The Construction of Single-Industry Resource Towns in the PRC and Their Transformation Relying on Industrial Heritage:
A Case Study of Wanshan, Guizhou Province
Lindong Du, Xiaolong Li, Jintao Chen
Abstract：Single-industry resource towns constitute an important focus in modern urban development. A large number of single-industry resource towns were constructed in the early years of the PRC and made significant contributions to the nation’s industrialization. Taking Wanshan in Guizhou Province, a historic mercury mining hub, as a case study, this paper examines three aspects in its construction process: industrial production, The Soviet Union’s technical assistance, and the Workers’ Culture. This paper then clarifies the city’s distinctive characteristics in terms of spatial geography, production technology, labor organization, and cultural formation. By examining Wanshan’s transformation relying on industrial heritage tourism, this paper discusses whether industrial heritage can serve as a sustainable supporting path for the revitalization of single-industry resource towns. This paper also discusses the balance between industrial heritage preservation and tourism development.
