Baosteel Group’s Former Stainless Steel Plant To Get New Life As Culture Hub

It is reported that the city’s 80 year old iron-steel center in the north will be preserved and developed into a scenic historical conservation zone and innovative art parks. The Baosteel Group’s former stainless steel plant in Baoshan District will be transformed into a “stainless steel scenic industrial neighborhood” that showcases the heritage of the traditional steel-making process.

District said that it is part of the district’s contribution to the city government’s campaign to promote Shanghai’s four brands: manufacturing, services, shopping and culture.

A district official said that “The preservation of our historic industrial heritage is part of the efforts to highlight the ‘Shanghai culture.”

Mr Wang Yichuan, director of the Baoshan culture bureau said that “The steelmaking site is well-preserved and can showcase the development of the city’s heavy industry in the last century.”

The Baosteel plants along the Yangtze River were established in 1938.

Production ended last year as the operation relocated in line with the city’s industrial and environmental blueprint.

Over 400 buildings of the former steel plant have been preserved. The workshops, furnaces and gas units will be converted into art galleries, concerts halls, hotels, offices and recreation facilities. As part of the plan, the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University will move into the site around 2020. An “international art city” is planned to attract cultural, art and creative design institutions from around the world.