Exploring the Temporal, Spatial and Characteristic Trends and Key Influencing Factors of Tianjin’s Industrial Heritage

Abstract

Tianjin is currently in the phase of urban stock renewal, yet its industrial heritage encounters significant challenges, including constrained spatial development, a misalignment between industrial progress and the reuse of industrial heritage, and an understated cultural representation. This study utilized geospatial analysis methods, including kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse analysis, and gravity migration model analysis, to elucidate the distribution characteristics of Tianjin’s industrial heritage across temporal, spatial, and typological dimensions. Moreover, a geographic detector was employed to assess the impact of various factors on the development of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, ultimately elucidating the correlations between existing challenges and objective patterns. The conclusion of this paper presents three strategic approaches for the renewal of industrial heritage, emphasizing historical culture, environmental space, and sustainable development. These strategies are designed to provide a solid research foundation for protecting and revitalizing Tianjin’s industrial heritage resources.

1. Introduction

The deindustrialization of urban economies has given rise to an increasing array of development challenges. The focus of urban development has shifted from expanding beyond city centers to optimizing existing land use. Abandoned industrial areas, which possess significant historical, artistic, and scientific value, have been recognized as industrial heritage. As a vital part of cultural heritage, industrial heritage embodies crucial historical, cultural, social, and scientific significance. It not only chronicles the history of industrial development but also reflects rich industrial culture, showcases changes in social structures, highlights unique architectural styles, and demonstrates technological advancements.

According to international definitions, industrial heritage includes the remnants of industrial sites, buildings, complexes, areas, landscapes, machinery, objects, and documents that provide evidence of historical or ongoing industrial production processes. Numerous scholars worldwide have explored various aspects of heritage, including its role in fostering urban gentrification [1], the revitalization of cultural heritage through community engagement [2], the economic valuation of industrial heritage [3], and strategies for its renewal within regional theoretical frameworks [4]. These studies highlight the significant potential of industrial heritage conservation and adaptive reuse, illustrating how transforming these sites into valuable resources can drive urban renewal.

As China undergoes restructuring and optimization of its urban industrial landscape, the rational protection and utilization of industrial heritage play a key role in enhancing the efficiency of urban spatial functions, revitalizing land resources, and enriching cities with cultural depth and vitality. By integrating industrial heritage into urban development strategies, cities can promote urban renewal and foster high-quality growth. This approach is crucial not only for preserving the heritage itself but also for ensuring the long-term sustainability of urban environments.

Tianjin, strategically located along the Haihe River, is an economic hub and the largest port city in northern China, as shown in Figure 1. With its deep-water port and well-developed inland transportation network, it ranks among the world’s largest ports in terms. As one of the birthplaces of modern Chinese industry, Tianjin is home to several historically significant industrial sites. These include the Beiyang Navy’s Dagu Shipyard, the first modern shipyard in northern China, and the National Mint, the largest mechanized coin minting center during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. These sites reflect Tianjin’s pivotal role in China’s industrial heritage. In addition, Tianjin has birthed pivotal achievements in the industrial sector of New China, including the first domestically made bicycle and wristwatch, affirming its status as one of the country’s venerable industrial strongholds [5]. Therefore, Tianjin’s industrial heritage exemplifies national representativeness and serves as a tangible repository of the city’s industrial history [6]. In the context of urban development, Tianjin’s industrial heritage has increasingly been seen as an obstacle to spatial progress. However, the adaptive reuse of this heritage offers a crucial opportunity to preserve historical culture, enhance land use efficiency, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainable urban development. In China, the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage is largely policy-driven, which can result in challenges such as policy ambiguity; uneven resource distribution; and the overlooking of historical, cultural, and environmental considerations. This study aims to explore the spatiotemporal patterns and environmental factors impacting industrial heritage reuse, providing a scientific basis for policy development. It also offers practical recommendations for addressing the complexities of achieving balanced development in this field.

The “14th Five-Year Plan” [7] serves as a national framework outlining the Chinese government’s objectives for revitalizing and optimally utilizing industrial heritage resources. Thus, Tianjin has enacted a suite of policies, notably the “Tianjin Industrial Heritage Management Measures” [8], which aimed at enhancing the preservation and enduring legacy of these priceless assets. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to continually refine the legal and regulatory frameworks about Tianjin’s industrial heritage, significantly enhancing the protection and adaptive reuse of the city’s industrial relics.

In recent years, Chinese scholars have extensively examined various aspects of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. Their research spans topics such as the revitalization of industrial heritage [9], the development of industrial heritage corridors [10], the evolution of modern industrial development in Tianjin [11], the creative reuse of industrial heritage [12], the establishment of an industrial heritage database [13], and the formulation of protection and management regulations [14]. These studies explore the spatial layout, functional facilities, distribution patterns, the integration of emerging industries, and the creation of an information database for industrial heritage. Together, these research efforts offer valuable insights into the reutilization and sustainable development of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. However, current research also shows that the approvals for the preservation and utilization of Tianjin’s industrial heritage primarily depend on policy orientations, refining regulations, and suggesting policy amendments [15,16].

Cities encompass both natural and social environments, making the impact of environmental factors on urban spatial patterns a key focus in spatial geography research. These factors provide a foundational context for urban development, raising important questions about their potential constraints on the evolution of industrial heritage. Furthermore, understanding how different types of environmental factors uniquely influence this development is essential [17,18]. However, research in this area remains limited, and traditional spatial analysis methods often struggle to quantify the extent of these factors’ influence on industrial heritage development. In the context of ongoing urban stock renewal, this study explores existing spatial patterns of industrial heritage and how environmental factors affect its development using geographic detector methods, which can effectively uncover underlying driving forces by examining the spatial stratified heterogeneity of geographical phenomena. The findings suggest that the reuse of industrial heritage typically follows policy regulations and reflects the designers’ understanding of and planning for these sites. However, there is often inadequate consideration of the environmental factors influencing heritage development, which may result in unsustainable reuse practices. Thus, the relationship between industrial heritage development and the surrounding environmental factors is critical for guiding future planning and design efforts. This relationship underscores the practical importance of sustainable reuse strategies for industrial heritage.

