Beijing to transform more old factories into cultural spaces

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Beijing published "Guidelines on Protecting and Utilizing Old Factory Buildings to Expand Cultural Space" at a press conference on April 4. [China.org.cn]

Beijing will transform more old factories into cultural centers, libraries, museums and galleries, according to guidelines released by the Beijing municipal government at a press conference on April 4.

The guidelines, which aim at providing a practical and effective plan, will be implemented through various means, including working processes, relevant policies, supporting services and project management.

Beijing currently has 242 old and unused factory buildings, which cover more than 25 million square meters. Among them, 109 have been renovated and 26 are being renovated. 

Zhao Lei, head of the Beijing Municipal Office for State-owned Cultural Assets Supervision and Management, said the old factories have their own histories. Therefore, the process of renovation will put protection first and carry out renovation in a scientific manner.

"The renovations will promote the further development of cultural and creative industries in Beijing," said Yu Junsheng, deputy director of the Publicity Department of Beijing Municipal Party Committee.

According to data released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics, the volume of the cultural and creative industries of Beijing reached 390.8 billion yuan (US$61.98 billion), up 12.3 percent from 2010.