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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Red industrial heritage in China

into visually appealing, creatively rich products. By formed a military-industrial town, a configuration known
engaging consumers, these stories and cultural values as “one school, three factories.” In recent years, Pingfang
can be effectively communicated to tourists, with creative district has harnessed its resources to create a tourism
solicitations continuously generating new content. This model centered around red industrial heritage, blending
process fosters the development of cultural IP products existing industrial sites with the Japanese Kwantung
that resonate with the psychological needs of the audience Army Seventh Trinity Unit Invasion Evidence Sites into
(Li & Wang, 2021). a comprehensive tourist route. This approach has helped
Finally, community involvement is vital. Residents promote the “Northeast resistance spirit” (Liang, 2021).
should be encouraged to actively participate in the The integration of the “Northeast resistance spirit” with
preservation and renewal of industrial heritage, with their “craftsmanship” has successfully empowered the IP of red
opinions and suggestions collected through community industrial heritage, elevating the regional cultural tourism
meetings and workshops. In addition, community industry and enhancing the influence of local heritage.
education and science popularization initiatives can raise The combination of “mainstream culture + red cultural
awareness and appreciation of industrial heritage, especially innovation” is a critical pathway for red industrial heritage
among younger generations. Promoting the construction to disseminate mainstream culture. IP empowerment
of public venues, such as museums and exhibition halls provides this heritage with the ability to generate creative
that integrate industrial heritage with cultural tourism, can and dynamic value, breathing new life into these sites.
help establish a new trend of “cultural creativity + science However, this process also places high demands on the
popularization.” environmental conditions of red industrial heritage itself,
In recent years, China has increasingly focused on making it a topic worthy of focused attention and careful
building industrial museums, particularly community planning.
museums, as part of local government public cultural 6. Conclusion
initiatives. For example, industrial heritage communities
in cities such as Shanghai, Wuhan, and Guangzhou The dissemination of mainstream culture is a complex
have begun constructing museums that educate current and multifaceted endeavor, with red industrial heritage
residents – many of whom are no longer descended from serving as just one of many mediums through which it can
the original workers – about the area’s industrial history. be communicated. It is important to recognize that these
These museums highlight notable individuals, such as various media do not operate in isolation; rather, they
model laborers and engineers who once lived there, and can complement one another to broaden the channels of
showcase items such as community newspapers produced cultural transmission. However, two major pitfalls must be
by the factories. While these narratives may not hold a avoided in this process.
prominent place in the nation’s grand history, they are First, it is crucial to avoid homogenization. Each
nonetheless vital to the community’s local identity and are site of red industrial heritage possesses its own distinct
officially recognized as part of red industrial history. media memory and cultural significance, and treating
Ultimately, the value of red industrial heritage these diverse heritage sites as uniform representations
IP lies not in tangible objects but in its potential for of mainstream culture is a mistake. Instead, the unique
commercialization. To successfully integrate cultural IP cultural symbols of each site should be highlighted, with
with tourism and creative products, efforts must focus individual historical narratives crafted to reflect their
on merging cultural resources with technology while also specific contributions.
optimizing and upgrading these initiatives at the market A one-size-fits-all approach to transforming and
level (Li & Wang, 2021). repurposing industrial heritage not only risks stripping
For example, Pingfang district in Harbin, Heilongjiang these sites of their distinctiveness, thereby diminishing
province, China, is a significant hub of red industrial their cultural impact, but also overlooks the unique
heritage. During China’s Fifth 5-year Plan period, the historical and architectural value each site holds. Effective
central government established three national-level communication of mainstream culture must focus on
military industry enterprises in the district: AVIC three main aspects: transformation and reuse, innovation,
Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd. (Hafei), AVIC and humanization. These elements are essential for
Harbin Dong’an Engine (Group) Co., Ltd. (Dong’an), and building a cultural narrative that aligns with Chinese-style
Northeast Lightalloy Fabrication Plant (Dongqing). These modernization. Relying on empty slogans or combative
companies, along with the Harbin Engineering University rhetoric devalues these efforts and may provoke negative
(formerly known as PLA Military Engineering Institute), reactions that undermine the intended message.

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 13 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4611