As efforts to preserve and leverage Tianjin’s industrial heritage evolve, on-site surveys of specific industrial heritage sites underscore the multifaceted influences shaping their preservation and utilization, resulting in notable regional and structural differences, as follows:

(1)

Due to the diverse historical epochs of industrial heritage construction, discernible regional disparities in their preservation and utilization have emerged. For example, industrial legacies dating from the modern era to the inception of the People’s Republic of China are typically designated as heritage conservation units, either actively maintained or in dormant states. Subsequently, while certain industrial heritage sites have evolved to fulfill their original functions or adopted new roles, others have been neglected, facing imminent risk of deterioration.

(2)

Urban spatial planning has led to distinct variations in the environments of industrial heritage sites. Notably, some sites located along North Jiefang Road and the banks of the Haihe River benefit from favorable environmental conditions. In contrast, some are situated in secluded neighborhoods or rural areas, experiencing restricted accessibility and less conducive spatial environments.

(3)

Local economic and industrial planning has fostered structural disparities in the strategies for developing and utilizing industrial heritages: in Tianjin, the repurposing of industrial heritage mainly focuses on functions like museums, industrial parks, and government services, according to standardized preservation practices.

(4)

Social and environmental factors play a pivotal role in shaping regional disparities in the condition of industrial heritage. From structural integrity to interior and exterior spaces and the overall site environment, conditions vary significantly, ranging from severe neglect and damage to meticulous preservation. These discrepancies often align with a region’s geographic location, GDP, and related variables. Typically, regions with superior conditions exhibit more robust conservation efforts, while others struggle to achieve effective preservation.

The mentioned differences are becoming evident in the activities of preserving and utilizing Tianjin’s industrial heritage. These efforts encounter many hindrances stemming from heritage construction’s temporal and spatial characteristics and the nature of production. This constraint presents challenges for industrial heritage, consequently impeding urban development. Therefore, striking a harmonious balance between preserving and adapting industrial heritage to become a focal point of urban growth and city development has emerged as an urgent imperative. Thus, this paper addressed this problem by comprehensively examining Tianjin’s industrial heritage, including elucidating the temporal and spatial dynamics, as well as the typological characteristics of the heritage distribution, by employing geospatial analysis techniques provided by ArcGIS 10.7 (a Geographic Information System software), such as kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse analysis, centroid shift models, and conventional mathematical statistics. Furthermore, influential factors and explanatory power behind the distribution disparities of industrial heritage resources were identified to unveil the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and inherent laws of Tianjin’s industrial heritage from a geographical and historical perspective. Lastly, theoretical suggestions are proposed to help Tianjin’s industrial heritage navigate its difficulties, providing a research base for the conservation and creative reuse of industrial heritage resources in Tianjin.

2. Research Method

Quantitative analysis was performed to investigate the historical culture, spatial characteristics, and typological attributes of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. This research examined the influence of environmental factors and analyzed the underlying patterns that govern this heritage to identify effective entry points for the utilization of industrial heritage. Specifically, kernel density analysis was employed to explore Tianjin’s industrial heritage’s temporal, spatial, and typological distribution patterns. In addition, standard deviation ellipse analysis, centroid migration models, and concentration analysis were used to develop targeted reutilization strategies that emphasize historical culture, spatial planning, and significant heritage types. Furthermore, geographical detectors were utilized to quantify the impact of environmental factors on the development of industrial heritage. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis aimed to yield practical policy recommendations that enhance the sustainable reuse of Tianjin’s industrial heritage.

2.1. Data Collection

The data utilized in this study comprise the modern industrial heritage of Tianjin listed in the “National Industrial Heritage List” [19] and the “China Industrial Heritage Protection Directory” [20]. They also include a compilation of Tianjin’s industrial heritage from the period of its opening until the reform and opening up of New China (1860–1978), which had been collaboratively collected and organized by Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin University, and the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute. This dataset encompasses industrial remnants from various sectors, including light manufacturing, printing, textiles, transportation, communication equipment manufacturing, and electronics, featuring industrial sites, buildings, and ancillary facilities.

The spatial vector data used in this paper were sourced from the National Basic Geographic Information System of China and the National Administrative Division Information Query Platform [21]. Data related to the main river system of the Haihe and other water systems were derived from Tianjin’s administrative boundaries [22]. Additionally, factors influencing the distribution differences of industrial heritage in Tianjin, such as transportation, economy, and population, were obtained from the official statistical data published in the Tianjin Statistical Yearbook [23].

2.2. Research Methods

This study investigated the distribution patterns and underlying historical causes of shifts in the distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage utilizing ArcGIS as the primary analytical tool, complemented by statistics and supported by corroborative historical evidence. The analysis procedure used in this study [24] is shown in Figure 2. Initially, geographic coordinate data of industrial heritage sites were gathered and imported into ArcGIS, facilitating the conversion of these coordinates into a point layer. This process enabled the creation of a density map, visually representing the concentration of heritage across various regions. Subsequently, the industrial heritage data were organized chronologically by year or time interval, with ArcGIS’s “Geoprocessing Tools” utilized to calculate centroids for each period, thereby illustrating their migration paths over time. Additionally, the spatial data were prepared for analysis using the “Standard Deviation Ellipse” tool, which effectively captured the center, major axis, and minor axis of the ellipse, reflecting the direction and extent of spatial distribution. Environmental factors influencing the development of industrial heritage were also compiled and formatted to ensure compatibility with geographical detector analysis. An appropriate analysis area was selected to ensure a sufficient number of sample points, with environmental factors and target variables reclassified as necessary. The core algorithm of geographical detectors was then employed to calculate the “q value” for each environmental factor, allowing for the identification of the most significant influences. By quantifying the spatial distribution of industrial heritage alongside these environmental factors, this study established a robust empirical foundation for the protection and sustainable utilization of industrial heritage in Tianjin.

(1)

Kernel density estimation: This method quantitatively examines the spatiotemporal distribution and clustering characteristics of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. Within the framework of Geographic Information Systems, this analysis method primarily evaluates and portrays the density and focal concentration of resource elements within a specified spatial boundary [25]. The foundational function is as follows:

$${\mathrm{f}}_{\mathrm{n}}\left(\mathrm{x}\right)={\displaystyle \frac{1}{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{h}}}{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}\mathrm{k}{\displaystyle \frac{|\mathrm{x}-{\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}|}{\mathrm{h}}}$$

(1)

where h > 0 denotes the bandwidth, n is the total number of industrial heritage, and |$\mathrm{x}-$${\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}$| de-notes the distance from the valuation point $\mathrm{x}$ to the industrial heritage point ${\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}$.

