Workshop of the Hà Nội Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Corporation on Hoàng Hoa Thám Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội. The corporation is in the list of  92 old industrial factories that will be moved out of Hà Nội. — Photo kintedothi.vn

HÀ NỘI — The transformation of industrial heritages like old factories and construction sites into creative spaces was the main topic of a round-table discussion in Hà Nội on December 16.

The event was held by the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports and the Architecture Magazine in collaboration with the Hà Nội’s People Committee and the Việt Nam Association of Architects as part of activities in the Hà Nội creative space design contest.

At the event, participants heard that the transformation of industrial heritages such as old factories in the inner city into new creative and start-up hubs, service and tourism sites was a popular trend. Many old factories were converted into spaces for artistic, creative and start-up activities. The transformation both enriches the culture and history of the city and creates an open environment that attracts the participation of artists and people.

Experts said that 92 old factories are on a list of facilities in Hà Nội. 

“Old factories have diverse architecture, large spaces suitable for crowded event and can be flexibly used for creative purposes. Converting old factories into creative hubs will preserve the industrial heritage as well as the historical identity of Hà Nội,” said architect Phạm Thúy Loan, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Architecture.

Loan said that the partial or full conversion of old factories into creative hubs can significantly complement the lack of public entertainment spaces in the city.

At the discussion, participants agreed that many old factories in Hà Nội that contain cultural-historical values, reminding people of a historical period of the capital. Each factory has its own characteristics, so if properly preserved, this will be a resource for Hà Nội to develop into a creative city.

A field survey conducted by the People’s Participation Working Group at 39 factories that must be relocated in Hai Bà Trưng and Thanh Xuân districts revealed that 21 had been relocated. Of which, 19 were turned into trading centres, one became an elevated street and one was used for building a private university. — VNS