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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Red industrial heritage in China

destination in its own right (Hashimoto & Telfer, 2017). concepts, which are protected under IP ownership. It is an
This shift has shaped a new cultural identity for industrial intangible property that can be shared and transferred to
heritage, fostering a sense of belonging and reshaping its generate economic benefits. This stage is considered the
cultural image (Xie, 2015; Schofield, 1996). To maximize foundational level of IP (Li, 2017). The IP of red industrial
this potential, cultural works centered on industry should heritage revolves around mainstream cultural values,
be encouraged, including industrial narratives and iconic conveying explicit and implicit information through
figures presented through various mediums such as films, symbolic forms that embody the mainstream culture and
literature collections, and summit forums. These efforts help the red spirit. These symbols grant red industrial heritage
communicate the mainstream cultural values embedded a dual attribute of cultural and commercial value (Yuan &
in industrial heritage. Supporting media outlets in Miao, 2020).
establishing dedicated channels and columns on industrial In recent years, the rapid growth of Chinese museums’
heritage can amplify the industry’s voice, helping more cultural and creative industries has led to the flourishing of
people understand and appreciate its cultural significance historical theme IPs, creating a robust system represented by
and promote preservation, transmission, and innovation. cultural creations from the Forbidden City and Dunhuang.
For instance, the “Two Bombs City” in Zitong County, This evolution reflects a shift from physical products to a
Sichuan province, China, integrates tourist activities such broader range of commercial services and virtual products,
as selfies and live broadcasts to expand visibility and social alongside a vertical transformation from IP authorization
impact. Similarly, in March 2021, cultural relic expert Shan to IP conversion. However, cultural creativity in the realm
Jixiang collaborated with celebrities to produce the series of red museums has lagged behind other areas of cultural
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles in Huangshi city, Hubei innovation. This gap can be attributed to various factors,
province, China, introducing the region’s red industrial particularly public opinion and political risks associated
heritage and the history of its workers’ movement (Li, with red culture IP. As a result, many cultural institutions
2021). In July 2021, CCTV News Channel partnered with and museums, including those managing revolutionary
the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to cultural relics, have adopted a cautious approach to red
produce Internet Famous Places and Industrial Heritage, a culture IP conversion, significantly slowing progress (Han
program spotlighting several red industrial heritage sites. & Gao, 2021).
These broadcasts vividly conveyed mainstream cultural In contrast, red industrial heritage offers greater
values, such as the “CPC Spirit,” “Lei Feng Spirit,” and flexibility for IP conversion compared to revolutionary
“Iron Man Spirit,” playing a vital role in promoting and cultural relics. Without achieving IP transformation,
preserving mainstream cultural narratives. red industrial heritage sites risk neglect or even
However, as of September 2024, China lacks dedicated dismantlement. The pathway to overcoming this challenge
media platforms – both academic and public – focused on lies in IP empowerment, which involves converting the
industrial heritage. Even on self-media platforms such as historical and cultural memory embedded in these sites
Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, and TikTok, prominent accounts into IP and employing market-driven strategies to recreate
dedicated to this subject, particularly the promotion of red experiences and enhance their capacity to disseminate
industrial heritage, are absent. This notable shortcoming mainstream culture. This potential stems from the inherent
underscores the vast opportunities for future development innovativeness of red industrial heritage.
in this area. In the digital era, IP empowerment of red industrial

5.2. Promote IP empowerment of red industrial heritage has become a critical tool for promoting mainstream
heritage through “mainstream culture + red cultural culture. First, accurately identifying the carriers of this IP
is essential. The development of red industrial heritage IP
innovation”
should not be confined to tourist souvenirs but extend into
The ability of red industrial heritage to serve as a medium fields such as artistic performances, film and television
for disseminating mainstream culture is deeply rooted in productions, and cultural and creative products. These
its unique cultural value. From the perspective of cultural diverse mediums can evoke deep emotional resonance
industry theory, red industrial heritage contains a wealth of among consumers through physical and virtual displays.
IP resources, with IP being a key symbol that highlights the Second, innovation is crucial for red industrial heritage
distinct characteristics of cultural heritage. The core IP of IP content. While highlighting the historical and cultural
red industrial heritage is undeniably mainstream culture.
significance of red industrial heritage, efforts should
IP refers to the property rights creators hold over their focus on exploring and creating fresh IP content. Local
intellectual achievements, such as graphics, brands, and historical and cultural resources should be transformed

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4611