(2)

Gravity migration model: This study employed a centroid migration model to trace the spatial evolution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage throughout its historical timeline. This model serves as a robust spatial analysis tool, effective in unraveling the dynamic patterns of regional resources as they shift across time and space [26]. The foundational function is as follows:

$$\overline{\mathrm{x}}={\displaystyle \frac{\sum _{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{\sum _{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{i}}}},\overline{\mathrm{y}}={\displaystyle \frac{\sum _{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\mathrm{y}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{\sum _{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{i}}}}$$

(2)

where (${\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}$,${\mathrm{y}}_{\mathrm{i}}$) is the center of geographical coordinates of each administrative unit in Tianjin, and ${\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ is the value of industrial heritage in each administrative unit in each historical period.

(3)

Standard deviation ellipse: The spatial distribution ellipse, characterized by fundamental parameters such as the center, major axis, minor axis, and orientation angle, quantitatively illustrates the overall spatial distribution characteristics of industrial heritage [27]. The basic function is as follows:

$$\mathrm{Average}\mathrm{center}:{\overline{\mathrm{X}}}_{\mathrm{w}}={\displaystyle \frac{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}}};{\overline{\mathrm{Y}}}_{\mathrm{w}}={\displaystyle \frac{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\mathrm{y}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}}}$$

(3)

$$\mathrm{t}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathsf{\theta }={\displaystyle \frac{\left({\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2{\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2-{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2\right)+\sqrt{{\left({\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2{\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2-{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2\right)}^2+4{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2{\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2}}{2{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2{\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}}}$$

(4)

$$\mathrm{X}\text{-}\mathrm{axis}\mathrm{standard}\mathrm{deviation}:{\mathsf{\sigma }}_{\mathrm{x}}=\sqrt{{\displaystyle \frac{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\left({\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathsf{\theta }-{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathsf{\theta }\right)}^2}{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2}}}$$

(5)

$$\mathrm{Y}\text{-}\mathrm{axis}\mathrm{standard}\mathrm{deviation}:{\mathsf{\sigma }}_{\mathrm{y}}=\sqrt{{\displaystyle \frac{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\left({\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathsf{\theta }-{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{s}\mathsf{\theta }\right)}^2}{{\sum }_{\mathrm{i}=1}^{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}^2}}}$$

(6)

where (${\mathrm{x}}_{\mathrm{i}}$,${\mathrm{y}}_{\mathrm{i}}$) represents the spatial location of the study object, and ${\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ represents the weight, which was set to be 1. ${\overline{\mathrm{X}}}_{\mathrm{w}},{\overline{\mathrm{Y}}}_{\mathrm{w}}$ represents the weighted mean center; θ is the orientation angle of the ellipse, indicating the angle formed by the clockwise rotation from true north to the major axis of the ellipse. ${\tilde{\mathrm{x}}}_{\mathrm{i}},{\tilde{\mathrm{y}}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ represent the coordinate deviations of each study object’s location from the mean center, while ${\mathsf{\sigma }}_{\mathrm{x}},{\mathsf{\sigma }}_{\mathrm{y}}$ represent the standard deviations along the x-axis and y-axis, respectively.

(4)

Concentration index: The concentration index shows a nuanced understanding of various resource elements’ distribution and specialization levels within designated areas. This study employed the Lorenz curve to dissect and delineate the structured characteristics of Tianjin’s industrial heritage according to type, offering a precise visualization of resource distribution and thereby enhancing insight into structural nuances [28]. The foundational function is as follows:

$$\mathrm{I}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{K}}{\mathrm{M}-\mathrm{K}}}$$

(7)

where C is the sum of the cumulative percentages of industrial heritage types; M is the sum of the cumulative percentages when the distribution is fully pooled; and K is the sum of the cumulative percentages when the distribution is fully averaged. The value range is [0, 1], and a larger value of I indicates a higher degree of centralization in terms of type.

(5)

GeoDetector: The geodetector method was applied to assess how natural and social environments influence the distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. By calculating and analyzing the q-value within the geodetector, this approach identifies which factors significantly explain the spatial distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of its distribution patterns and inherent characteristics [29]. The foundational function is as follows:

$$\mathrm{q}=(\mathrm{N}{\mathsf{\sigma }}^2-{\sum }_{\mathrm{h}=1}^{\mathrm{L}}\mathrm{N}{\mathsf{\sigma }}^2)/\mathrm{N}{\mathsf{\sigma }}^2$$

(8)

where $\mathrm{N}$ and ${\mathsf{\sigma }}^2$ are the number and variance of industrial heritage, respectively; $\mathrm{N}$ and ${\mathsf{\sigma }}^2$ are the value and variance of the influencing factors; L is the number of classifications of the influencing factors of category $\mathrm{h}$. Note that the domain of $\mathrm{q}$ is [0, 1], and the larger the value of $\mathrm{q}$ is, the stronger the explanatory power of the indicator on the distribution of the number of industrial heritage.

3. Results

3.1. Time Situation

3.1.1. Distribution of Industrial Heritage in Various Historical Periods

The era of formation significantly contributes to the valuation of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. This section concentrates on the historical progression of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, from establishing its port to the Reform and Opening-Up period.

Tianjin’s industrial heritage can be segmented into five key phases [30], each defined by historical events that caused significant societal shifts, as follows: first phase (1860–1894), from the formal opening of Tianjin’s port to the Sino-Japanese War; second phase (1895–1911), from the rise of the Beiyang government to the initial years of the Republic of China; third phase (1912–1936), from the establishment to the prelude of the Anti-Japanese War under the Republic of China; fourth phase (1937–1949), from the comprehensive outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War to the inception of the People’s Republic of China; and fifth phase (1950–1978), from the founding of the People’s Republic to the commencement of the Reform and Opening-Up era. These periods were further analyzed in decade-long segments to discern the evolving patterns of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 reveals substantial variation. The 1912–1936 period marked a peak, comprising approximately 40% of the total heritage. The years from 1860 to 1894 represented the lowest increase, accounting for around 7% of the total. The 1937–1949 period experienced a noticeable decline, making up only about 13% of the total. In other periods, the growth in new heritage remained relatively steady.

