Spatial Reproduction and Urban Identity in the Study of Industrial Memory Without Physical Relics: A Case Study of the Urban Design for Dajiang Innovation and Technology City, Chongqing
Abstract：This paper examines the urban design of the Chongqing Dajiang Innovation and Technology City, a case of regenerating a “Third Front” industrial site devoid of physical relics. It investigates how intangible industrial memory, with no tangible “traces” to follow, can drive contemporary urban spatial reproduction, thereby addressing the core challenge of missing physical heritage in renewing such sites. The research critiques the limitations of the conventional industrial heritage conservation model centered on material preservation. It argues that the imperative for protecting industrial memory depends not on the existence of physical relics but on the inherent value of the heritage itself. Building on this premise, the study proposes an integrated theoretical framework of “memory reproduction-spatial restructuring-urban functional iteration.” The findings demonstrate that the reproduction of industrial memory can be operationalized through three specific pathways: narrative extraction, symbolic implantation, and scenographic creation. This reproduced memory subsequently acts as a “spatial gene,” guiding planning decisions and facilitating the transformation of a single-use industrial zone into a multifunctional urban unit integrating commercial, residential, and scientific innovation. This process effectively transforms collective memory into place identity and consumption impetus, achieving a translation of historical value into socio-economic value. Consequently, it proposes a paradigm shift—from “heritage preservation” to “memory production”—and offers practical strategies for renewing similar “Third Front” industrial areas.
