Action plan for a living heritage corridor

At a seminar in Yangpu on Friday, Shanghai’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage were presented as national models alongside other conservation measures from around the world.

The focus of the seminar was on the high-quality development and use of cultural heritage throughout the country.

At the event, the “Three-Year Action Plan (2024-2026) for Deepening the Construction of the Yangpu National Demonstration Area for the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Heritage” was released.

The action plan aims to improve heritage protection, optimise its use and build a vibrant heritage corridor.

Recognized as a national demonstration zone, the Yangpu riverside area once played a crucial role in China’s industrial revolution.

The 15.5-kilometer-long section is home to the country’s first water, electricity, shipbuilding and textile companies, and also includes major attractions such as China’s first modern waterworks and the largest thermal power station in East Asia.

Historically, the region generated a quarter of Shanghai’s total industrial output and a twentieth of China’s total industrial output. Well-known brands such as Forever, Phoenix Bikes and Shanghai Watch originate from Yangpu.

The seminar also introduced the project of Suzhou Pingjiang Historical and Cultural District and presented presentations from other national relics and museums.

Experts discussed the protection of industrial heritage and urban development using case studies from Beijing and Nanjing.

Participants visited local cultural sites such as the Yangpu Library, Columbia Circle and the China Modern Newspaper Museum to gain insight into efforts to protect cultural heritage and promote innovation.

Yangpu aims to cooperate with cultural heritage officials nationwide to promote the protection and utilization of cultural heritage resources and thus contribute to the global preservation of historical and cultural heritage, the district government said.