Figure 4 presents Tianjin’s industrial heritage distribution, emphasizing the clustered nature of new additions across various periods. According to statistical analysis, during the 1860–1894 period, Tianjin saw the introduction of seven industrial heritage sites, with five located along the Haihe River in the Binhai New Area and two along the river in Tianjin’s Heping District. This timeframe coincided with the “Sino-British Tianjin Treaty Additional Agreement,” which eased local policies and the business environment, positioning Tianjin as a key economic and trading center in the north [31]. Concurrently, Haihe’s maritime activities blossomed, extending from the estuary directly to Tianjin’s urban core, prompting the development of significant maritime-related industries, including new shipyards and enterprises like Swire, thus accelerating Tianjin’s modernization trajectory [32,33].

Between 1895 and 1911, Tianjin witnessed the establishment of sixteen new industrial heritage sites, with fourteen strategically located within the central urban districts and the remaining two situated in Xiqing and the burgeoning Binhai New Area. This period was marked by China’s significant defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent loss of naval dominance. Under Yuan Shikai’s leadership in Zhili Province, his implementation of the “New Policies” spurred substantial infrastructural advancements. Notable endeavors included the construction of pivotal transportation hubs like Tianjin West Station, Tangguantun Railway Station, and Jinghai Railway Station, alongside the historical site of the former Mint Factory. The focus of Tianjin’s modernization shifted toward the “Hebei New District” and other non-concession zones along the Southern Canal and Ziya River [34], signifying a historical pivot in industrial development toward areas not restricted by foreign concessions.

From 1912 to 1936, Tianjin established forty-one new industrial heritage sites, primarily concentrated rather than dispersed across the region. Thirty-five of the sites were strategically located within the city’s six central districts. The remaining sites were distributed, with three in the burgeoning Binhai New Area, two in Xiqing District, and one in Dongli District. With the advent of the Republic of China in 1912, Tianjin experienced a surge of vitality. National industries flourished because of the favorable business conditions in the concession zones, supported by policy initiatives from the Hebei New District. This industrial expansion predominantly radiated northwestward along the Southern and Northern Canals and southeastward along the mainstream of the Hai River, marking a robust phase in Tianjin’s economic development [35].

From 1937 to 1949, Tianjin witnessed the addition of fifteen new industrial heritage sites, with eleven situated within the city’s central districts and four in the Binhai New Area. As the Sino-Japanese War intensified, Tianjin emerged as a crucial transportation hub in the northern zone occupied by Japan. During this period, the Japanese established various industrial relics, such as the old Dagu Factory and the Xingang Shipyard, to transport resources from North China to Japan [36]. The distribution of industrial heritage during this era, closely aligned with the course of the Hai River, exemplifies Tianjin’s historical evolution as a pivotal hub for integrated land and maritime transportation.

From 1950 to 1978, Tianjin embraced the addition of fourteen industrial heritage sites, with a distribution of ten in the city center, seven across its encircling districts, and another seven in the strategic Binhai New Area and Ji County. In the wake of the People’s Republic of China’s inception, the ambitious First and Second Five-Year Plans were systematically executed, paralleled by comprehensive reforms of Tianjin’s riverine networks. Capitalizing on the robust industrial frameworks of its central area and the Binhai New Area, Tianjin embarked on the construction of numerous industrial enterprises, instrumental in spearheading national construction, enhancing productivity, and bolstering the economy [37,38,39]. This industrial proliferation gradually extended into the city’s peripheral districts. Moreover, the industrial legacies within Ji County serve as a testament to the extraordinary military fortification efforts undertaken in the northern highlands amidst the Sino-Soviet discord.

The history of Tianjin’s industrial development was intricately linked to political transformations. After China’s loss of sovereignty in 1840, Tianjin emerged as a vital commercial port following its official opening in 1860, attracting numerous foreign merchants and investments. This period marked the initial growth of industry, primarily concentrated in the Concession Area and the Binhai New Area. Subsequently, the Beiyang government regained power in Tianjin but retained control over the Concession Area and foreign-funded industries. In an effort to compete with these external influences, the Beiyang government initiated industrial construction in the southwestern part of Tianjin and the Hebei New Area, resulting in a concentration of industrial activities in both the southwestern region and the city center. After that, with the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, national industries began to flourish in the Concession Area and Hebei New Area, and industrial construction continued to expand, increasingly contributing to the national economy. However, this progress faced severe setbacks in 1937 with the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, during which Japanese forces took control of Tianjin’s industrial development. The city’s strategic transport links enabled Japan to extract significant resources from North China, concentrating industrial construction in the city center and the port area. Finally, from the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 until the country’s opening up in 1978, Tianjin experienced rapid industrial recovery. Tianjin shifted toward heavy industry to meet national construction demands, further enhancing its industries’ scale and technological level. During this period, Tianjin received substantial policy support and investment, continuing to build on its existing industrial framework and achieving remarkable success, thus becoming one of the key industrial bases in the country. Tianjin’s industrial construction reflects its historical social development stages, and its industrial heritage represents the material remnants of this history, serving as a significant chapter in the narrative of China’s modern industrial evolution.

3.1.2. Distribution Center of Gravity and Migration Path

The standard deviation ellipse analysis provides a comprehensive quantitative framework to evaluate the balance, centrality, and overarching characteristics of spatial distributions of elements. The SDE analysis, as illustrated in Figure 5a, reveals that during the periods 1860–1894, 1912–1936, and 1937–1949, the spatial distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage was strongly directional and centripetal, closely associated with the main flow of the Haihe River. In contrast, during 1895–1911 and 1950–1978, the lengths of the major and minor axes of the ellipse were closely aligned, suggesting that their distribution exhibited weak directionality and centripetal force. Furthermore, the distribution did not significantly correlate with Tianjin’s water system, indicating a trend toward an inland shift.

