Red industrial heritage: A vibrant medium for disseminating contemporary Chinese mainstream culture

Red industrial heritage represents historical evidence and important revolutionary cultural relics of Chinese-style modernization under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It possesses distinct characteristics in terms of its temporal, conceptual, and value dimensions. Beyond serving as a repository of media memory, red industrial heritage functions as a vibrant medium for the dissemination of mainstream culture. Its defining features include the “Gaze-Immersion” effect, which evokes a return to historical scenes; the “Abstraction-Embodiment” process, which fosters material perception; and the “History-Reality” connection, which highlights contemporary relevance. However, current management practices for industrial heritage often follow the principle of “age priority,” resulting in challenges for the effective protection of red industrial heritage. Furthermore, when the cultural tourism industry intervenes in the protection and utilization of industrial heritage, it frequently emphasizes age value, location value, or esthetic appeal, while inadequately exploring and developing the cultural significance of red cultural resources. This oversight diminishes the role of red industrial heritage in disseminating mainstream culture. In recent years, increased attention to industrial heritage has expanded the pathways for mainstream culture dissemination, including conservation and renewal, intellectual property empowerment, and community participation. These approaches have generated valuable experiences and insights into enhancing the cultural and social functions of red industrial heritage.