the Hanyang Steel Plant under the theme of “Steel
2010). This development led to a shift in national research Green Boat”.

Volume 5 Issue 3 (2023) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1034