For analyzing the results, we identified the center of gravity to elucidate the trajectories and underlying causes of the shifts in industrial heritage focal points. Figure 5b reveals four significant shifts in the distribution center of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. These shifts sequentially progress from the eastern coastal areas to the western inland regions followed by the central urban zone toward the middle and lower sections of the Haihe River, and finally, advancing into the northern inland zones.

The center of gravity migration analysis shows that from 1860 to 1911, Tianjin’s industrial heritage construction transitioned significantly from the eastern coastal zones to the western inland areas. This transition signifies a strategic shift in Tianjin’s industrial development from the coastal regions and the Hai River district to the more stable terrestrial corridors and canal-adjacent areas in the west.

Between 1895 and 1936, there was a significant geographic shift in the distribution centroid, marking a pivotal era characterized by the proliferation of leased territories in Tianjin under Yuan Shikai’s direct governance. During this period, Hebei’s new districts and the concession areas transformed into highly stable and secure development zones. Internationally, various nations initiated industrial developments within these concessions, leveraging the strategic navigational advantages of the Hai River to enhance their commercial activities.

During 1860–1894 and 1937–1978, the center of gravity migration exhibited remarkable stability. Following the establishment of Zhangguizhuang Airport, a strategic shift directed Tianjin’s transportation sector toward the more accessible downstream areas of the Hai River, thereby improving connectivity to both the airport and port facilities. Subsequently, after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Tianjin initiated the development of state-owned industrial enterprises, primarily focusing on the city’s central urban area and its surrounding suburbs.

The analysis of industrial heritage distributions across various historical stages reveals their alignment with the societal contexts of each period and a significant correlation with the main course of the Hai River. To explore the coupling relationship between industrial heritage and urban space, it is essential to analyze the spatial distribution trends over comprehensive time periods. This methodology provides an overall perspective on the spatiotemporal distribution of industrial heritage, enabling the derivation of objective laws that govern the interplay between industrial heritage and urban space.

3.2. Space Situation

3.2.1. The Spatial Distribution of Industrial Heritage Resources in Tianjin

Figure 6 delineates the spatial distribution of industrial heritage in Tianjin, illustrating these heritage sites’ spatial distribution characteristics and concentrations. The map in Figure 4 demonstrates that industrial heritage resources predominantly follow a linear distribution pattern, characterized by density at the extremes and sparsity in the center along the Hai River. This pattern is mirrored along the northern and southern trajectories of the Grand Canal through Tianjin. These linear trends converge within the central urban district, whereas a more sparse, punctate distribution characterizes Tianjin’s northern mountainous regions and surrounding suburban counties.

From the perspective of the entire urban area of Tianjin, the central urban district contains 66 industrial heritage sites, accounting for 58.92% of the total. Conversely, the suburbs host 46 sites, representing 41.07% of the total, and are notably less prevalent compared to the central district. The Binhai New Area is particularly significant among these suburban distributions, comprising 43.48% of the suburban industrial heritage sites.

The distribution of industrial heritage sites shows marked disparities among the six central districts of Tianjin. Hebei District stands out with 18 sites, accounting for 27.28% of the area’s total industrial heritage. It is closely followed by Heping District, which boasts 15 sites, representing 22.72% of the total. The approximately 10 industrial heritage sites are located in each of Hongqiao District, Hedong District, and Hexi District, collectively representing 43.94% of the central urban area’s industrial heritage. Districts of Hongqiao, Hedong, and Hexi each feature approximately ten heritage sites. In contrast, Nankai District has the sparsest distribution, with only four sites, comprising just 6.06% of the total industrial heritage within these central districts.

Based on the comprehensive analysis of the aforementioned temporal and spatial trends, the advantageous distribution of industrial heritage in Tianjin’s central urban area is closely related to the period of the city’s fastest industrial development. Notably, during the peak period of industrial growth from 1895 to 1936, Tianjin saw the addition of 57 new industrial heritage sites, constituting 50.89% of the total inventory. Specifically, in this period, the central urban district welcomed 43 new sites, accounting for 75.44% of this increase. This pattern illustrates that the foundational and growth phases of modern industry in Tianjin were primarily focused on the central urban area. It underwent two major periods of factory establishment: the time when Yuan Shikai reclaimed Tianjin and established the Beiyang government to promote industry and commerce directly under its control and the subsequent era of significant national industrial growth following the establishment of the Republic of China, which marked a robust development in national industries, landmark industrial sites such as Tianjin West Station, Yongli Alkali Factory, and Huaxin Cotton Mill emerged [40].

3.2.2. The Relationship Between the Spatial Distribution of Industrial Heritage and the Spatial Structure of the Water Systems

In contemporary Tianjin, industrial development did not result in expansive, contiguous industrial zones; instead, it was strategically distributed along the banks of the city’s main waterways [41]. Regions distant from these aquatic systems have sporadic industrial heritage sites. To effectively explore the interrelation between Tianjin’s industrial development and its urban spatial configuration, it is crucial to examine the linkage between the waterway structures and the spatial distribution of industrial heritage across the metropolitan area. Such an examination facilitates a deeper understanding of the underlying dynamics that dictate the relationship between urban space and the distribution of industrial heritage.

Industrial heritage sites situated within the Tianjin water system represent 84.82% of Tianjin’s entire industrial heritage portfolio. Mathematical statistics of these sites, as shown in

Table 1. Distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage in relation to the water system.

Water System	Center of Urban Area	Binhai New Area	Jinghai District	Xiquan District	Beichen District	Dongli District	Jizhou District	Ninghe District	Percentage Share %
Main stream of the Haihe River	34	14				1			51.58
South and North Canals	6		10	5	1				23.16
Other water systems	22						2		25.26

, indicate that industrial heritage along the main channel of the Haihe River comprises 51.58% of the total within these aquatic domains. The industrial heritage sites along the South and North Canal systems make up 23.16%, while those associated with other water systems contribute 25.26%.

