Weave a life in the mill : discovering the heritage significance of the textile mills at Yangshupu Road, Shanghai

Abstract

Yangshupu Road (YSPR) Industrial District is regarded as one of the earliest industrial districts in Shanghai. China’s first machine-weaving factory was established there, marking a turning point in the history of the country’s textile industry. During one hundred years, many cotton mills were built at YSPR. These mills witnessed the rise and fall of the city’s textile industry. According to the significance of textile industry and abundance of the remained buildings of this type, this dissertation will concentrate on discovering values of the existing mills in this area and aim to prepare the Statement of Significance of the mills that can provide a basis for conservation in future adaptive reuse. These heritage assets not only existed in the past, but also have profound influences for YSPR's urban renewal and future development. By conducting surveys about the history and development of the mills, the dissertation examines the values that shaped its physical environment and collective attachment from four dimensions: historic value, artistic value, social value and scientific value leading to the ups and downs of the mills. Finally, the last chapter will list the opportunities and strengths of mills, and try to propose some recommendations and suggestions for further conservation.