A267: Transformation from Urban Industrial Heritage into Sports Space

Transforming urban industrial heritage into sports space is an energy-saving and efficient way of space development and utilization. It can effectively generate novel sports space resources, while the cultural connotations of space and new forces for driving sports consumption. However, the re-utilization of industrial heritage in most cities has not been closely integrated with urban renewal. Therefore, based on Lefebvre’s theory of spatial production, this research aims to provide a new production mechanism for the protection and utilization of industrial heritage as well as the sustainable development of cities. Method: On the stage of the Beijing Winter Olympics, the ingenious design of Shougang Big Air simultaneously honored the legacy of the steel era and harmonized with modern winter sports, realizing the “Green Olympics” vision, and establishing a paradigm for industrial heritage renewal. Therefore, this research takes Beijing Shougang Park as a unique case to study. Two field investigations in Beijing's Shougang Park were conducted in October 2024 and December 2024, respectively. Two consulting experts of the Beijing Winter Olympics, three department heads of Shougang Group, and two nearby residents were invited for an in-depth interview. Nearly 60-minute semi-structured interviews were conducted with each individual. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to content analysis. Shougang's practice demonstrates that industrial heritage can become sustainable spaces preserving history, energizing economies, and reshaping ecosystems through creative reinvention. Its main transformation includes transforming industrial heritage into sports venues and facilities in physical space; building a characteristic sports landscape with an Olympic theme in cultural space; and creating a technological and innovative sports consumption space in social space. Through cultural empowerment and technological innovation, former steel workshops evolved from “hardcore industrial spaces” into public sports parks, cultural landmarks, and urban vitality hubs. This study extends Lefebvre’s theory of spatial production to the intersection of industrial heritage and sports, revealing the complex interaction of power, capital, and culture in the process of spatial transformation. The research shows that the transformation of industrial heritage mainly relies on the combined effect of physical reconstruction, cultural integration, and social interaction to promote its transformation into a modern sports space. Reasonable operation strategies and reuse planning are key factors in ensuring the sustainable development of sports venues, including stratified scenario development, life-cycle management, collaborations with diverse sports organizations, and cutting-edge technology for innovation.