In Tianjin’s central urban districts, a significant proportion of industrial heritage sites are strategically positioned along the main channel of the Haihe River, comprising 30.36% of the city’s total industrial heritage. Other water systems and the South and North Canal systems account for 19.64% and 5.36% of the total, respectively. The Binhai New Area prominently features industrial heritage sites along the Haihe River, contributing 12.50% to the total. In Jinghai and Xiqing Districts, the industrial heritage sites are primarily distributed along the South and North Canal systems, accounting for 8.93% and 4.46% of the total, respectively. In the Beichen and Dongli Districts, these sites are found along both the Canal systems and the Haihe River, with one significant site in each setting. Meanwhile, in the Jizhou District, industrial heritage sites located within other water systems make up 1.79% of Tianjin’s overall industrial heritage count.

Through the examination of the spatial distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage relative to its alignment with the area’s water systems, and taking into account temporal trends, it becomes evident that historical influences shaped by distinct phases of social and economic development have prompted unique divergences in industrial construction sites. Through the above research, it has been found that the spatial location of industrial heritage and its association with the spatial structure of the water system are linked by intrinsic historical construction elements [42]. Therefore, the following section focuses on the spatial distribution analysis of the type characteristics of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, utilizing these type characteristics and their distribution to explore the connection between industrial construction elements and urban space.

3.3. Type Characteristics

3.3.1. Structured Distribution Characteristics of Industrial Heritage Types

The Lorenz curve depicted in Figure 7 illustrates that the concentration index for Tianjin’s industrial heritage is 0.37, which underscores a notably low and uneven distribution of industrial heritage types throughout Tianjin, highlighting a predominantly dispersed structural pattern.

The distribution of industrial heritage types across Tianjin’s districts and counties (as illustrated in Figure 8) indicates that transportation-related industrial heritage sites, totaling 32, account for 28.57% of the total and command a prominent advantage. Manufacturing industrial heritage follows with 20 locations, constituting 17.86% of the total. Both chemical and mechanical industrial heritage sites are represented by 12 locations each, comprising 10.71% of the total. Textile industry heritage and buildings dedicated to industrial heritage tally 10 and 9 sites, representing 8.93% and 8.04% of the total. Sites associated with the communications, water and waste management, and refining industries are relatively less common, with a total of six, seven, and four sites, corresponding to 5.36%, 6.25%, and 3.57% of the overall distribution, respectively.

The heatmap illustrating the distribution of various types of industrial heritage across the districts of Tianjin (see Figure 8) indicates that the primary areas of most industrial heritage are the central urban area and Binhai New Area, with 66 and 20 sites, respectively. In addition, transport industrial heritage is predominant in both regions, featuring 18 sites in the central urban area and 8 in the Binhai New Area. Furthermore, the central urban area includes 10 mechanical industrial heritage sites, 9 manufacturing heritage sites, and 9 textile heritage sites. Conversely, Binhai New Area features a notable presence of chemical industrial heritage, with six sites dedicated to this category. Jinghai District is characterized by transport industrial heritage and water and waste industrial heritage, while Xiqing District primarily showcases manufacturing industrial heritage. In the remaining districts, the distribution of industrial heritage is relatively scattered, lacking any predominant type.

The analysis indicates that the spatial distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage types is not centralized but rather mirrors the patterns seen in regional spatial distributions, spreading diffusely along water systems. Transportation and manufacturing industrial heritage emerge as the predominant categories, aligning seamlessly with the era of Tianjin’s modern industrial advancement. This pattern reflects Tianjin’s unique historical significance as the economic heart of modern Northern China and the northern transportation center during the Japanese occupation, encapsulating the city’s deep industrial historical and cultural layers. Although Figure 7 and Figure 8 are based on the same underlying data, they convey and analyze distinct content. Figure 7 emphasizes a quantitative analysis of the concentration of industrial heritage, highlighting the overall density and distribution patterns across Tianjin. In contrast, Figure 8 focuses on the quantitative representation of the dominant types of industrial heritage within each area, illustrating their specific distribution relationships and prevalence.

3.3.2. Industrial Type Distribution

Figure 9 illustrates the distribution patterns of various types of industrial heritage in Tianjin, highlighting the density and directional trends of these heritage types throughout the entire geographic area of the city. From the perspective of the urban area of Tianjin, every category of industrial heritage is represented in Tianjin’s central region, where they collectively exhibit a pronounced clustered distribution.

In Tianjin’s northern region, Jizhou District exemplifies the distribution of industrial heritage, primarily characterized by water and waste management, communications, and refining industries. Notable landmarks in this area include the Dazhuang Drainage Station, Sanchakou Pumping Station, and the former site of Tianjin Radio Station’s wartime broadcast facility. These sites highlight Jizhou District’s historical efforts to manage water-related disasters through comprehensive river regulation projects initiated after the founding of the People’s Republic of China and its strategic preparedness during the tense Sino-Soviet relations [43,44].

Tianjin’s industrial heritage in the eastern region is concentrated in the Binhai New Area in the southeast. Since the port’s inauguration in 1860, the Binhai New Area has leveraged its strategic maritime and shipping advantages to become a pivotal industrial hub. This area is dotted with significant transportation heritage sites, including extensive shipyards, ports, and docks. Additionally, it is home to notable chemical industry landmarks such as the former Yellow Sea Chemical Industry Research Society, the erstwhile Tanggu Oil Depot of the Asia Oil Company, and the historic Yongli Soda Factory. These landmarks encapsulate the rise of modern foreign enterprises, the burgeoning of national capital trade, and the thriving maritime industry in Tianjin.

Tianjin’s industrial heritage is primarily concentrated in Jinghai District, located in the southwest of the city’s western region. The development of this heritage unfolds in two key historical phases. Following Yuan Shikai’s reconquest of Tianjin, the Beiyang government vigorously promoted development around the New Hebei Area and the North and South Grand Canals. This strategic initiative aimed to establish a developmental equilibrium opposing the foreign-controlled leased territories, leading to the establishment of several key transportation-related industrial heritage sites along the South Grand Canal in Jinghai. The second phase occurred post-1949, with significant enhancements in the South Grand Canal’s infrastructure, catalyzing the construction of various water and waste management industrial heritage sites. These developments underscore Jinghai’s historical focus on canal-centric industrial growth, driven by evolving demands for transportation and societal production, shaping its unique industrial legacy.

The above analysis highlights the profound impact of Tianjin’s strategic geographic location and the shifts in modern societal demands on the composition and spatial distribution of its industrial heritage. These factors illustrate the industrial production activities that have unfolded within distinct spatial and temporal contexts, thus shaping Tianjin’s unique industrial and cultural history.

3.4. Influencing Factors and Explanatory Power of Distributional Differences

The comprehensive review of existing research emphasizes the profound connection between the emergence and evolution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage and its environmental setting. This study extends current research and delineates the natural and social environmental dimensions as critical evaluative axes for assessing the spatiotemporal distribution of industrial heritage. Within the natural environment dimension, indicators such as topography, water systems, and climate, along with nine specific evaluation metrics, are systematically categorized. Conversely, in the social environment dimension, transportation, economic, population, cultural and educational factors, and policy-planning factors, along with their nine associated evaluation metrics, are methodically grouped. Therefore, this study quantifies the impact of these indicators on the variation in the distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage using the geographic detector.

Geodetectors are frequently employed to assess the spatial heterogeneity of individual variables and identify potential causal links between pairs of variables.

Table 2. Geographical detectors used to analyze the influencing factors and their explanatory power on the spatiotemporal variations in the distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage.

Dimension	Targets	Evaluation Indicators	q-Value
Natural environment	Topography and geomorphology	Topography, geomorphology, elevation data	0.004
	Green space and water system	Rivers, lakes, length of waterways, distribution of green spaces	0.018
	Climatological	Annual precipitation, average annual temperature	0.034
Social environment	Transportation factors	Roads, metro, transit, shipping	0.702
	Economic factors	GDP per capita	0.422
	Demographic factors	Total population, residential distribution	0.325
	Cultural and educational factors	Science, education, and culture	0.257
	Policy-planning factors	Land use, construction land use classification	0.031

outlines the findings derived from using geodetectors to assess the impact of various determinants on the influence exerted by Tianjin’s industrial heritage. Here, q values range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating a more pronounced influence of the driving factors and lower values indicating a lesser influence. According to these q values, the natural environment does not exert a significant influence on the spatial distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage. Conversely, the social environment markedly influences the variation in the distribution of industrial heritage across Tianjin. With the exception of policy and planning considerations, all other measured indicators are impactful.

In the realm of the social environment, the explanatory potency of various indicators on the spatial disparities of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, ranked in descending order of influence, is as follows: transportation factors > economic factors > population factors > cultural and educational factors > policy-planning factors. Notably, transportation factors underpin the distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, demonstrating the most robust explanatory power (0.702). Examining Tianjin’s modern industrialization process reveals that areas with relatively advantageous road transportation tend to have denser distributions of industrial heritage. These areas also have significant advantages in the protection and development of industrial heritage. The Miansan Creative District and the Tiantuo Creative Park are exemplary models of industrial heritage preservation and development in Tianjin. Economic factors (0.422), population factors (0.325), and cultural and educational factors (0.257) exert a considerable influence on the distribution of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, as these factors are pivotal in supporting its protection and development. For instance, the six urban districts and the Binhai New Area typically expedite and streamline policy-making for the conservation and utilization of industrial heritage compared to other districts and counties. Worker communities were originally established as supporting facilities for industrial heritage construction. During later stages of urban development, the continuous changes in community demographics, the development of new communities, and the relocation and demolition of old communities have led population factors to occupy a significant position among the influencing factors of industrial heritage [45]. Owing to the higher aggregate GDP and the more abundant cultural, educational, and scientific industries in the central urban area and the Binhai New Area, the potential for repurposing industrial heritage is enhanced, accompanied by a broader spectrum of methods and approaches.

In Tianjin’s modern industrialization trajectory, the strategic placement of industrial construction is predominantly influenced by transportation considerations. Efficient transportation infrastructure is instrumental in streamlining the processing and logistics of industrial raw materials, thereby bolstering economic efficiency [46]. As a result, the natural environment plays a secondary role in Tianjin’s industrial expansion, which is reflected in the limited explanatory influence of the natural environment on the spatial variations in Tianjin’s industrial heritage as assessed by geographic detector analysis.

4. Discussion

The analysis results demonstrate the impact of environmental factors on the development of industrial heritage, as indicated below.

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Temporal pattern

In terms of temporal trends, the overall increase in industrial heritage in Tianjin demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory characterized by fluctuations over time. The years 1912 to 1936 represent a pivotal turning point. Before this period, the growth rate of industrial heritage steadily increased, while subsequently, it slowed down before experiencing a resurgence. From the standpoint of temporal distribution, both the central urban area and the Binhai New Area encompass industrial developments spanning various periods, yet these areas face developmental conflicts with other types of heritage. Conversely, other regions exhibit traits of temporal discontinuity in their industrial heritage, resulting in a failure to maintain a cohesive industrial culture. Overall, these temporal trends align closely with the prevailing political landscape and urban development dynamics.

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Spatial pattern

In terms of spatial trends, Tianjin’s industrial heritage primarily displays a linear distribution, with point distributions supplementing it, clustering along corridors within the central urban area. The characteristics of this spatial distribution are significantly influenced by transportation networks. Overall, the distribution of industrial heritage across the city is markedly uneven, with a concentrated quantity found in the central urban area. In contrast, the Binhai New Area and Jinghai District contain a larger number of heritage sites, albeit with fewer types. Other districts exhibit sparse or even nonexistent quantities of industrial heritage. This pattern illustrates how urban space facilitates the configuration of heritage, while the reuse of such heritage is constrained by inherent contradictions within the urban environment.

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Distribution type characteristics

The distribution of industrial heritage types reveals a decentralized characteristic, with transportation industrial heritage occupying a dominant position among all categories, followed by manufacturing and communication industrial heritage. Various types of industrial heritage are present in the central urban area, whereas transportation and chemical industrial heritage are the predominant types in the Binhai New Area and Jinghai District. Manufacturing industrial heritage is chiefly concentrated in Xiqing and Jinghai. Other types of industrial heritage are distributed unevenly, each with distinct focal points. These distribution characteristics reflect the historical industrial development of different regions and significantly influence the spatial system and composition of industrial heritage.

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Influencing factors and explanatory power

The results of the influence factor analysis reveal that the social environment has a considerable impact, ranked in the following order: transportation factors > economic factors > population factors > cultural and educational factors. Within the context surrounding industrial heritage, issues such as transportation isolation, population segregation, sluggish economic development, neglect of cultural industries, and the bottlenecks faced in urban renewal significantly influence the future reuse of industrial heritage.

Reusing industrial heritage presents a complex, long-term challenge for sustainable development. Gentrification, a common consequence of heritage reuse, can erode the original community’s culture and historical identity, leading to a weakened sense of cultural belonging. As property values and living costs rise, original residents are often displaced, and industrial heritage sites are converted into luxury shops or residences, stripping these sites of their historical significance. Additionally, the societal re-evaluation of heritage value may result in certain sites being viewed as obsolete, reducing the impetus for their protection and reuse. Diverging perceptions of heritage value among stakeholders can create conflicts, while market volatility may diminish the economic feasibility of reuse projects. Furthermore, urban expansion poses the threat of demolition for some heritage sites, as changes in surrounding land use reduce spatial efficiency and disrupt the heritage’s original context. These shifts can also hinder residents’ ability to adapt, increasing social instability within communities. The interconnected challenges of gentrification, evolving values, and land use transformation significantly impact the sustainable development of industrial heritage. To safeguard its lasting value amid modern urban development, a holistic approach that incorporates spatiotemporal analysis and encourages collaboration among stakeholders is crucial.

5. Conclusions

This study examines the temporal, spatial, and typological distribution patterns of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, along with the influence of environmental factors. The temporal distribution of industrial heritage in Tianjin reveals a coherent trajectory, with early origins and a later peak, which reflects the historical development of the modern era. A dual-core distribution centered in both the central urban area and the Binhai New Area is observed in Tianjin. Spatially, the heritage exhibits a corridor-like pattern, with densely populated linear corridors in the east and west and a relative sparsity in the central region. This pattern is closely linked to the spatial structure of Tianjin’s water systems. The typological distribution highlights diversity, with transportation industrial heritage as the dominant type, followed by manufacturing, chemical, and mechanical heritage, which are predominantly concentrated in the central urban area. Various factors influence this distribution, with transportation playing the most significant role, followed by economic, demographic, and cultural factors.

Based on these findings, this study proposes three strategic approaches: a historical and cultural protection strategy aimed at fostering the sustainable development of cultural heritage, an environmental spatial planning strategy to facilitate urban renewal and sustainable growth, and an industrial development strategy to support sustainable urban economic development. Collectively, these strategies establish a framework for the sustainable development of both industrial heritage and urban growth, offering practical policy recommendations for the effective reuse of Tianjin’s industrial heritage.

Tianjin’s industrial heritage is a testament to the city’s modernization journey and serves as a crucial material embodiment of its regional culture. Building upon the current spatial–temporal patterns and integrating a quantitative analysis of environmental factors, we present theoretical recommendations for the following strategies for the sustainable development of industrial heritage:

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Historical and cultural aspects: By integrating the temporal characteristics of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, the development and utilization of these sites can be more effectively connected to the city’s modern industrial evolution. This would allow for the creation of unique industrial tourism initiatives, such as the “Modern Industrial Historical Route” [47,48,49]. Prioritizing the protection of transportation-related industrial heritage and other prominent heritage types through an industrial clustering strategy is advisable. This approach aims to preserve regional industrial memories while emphasizing the distinctive features of local industrial culture. Such initiatives not only broaden the scope of cultural preservation for industrial heritage but also lay a solid foundation for differentiated reuse, fostering the sustainable development of cultural heritage in Tianjin.

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Environmental spatial planning: The reuse and protection of industrial heritage should be closely aligned with environmental spatial planning efforts. This involves considering the spatial characteristics of industrial heritage to facilitate urban renewal and sustainable growth [50,51,52,53,54,55]. By implementing a spatial clustering strategy that focuses on key areas, the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage can be integrated into broader urban development plans [56,57]. Additionally, spatial strategies should take into account the environmental and infrastructural needs to promote efficient reuse while contributing to the city’s spatial efficiency and long-term sustainability.

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Sustainable development: Utilizing Tianjin’s industrial layout strategy of “two belts clustering, dual cities optimizing, intelligence valley upgrading, and group linkage” leverages spatial characteristics to accommodate diverse industrial spatial structures [58,59,60]. This approach expands the methods for protecting and utilizing industrial heritage, establishing a multidimensional framework for development. Factoring in construction costs, community vitality, development potential, and long-term sustainability, this collaborative strategy continuously revitalizes the urban environment [61,62,63,64]. Enhancing the involvement of industrial heritage in both economic and cultural dimensions significantly contributes to the sustainable advancement of Tianjin’s economy.

This study serves as a foundational examination of pressing issues in heritage conservation and utilization, including the gentrification of heritage, the evolution of heritage value, and shifts in land use patterns. Research into the distribution trends of industrial heritage and the influence of environmental factors can effectively address the deterioration of industrial heritage value and culture from the perspectives of historical context and typological spatial distributions [65]. Furthermore, analyzing industrial heritage through the lens of urban spatial patterns can illuminate the functional and meaningful losses that arise from changes in land use [66]. Additionally, addressing the impacts of gentrification—such as rising housing costs, alterations in cultural and economic structures, and the deterioration of heritage value—on the sustainable development of industrial and cultural heritage from an environmental perspective is essential [67]. This approach provides a solid foundation for the protection and adaptive reuse of industrial and cultural heritage, thereby promoting the ongoing advancement of relevant research.

The reuse of industrial heritage constitutes a complex system in which environmental factors play a pivotal role in ensuring long-term sustainability. This concern extends beyond the material aspects of heritage reuse and involves the sustainable development of its intangible dimensions, such as cultural significance and historical value. This study presents a framework for the reuse of industrial heritage, facilitating comprehensive planning from the perspective of urban spatial configurations. By leveraging the methodologies discussed, cities can more effectively protect and utilize industrial heritage, enabling a clearer and more intuitive identification of reuse opportunities. This approach helps address challenges associated with land use transformation while also being adaptable to other heritage types, such as historical urban buildings, cultural landscapes, and cultural heritage sites. The methods used in this study are flexible and can be further enhanced by integrating big data technologies to quantify spatial patterns, analyze influencing factors, and predict trends and risks in heritage protection as spatial–temporal dynamics evolve.